Reykjavík Grapevine - 06.08.2004, Qupperneq 24

by Marcie Hume
Everyone has seen Albert’s privates. The
photo that advertises the Finnish photog-
raphy exhibit features Albert, large and
one-legged, standing naked with a pig,
enveloped in hot, steamy water. That
picture is everywhere, on signs and
in magazines, and after months of
such image saturation you can’t
help but presume Albert to be
some kind of modern-day
Norse god of steam-
baths.
After gaining such a strong presence in this town
it’s impossible not to stop by and see the photo-
graphs. Albert, perhaps, draws you in but the pho-
tos are not as plentiful as you’d expect with such an
extensive advertising campaign. They are, however,
engaging. In a scene which is apparently an example
of classic Finnish humor, Albert sits around with
some friends in disgusting squalor, playing instru-
ments in a sort of surreal disorder. Another photo
depicts Albert having a conversation in a pub while
two men strangle one another at the next table.
Even at first glance, these scenarios don’t seem
particularly authentic. And in fact all the photos of
Albert are staged. The series blurs the line between
the function of photography as documentary and its
use as a creative tool, manufacturing situations which
are more pointed towards satire. The exaggerated
circumstances are perhaps scenes from his actual every
day life, but here they are calibrated to an absurd level,
apparently embodying the essence of Finnish humour…
which can be described as dry, to say the least.
To add to the proliferation of Albert’s image, his home city of
Kotka, Finland runs a website with a special section dedicated to
Albert (www.kotka.fi/albert). This site aims to present his daily life
in Kotka and refers to him as an “exhilarating cyber star”. The illus-
tration of Albert’s life is presented as a very serious enterprise; another
example of Finnish humor. Also on the website are snippets of Albert’s
musings for his local newspaper, where he has furnished such quotes as:
“At the age of 46 I still have my own teeth. And the fact that I do is due to
my upbringing.”
Albert is a miracle of nature to be sure, and part of the charm of the pho-
tographs is the intimacy with which you can see Albert’s face, his mesmerizing,
scrambled set of teeth, and in fact every sinew of his body. At some level, the fact that
his stances are fabricated becomes irrelevant. A sort of distillation of Albert emerges,
some blend of glee and resolve painted on his face.
All this attention on Albert does not bode well for the rest of the artists featured in this
show, but each photograph in the small exhibit is respectable, the type of clear, rich images
which allow you to feel that you are seeing completely into a different realm. But you just can’t
help but focus on Albert. Perhaps it’s the pig.
The show is located on the 6th floor of the downtown library until 29 August.
THIS MAN IS REAL
A case of a basket or a basket
case by Eydís Björnsdóttir
In 1957, the old farmstead Árbær was chosen to be
Reykjavík’s public park and open-air museum with old
houses of historical value. Among the current exhibi-
tions is a recollection of the Fifties where a day in the
life of six people of all ages is duly documented. To
recreate the atmosphere of that time, they’ve even rec-
reated the home of one family in Reykjavík as it was in
1958. The exhibition was created by students of history
at the University of Iceland.
Among other exhibitions are a car work shop, a house
filled with the tools of bookbinding and then, of
course, there is the history of Reykjavík from the time
of settlement to the present day. The museum has em-
ployed some people to dress up in old clothing and just
be there in order to make the museum friskier. And
the visit wouldn’t have been the same without the two
adorable old ladies sitting in the loft of the old farm-
stead, weaving and spinning, willing to converse on any
subject as long as it’s about baskets. Our conversation
went something like this:
My friend: What do you use the wool for once you’ve
worked it? Do you sell it or do you make anything out
of it?
Old spinning lady: I spin the wool into a thread and
put it in the basket.
Me: And does the museum sell it or..?
Old spinning lady: This is the basket I put the thread
into.
Me: What were the evening wakes like where you
grew up?
Old knitting lady: The mistress of the house would
have been angry at me for taking such a long time to
do these little shoes, for doing such detailed work.
Me: Were you required to make a specific amount of
knitwear per week?
Old knitting lady: We made the shoes from fish skin.
However, the most memorable sight at the museum
must surely be a little placard describing a gold drilling
machine imported from Germany in 1922. It was used
to drill for gold in Vatnsmýri. Needless to say, none
was found. All that and much, much more can be seen
at Árbær museum, open until the end of August.
����� ARTS
Klink og Bank, August 8th, 21.00
NÝHIL POETRY ORGY
The poets and art terrorists of Nýhil have been quiet lately,
due to the defection of some of its members abroad. But
as these have returned, the group is now operating at full
strength and will flex its muscles next Sunday. Presenter
is the “eloquent revolutionary” Viðar Þorsteinsson, and
it is possible, if not perhaps probable, that the Western
Icelander Todd Richardson will put in an appearance. As
always hooliganism at the events is not just expected but
demanded and maybe, just maybe, the orgy will live up to
its name as the night wears on.
CULTUREand
The Living Art Museum
ALDREI - NIE - NEVER
Is back in action after its summer hiatus.18 artists have
been selected by Hlynur Hallsson to participate in a di-
verse group exhibition which opens on the 3rd of August.
The project boasts the title “ALDREI - NIE – NEVER”
The museum has primarily been a venue for exhibitions
and various creative events, but it is becoming increas-
ingly focused on its position as a setting for both domestic
and foreign artists to exchange opinions and ideas. This
exhibition covers three cities simultaneously (Reykjavík!
Berlin! and Akureyri!), with six artists’ work displayed in
each location.
Safn
TWO EXHIBITIONS
One by the German painter Katharina Grosse Her work is
all about colour and the installation of it in the exhibition
space. Thus she paints directly on walls, floors, ceilings and
on everything else for that matter, but also on traditional
canvas, using a brush and a paint gun. The other is Eggert
Pétursson who throughout his career, both as an illustrator
and an artist, flowers have been his primary motif in this
exhibition he depicts the Icelandic flora with its minuscule
flowers and heather.
Ásmundarsafn
THE MAN AND MATERIAL
A retrospective exhibit of the sculptor’s work. The exhibit
aims to create a memorable time for visitors of all ages,
and children are encouraged to explore and play while
learning about the artist and his history. Plus, with an
admission ticket to the Roni Horn exhibit, your ticket is
good for this show as well if you visit on the same day.
Gallery i8
THEY KEEP THE SHADES UP
FOR YOU
The general consensus has not yet been reached on this
gallery, but for now it comes tentatively recommended. It
currently features works by Jeanine Cohen of Brussels. If
worse comes to worse, you can do a drive by and see pretty
much everything. The gallery’s opening hours are a bit
obscure, but usually they leave the shades up and you can
get the gist.
H
.S
.
By the Reykjavík harbour
Suðurbugt Reykjavík harbour
Tel: 551 5101
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