London’s Somerset House is gearing up for its exhibition “Björk Digital,” and it’s looking for volunteers to staff the show—even though it’s charging £15.00 admission (about $20).
The museum, which boasted 2.5 million annual visitors, according to its last annual report, says on its website:
We are currently seeking Björk fans, music and video lovers, all those interested in digital arts and virtual reality (VR) to assist with the Björk Digital exhibition that opens in September. This is an immersive virtual reality exhibition from Icelandic icon Björk. No VR experience necessary! Volunteers will help the visitor with VR equipment assist them on their journey through Bjork’s remarkable work.
While it’s a volunteer job, the museum is covering travel and refreshment expenses, and is asking volunteers to work two or more half-day sessions per week over the show’s seven-week run. “You decide the time that you give, we ask for your commitment and reliability,” says the museum on its website. “If you would like to join us and feel you are able to commit to regular volunteering, there are many exciting projects and prospects for you.”
However, Twitter users are having a field day with the call for volunteers.
The museum said in a statement to artnet News that “Volunteers at Somerset House never act as a substitute for paid employees and the Trust does not recruit volunteers to replace or displace them.”
The show will include Black Lake, the video that was commissioned by New York’s Museum of Modern Art and that premiered at the musician’s notorious exhibition there, as well as the video Mouthmantra, shot inside the musician’s oral cavity, and Notget VR, which casts her as “a digital moth giantess.”
Björk is also playing a single concert in the UK this year at London’s Royal Albert Hall on September 21.
Björk Digital will be on view at Somerset House, London, September 1–October 23.