Reykjavík Grapevine - 13.06.2003, Qupperneq 18

Reykjavík Grapevine - 13.06.2003, Qupperneq 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,

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