Reykjavík Grapevine - 13.06.2003, Síða 18

- the reykjavik grapevine -18 may 15 - may 29, 2003 - the reykjavik grapevine - 19may 15 - may 29, 2003
On the 17th of June 1944 at Þingvellir,
amid pouring rain and beating wind,
Iceland was declared a Republic. The
decision had been a hurried one. A
symbol for the events was ordered, and
designed, fittingly enough, in the USA.
Flagpoles were shipped in and arrived
just in time, but only about a third of
the flags were ready, leading to quite
a few flagpoles remaining unadorned.
To maintain the respectability of the
proceedings, liquor stores were closed
without warning a few days before the
event. A president was elected, and
Sveinn Björnsson won, although the
vote counters had problems counting
the soaked votes as their desks were
awash with rain. A very wet president
signed the oath on a document that
still bears evidence of the weather, and
Iceland became an independent country
for the first time since 1262.
At that time, it had come under the King
of Norway, which in turn had become a
part of the Kingdom of Denmark. When
Norway was handed over to Sweden as
a result of the Napoleonic Wars, Iceland
remained a part of Denmark. In the
19th Century, some people started
clamouring for independence. The
Danes resisted such efforts, not least
because of the large German minority
within the Kingdom, which might grow
restless if they were given the precedent
of greater rights for another minority
groups. Icelanders, undeterred, did
not resort to violence, but instead those
most passionate about independence
went to Copenhagen to study law, and
tried to wear the Danes down with
legalism and general annoyance. The
National Hero, Jón Sigurðsson, was one
of these and his statue still overlooks
Austurvöllur, facing the parliament
building. What influence his stern gaze
has upon modern day politicians as they
exit the building is open to conjecture,
perhaps they are more impressed by his
portrait on the 500 krónur bill.
On the Denmarks southern border,
events were less peaceful in the 19th
Century, and in 1866 war broke out
with Germany. Denmark’s southern
provinces were incorporated into the
Reich, including a large number of
Danes. Denmark’s position had now
reversed, from being a state trying
to keep its own minorities compliant,
to one trying to regain its nationals
currently living as a minority in another
country. Hence, it had to appear
more benevolent towards different
nationalities, to prove they were a better
government to be living under than the
German one. The effects were soon
felt in Iceland, and in 1874 the Danish
king Christian IX presented Iceland with
its first constitution. 30 years later,
Iceland achieved home rule and its
first minister (statues of both of these
can be seen outside Stjórnarráðið, the
seat of government.) After World War
I, according to the principle of the right
of nations to self-determination, Iceland
became an independent state within
the Danish Kingdom, with the added
stipulation that it could opt out of the
Kingdom 25 years later. This event may
once again have been connected with
Denmark’s desire to get its southern
provinces back and in 1920 it duly did,
after a referendum was held. However,
it had problems with the Germans again
in 1940 when they invaded the country
on the 9th of April. The Icelandic
government now declared that it would
conduct its own foreign affairs while the
occupation lasted. The political situation
changed again a month later when the
British invaded Iceland. Nevertheless,
Iceland opened embassies in those
surrounding countries that were still
independent, and in 1944, after the
agreement with Denmark had lapsed,
a referendum was held and 97.4% of
the population voted for independence.
The day picked for the declaration was
the 17th of June, Jón Sigurðssons
birthday, and celebrations were held
on that particularly rain soaked day.
Tradition since dictates that it always
rains on that day. Iceland became a
republic in the unusual circumstances
that Denmark was still under German
occupation, and with Iceland now under
American protection. In 1994, 50 years
of independence were celebrated and
this reporter remembers one of the
highlights being Björk dropping down in
a parachute to sing, upon landing, The
Anchor Song in Icelandic. This year, on
the 59th Anniversary, we will probably
have to make do with speechmaking
and flag-waving. And if it rains, we’ll
remember the sacrifices our forefathers
made, so that we might be rained upon
as a free and independent people.
LISTINGS
ABSENT IN THE LAND OF ICE AND SNOW
While clean air and unpolluted
water can sometimes be hard to
find in rest of the world, mass
transit is quite absent in Iceland.
Icelanders have domestic flights
and international flights, but no
trains, trams or subways and only a
handful of ferries. This total absence
of these rather common ways of
transportation is due to quite a
few reasons, very few potential
passengers (there are just so many
Icelanders) very many privately
owned cars, and last but not least,
the landscape is not conducive to
such constructions. From in the
south Reykjavik to Akureyri in the
north would cost so much it would
simply never come close to being
profitable.. For those of you into
history, there has only ever been
one train in Iceland and not for
human cargo The train served the
purpose of moving rocks from one
part of Reykjavik (where Restaurant
Perlan is now) to the harbor, which
was then being built. Strangly in
Icelandic, there is a word for trams,
“sporvagnar” absurd considering
they’ve never had any.
E V E N T S
17. JÚNÍ
A flag on a pole.
Gallery i8, Eggert Pé-
tursson, paintings.
May 5th- June 28th.
Opened in 1995 and headed by Edda
Jónsdóttir, the i8 gallery is the only
private gallery in Iceland that adheres
to international standards of profes-
sionalism and dedication to the artist
it represents. The galleries biggest flaw
is limited opening hours, but it can be
opened by request, especially if you are
a potential buyer.
The gallery has brought numerous
international artists to Reykjavik for
exhibitions, including American Roni
Horn, Swedish team of Elmgreen and
Dragset, and Berlin-based expatriate
Icelander Olafur Elíasson.
The exhibition showing now is the
works of painter Eggert Pétursson, and
his theme for the exhibition are flowers,
painted in extreme details, so extreme
that it is almost hard to believe the
paintings are real. Brushstrokes of paint
are piled on top of each other. The re-
sult is a contrived natural environment.
Flowers and foliage shaped from color,
constantly changing shapes by the light
shined upon them.
Admission is free
Open 11-18, Thursdays and Fridays
And whenever for those with Swiss
bank accounts.
The Nordic House, The
Big Nordic Elephant
Show.
24th May - 18th August
The Nordic house aims to introduce the
culture of the other Nordic countries to
Iceland, and Icelandic culture to the other
Nordic countries. This summer the theme
is that Scandinavian favorite, the elephant.
Althoug rarely sighted in these parts, ex-
cept for the pink variety, they still occupy a
special place in this reporters heart. Who,
growing up, doesn´t remember wishing
that they could have their own elephant,
or even that they could be an elephant?
Now you can. For as the poet said: “
some people are born elephants, some
achieve elephantness, and others have
elephantness thrust upon them.” This
summer you can relive your childhood
fantasies at an elephant themed exhibition
by three danish artists. People in elephant
costumes especially welcome. 200 kr to
get in, free for children under six. Open
Tuesdays to Fridays 10-16, Saturdays to
Sundays 12-17. The premises also houses
a Nordic library, cafeteria and an exhibition
of photo´s from Iceland, Greenland and the
Faraoe Islands.
vietnamese artist Claire Xuan.
Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum, The works of
Iceland´s first modern sculptor, whose works are
partly based on Icelandic folklore.
Ásmundarsafn, Sculpture museum, The works
of popular sculptor Ásmundar Sveinsson, who
believed sculpture should be part of the urban
environment.
Tuesday, June 17
Reðursafnið, Phallological Museum, A fine
penis and penis related selection from various
mammals. First human specimen still awaited.
Hafnarborg Art Gallery, Anniversary exhibition
from the museum collection.
Austurvöllur out door exhibition, Earth from
Above. Aerial Photographs by Yann Arthus-
Bertrand.
National and University Library, Exhibition of
Lárus Sigurbjörnsson, the founder of the city´s
documentation.
Gerðuberg, Cultural Center, Images of Iceland -
milestones in cartography
Downtown Reykjavík, June 17th-National Holiday.
Celebrations start at Austurvöllur in the morning.
Nýlistasafnið, The Living Art Museum, Matthew
Barney´s Cremaster project. Photographic works,
sculptures and films.
Árbæjarsafn, Folk Museum, National costumes
and folkdances. Guests are encouraged to wear
their national costumes.
Sólon, Photo exhibition
Gerðuberg, Cultural Center, Photographs of the
bridges of Highway 1, which encircles the whole
island.
Gerðarsafn, Kóparvogur Art Gallery,
Retospective of sculptor Gerdur Helgadottir´s work,
in honour of her 75th birthday.
Kjarvalsstaðir Art Museum, Some of the works
of painter Jóhannes Kjarval.
Grand Rokk, The band Rass and guests
Norræna húsið, Nordic House, The Big Nordic
Elephant Show. Children dressed up as elephants
especially welcome.
Reykjavik Museum of Photography, The Five
Elements. Photographs and etchings from french-
vietnamese artist Claire Xuan.
Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum, The works of
Iceland´s first modern sculptor, whose works are
partly based on Icelandic folklore.
Ásmundarsafn, Sculpture museum, The works
of popular sculptor Ásmundar Sveinsson, who
believed sculpture should be part of the urban
environment.
Wednesday, June 18
Reðursafnið, Phallological Museum, A fine
penis and penis related selection from various
mammals. First human specimen still awaited.
Hafnarborg Art Gallery, Anniversary exhibition
from the museum collection.
Austurvöllur out door exhibition, Earth from
Above. Aerial Photographs by Yann Arthus-
Bertrand.
National and University Library, Exhibition of
Lárus Sigurbjörnsson, the founder of the city´s
documentation.
Gerðuberg, Cultural Center, Images of Iceland -
milestones in cartography
Nýlistasafnið, The Living Art Museum, Matthew
Barney´s Cremaster project. Photographic works,
sculptures and films.
Sólon, Photo exhibition
Gerðuberg, Cultural Center, Photographs of the
bridges of Highway 1, which encircles the whole
island.
Kjarvalsstaðir Art Museum, Some of the works
of painter Jóhannes Kjarval.
Norræna húsið, Nordic House, The Big Nordic
Elephant Show. Children dressed up as elephants
especially welcome.
Reykjavik Museum of Photography, The Five
Elements. Photographs and etchings from french-
vietnamese artist Claire Xuan.
Coffee shop 11, The girls provide the rock.
Thursdays. Various events. Fridays. House DJ.
Saturdays. Jukebox night.
Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum, The works of
Iceland´s first modern sculptor, whose works are
partly based on Icelandic folklore.
Ásmundarsafn, Sculpture museum, The works
of popular sculptor Ásmundar Sveinsson, who
believed sculpture should be part of the urban
environment.
Thursday, June 19
Reðursafnið, Phallological Museum, A fine
penis and penis related selection from various
mammals. First human specimen still awaited.
Hafnarborg Art Gallery, Anniversary exhibition
from the museum collection.
Árbæjarsafn, Folk Museum, Chiselling I. A 3
hour beginners course in wood chiselling for the
whole family.
Austurvöllur out door exhibition, Earth from
Above. Aerial Photographs by Yann Arthus-
Bertrand.
National and University Library, Exhibition of
Lárus Sigurbjörnsson, the founder of the city´s
documentation.
Gerðuberg, Cultural Center, Images of Iceland -
milestones in cartography
Nýlistasafnið, The Living Art Museum, Matthew
Barney´s Cremaster project. Photographic works,