Reykjavík Grapevine - 02.07.2008, Blaðsíða 26

26 | REYKJAVÍK GRAPEVINE | ISSUE 08—2008
ARTICLE By Steinunn jakoBSdÓttir — photo By gaSICELAND SURVIVAL GUIDE
Artists Davíð Örn Halldórsson and Alexander Zak-
lynsky bring together a group of 12 artists in a di-
verse and highly stimulating exhibition at the Lost
Horse Gallery. Set inside one of the oldest houses
in downtown Reykjavík, a 19th century stable to
be exact, the exhibition ‘June 17th’, is sort of a ret-
rospective of the younger generation of Icelandic
painters.
The exhibition opened with a crowded cel-
ebration on June 17, Iceland’s National Day. Davíð
Örn explains that with the exhibition they wanted
to show the public what the young artists are up
to and also revive old traditions in the art-world
that were common around mid-last-century. “At
that time, it was popular to have large group-
exhibitions opening on June 17, for example in
Listamannaskálinn (The Artists’ Gallery, opened
by The Association of Icelandic Artists in 1943).
This beautiful tradition has somehow vanished.
We wanted to bring it back and invite the nation
to a group show on the National Day again.”
Although all the artists experiment with
painting in their creations, the outcome is quite
diverse. “This is a s schizophrenic exhibition. The
artists are all working on such completely differ-
ent things,” says Davíð Örn. Asked whether the
paintings are supposed to have references to the
National Day he replies: “We didn’t set out with
that in mind, but it is fun to see afterwards, look-
ing at the paintings, how the connections start to
appear, these links to the national pride, whether
it is in the form of animals, balloons, or something
else.”
The exhibition runs until July 22. The Lost
Horse Gallery is open on weekends from 13 to 19
and on weekdays from 11 to 17 or by appointment.
Painting the National Pride
12 young artists unite for a schizophrenic exhibition in an old stable
a Painting By Þrándur ÞórarinSSon.
WhERE
The Lost Horse Gallery
Skólastræti 1, 101 Reykjavík
WhEN
June 17 - July 22
WhO
Tómas Magnússon
Davíð Örn Halldórsson
Halldór Ragnarsson
Jóhanna Helga Þorkelsdóttir
Hrafnhildur Guðmundsdóttir
Guðmundur Thoroddsen
Þrándur Þórarinsson
Bergþór Morthens,
Helgi Örn Pétursson,
Katrín Friðriksdóttir
Alexander Zaklynsky
Aron Bergmann
Polar bears have featured prominently in Icelan-
dic news lately, since two of them were spotted
(and eventually killed “for reasons of national se-
curity”) north in Skagafjörður. However, one burn-
ing question remains: How do you react if you en-
counter a polar bear on a relaxing stroll through
Skagafjörður?
Even if they are deliciously cute, polar bears
(Ursus maritimus) are pretty scary animals. Typi-
cally weighing a hefty 4-600 kilos, polar bears are
the largest land carnivores, and they need to eat
50-75 seals annually. They can go from 0-30 km/h
in an instant, their teeth are jagged and their claws
are sharp. And while they don’t rate people highly
as a source of nutrition, they will not hesitate to
attack if they feel threatened. And if they are hun-
gry, they will eat you, unless your name is Chuck
Norris. Here are some helpful tips:
ONE Polar bears will usually avoid confrontation
with humans and run away, even though they are
very curious. Try and assess the situation proper-
ly, a very young or very old bears that have trouble
finding prey are more likely to attack than others,
for instance. Under no circumstance should you
assume that the bear will avoid you.
TWO If you spot a polar bear in the area, it is high-
ly likely that another one is close by.
ThREE A polar bear is likely to attack if it feels
surprised or in danger. If you can’t avoid them,
make sure they spot you at a distance. Do not
appear suddenly at a short distance, and do not
sneak up on them. You will be killed.
fOUR Do not look a polar bear in the eye – that
is an act of aggression. Make yourself visible if the
bear moves towards you and try and make some
noise by shouting, clapping or any other means
available to you. This sometimes works to scare
them off.
fIVE Even if you are carrying a gun, hesitate to
use it. A single shot is highly unlikely to down a
polar bear. It is more likely to piss him off.
SIx If the bear keeps coming, fire warning shots
in its general direction (but not at it). Continue
this for a while, this should be enough to drive the
bear away.
SEVEN A saying about bears and small handguns
goes: “If you bring a handgun for bear-protection,
remember to always travel with someone who
runs slower than you.” That says a lot.
EIGhT If you are forced to shoot at a polar bear
(which should always be a last resort measure),
aim for the chest, below the neck, or shoulders.
Their heads are surprisingly small and hard. Keep
shooting until it is perfectly still. Then leave and
alert authorities.
NINE If none of this works, you are truly fucked.
Sorry.
How to Fight a
Polar Bear
By haukur S. magnúSSon
“They put on such a
beautiful meal for us.
We had the most
amazing freshest fish I've
ever had in my life.
It was all so perfectly
cooked too...Beautiful!”
Jamie Oliver’s Diary
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