Reykjavík Grapevine - 18.06.2010, Síða 40
28
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 08 — 2010
Art | Festival
“Our original idea was that we
needed one platform for different
kinds of art. In Iceland we have a lot
of festivals for film, art and music
but nothing that has everything un-
der one roof,” explains Hildur Maral
Hamíðsdóttir, one of the organisers
of the brand new jónsvaka festival.
So they built a roof, they called it
Jónsvaka and they claim it embraces
all the corners and crevices of the local
artistic world.
The bash makes its début on June
24th, over the Jónsmessa weekend
(which is a sort of local version of
Midsummer’s Day/Night). Indeed, that
is when the sun reaches its highest
waking peak and we all get a lil' dis-
orientated. Hildur and her co-organiser,
Harpa Fönn Sigurjónsdóttir, plan to get
Reykjavík buzzing with tangible cre-
ativity and imagination over the period,
particularly amongst the young folk.
They tell us the festivities will be
scattered all over Reykjavík in the form
of art exhibits, street performances
and evening concerts. If they are right,
you are likely bound to stumble into
something nifty downtown at that time.
Designers will also take the stage in a
fashion show on the opening night at
the Reykjavík Art Museum, along with
a PopUp store over the weekend selling
all sorts of fashionable goods. Sounds
fun!
The bash also plays host to a three-
day concert programme at NASA, of-
fering all sorts of hot young bands and
their older scene brethren. They also
plan to integrate music and artsy as-
pects into single performances with
collaborations between artists.
It sounds good, right? At least it did
to us, so we met up with Harpa Hildur to
seek a lowdown:
Why now?
Harpa: We felt the timing was a little
unique as it is a midsummer festival,
and usually there’s nothing going on
these days in Iceland compared to
most Nordic countries. They have lots
of festivals, always some art exhibitions
or music festivals. But here? Basically
nothing.
But aren't people getting sick of all
these festivals? It’s getting hard to
keep up.
Hildur: We realised that it was pos-
sible to have a festival every month in
Iceland, so we thought we could bring
a fresh one this month. What this one
does is bring together different types
of art. So maybe someone who would
normally go to a photography exhibi-
tion will also stumble upon a rock band
they might like. We're trying to create
the feeling that people can always find
something new and discover something
exciting they didn't know Iceland had
How did you pick the participating
artists?
Harpa: Actually the theme was that
anyone who wanted to participate
could participate. There are some stan-
dards you needed to fulfil. You needed
to fill out an application, but that was
all. If they did that right they were basi-
cally in. There are so many participat-
ing artists. There are over fifty works
on display, including performances,
design and music. But all in all, it's well
over 200 artists.
Wow. That’s a lot. Is this an attempt
to encourage younger people to be
more involved with the arts?
Harpa: Yes exactly, we think this festi-
val should be encouraging. Even people
that haven't finished their education
are able and willing to participate. We
even have a group of photographers
between the ages of 15 and 17 years
that are having their first exhibition at
Hitt Húsið.
What kind of audience do you want
to reach?
Hildur: Everyone. We are focusing on
young artists, but there are also some
older ones too, more experienced ones.
But we’re mainly just trying to get ev-
eryone down town to pick up a bro-
chure and just walk around to the dif-
ferent venues and see everything.
Is this the first time you've collabo-
rated?
Harpa: Yes. We found out that you [Hil-
dur] were going to open up a festival
for young people. Our company FRAFL
actually focuses on young visual artists
and we're constantly trying to create
opportunities for them within the Ice-
landic market. So we thought “hmmm...
this could be an opportunity for visual
artists!” 'Cause there are very few festi-
vals for the visual arts scene. Jónsvaka
is so accessible for everyone, everyone
can apply and join. So we approached
her and just after one meeting, there it
is!
Tell us about your concert pro-
gramme.
Hildur: There are 17 acts that make
up 3 days. A mixture of new bands and
some bigger ones. But we have one
standard that anyone playing at the fes-
tival has released something. We have
smaller bands like Rökkurró and Útidúr
and big names like Hjálmar, Hjaltalín
and Seabear. It's a very nice line-up, I
like it.
Are you hoping that this will make
an annual event?
Hildur: If everything goes well, yes. We
actually got some inquiries right away
asking if it’s going to be held next sum-
mer. We're like “okay, let’s finish this
one first!”
Have you gained a lot of support
since promoting the event?
Hildur: People are very positive to-
wards this festival. We have got all
kinds of emails, people willing to help
out and lots of people applying.
Harpa: It's amazing! I think the best
thing with this festival is that it's SO ac-
cessible. I mean this is something the
average art lover should actually love.
It's not narrow or specific like some
other festivals. Jónsvaka is really open
and there's something in it for every-
body.
If you feel like getting off yo' ass,
rolling down town and lending them
a hand, just send an email to volun-
teers@jonsvaka.is.
All art exhibitions are free, and a week-
end concert pass will set you back a
modest 2900 ISK.
24-Hour Arty People
Jónsvaka brings young art to EVERYONE
Words
Alexandra Young
Photography
Julia Staples
june 24
Hitt Húsið
15:00 Festival opening. Music by Snorri Hel-
gason, Mukkaló & Júníus Meyvant band.
15:00 - 17:00 It's Like Living, photo exhibit by
Hugi Hlynsson and Júlía Runólfsdóttir. Like on
Earth as in Heaven, installation by Gísli Hrafn
Magnússon. Exhibit by Júníus Meyvant.
Austurvöllur
17:00 - 18:00 Street Art
Reykjavík Art Museum
20:00 - 21:00 PopUp Fashion Show
21:00 - 22:00 Parabolur Performance Project
Hjartagarðurinn
Study nr.1 and a graffiti mural by Maggi Noem
NASA
21:30 Útidúr
22:00 Árstíðir
22:30 Rökkurró
23:00 For a Minor Reflection
23:40 Ólafur Arnalds
00:20 Sin Fang
Around Reykjavík
Midsummer Night Spirits and You afraid of Big
Brother?? Remember his little sister!
june 25
Hitt Húsið
13:00 - 17:00 It's Like Living, photo exhibit by
Hugi Hlynsson and Júlía Runólfsdóttir. Like on
Earth as in Heaven, installation by Gísli Hrafn
Magnússon. Exhibit by Júníus Meyvant.
Hjartagarðurinn
Study nr.1 and a graffiti mural by Maggi Noem
Around Reykjavík
Midsummer Night Spirits and You afraid of Big
Brother?? Remember his little sister!
NASA
22:30 Foreign Monkeys
23:00 Mammút
23:40 Agent Fresco
0:20 Ensími
1:10 Seabear
2:00 Hjálmar
june 26
Hitt Húsið
12:00 - 18:00 It's Like Living, photo exhibit by
Hugi Hlynsson and Júlía Runólfsdóttir. Like on
Earth as in Heaven, installation by Gísli Hrafn
Magnússon. Exhibit by Júníus Meyvant.
Reykjavík Art Museum
13:00 - 17:00 PopUp Fashion Show.
14:00, 15:00, 16:00 Guided Tours.
Austurvöllur
14:00 - 20:00 Drowning Room/B-Tower.
16:45 – 17:05 The Need for Dancing is the
Intoxication of Life.
17:30 - 19:00 Street Art.
Havarí
13:00 - 13:20 The Need for Dancing is the
Intoxication of Life.
17:00 - 18:00 Modern Tunes performed by RVK
Underground.
Crymo
14:00 - 14:30 NEI
15:00 - 15:20 The Need for Dancing is the
Intoxication for Life.
15:30 - 16:00 NEI.
The Living Art Museum
18:00 - 18:30 Þráðarhaft.
19:00 - 19:30 ArtMass.
Hjartagarðurinn
Study nr.1 and a graffiti mural by Maggi Noem.
13:00 - 15:30 Street Reading.
NASA
23:00 Hudson Wayne.
23:40 Sudden Weather Change.
0:20 Kimono.
1:10 Hjaltalín.
2:00 Bloodgroup.
Around Reykjavík
Midsummer Night Spirits and You afraid of Big
Brother?? Remember his little sister!
june 27
Reykjavík Art Museum
13:00 - 16:00 Pop Up Store.
The Living Art Museum
14:00 - 14:30 Kyrrja.
15:00 - 15:45 Souls have no names.
16:00 - 17:00 The Weird Girls Project
Hjartagarðurinn
Study nr.1 and a graffiti mural by Maggi Noem.
Around Reykjavík
Midsummer Night Spirits and You afraid of Big
Brother?? Remember his little sister!
Wow. What a packed programme, huh?
For changes and additions, consult www.jonsvaka.is
Preserving quality
is our business
Open daily for lunch and dinners
Special off er on Monday
and Tuesday – 3 course dinner
for only 4200 ISK.
Reservation: tel. 552 5700,
e-mail: gallery@holt.is
Bergstaðastræti 37 s. 552 5700
holt@holt.is www.holt.is
Elegant surroundings
Superb cuisine
Modern comfort