Reykjavík Grapevine - 29.07.2016, Side 66

HOW DO YOU LIKE ICELAND?
On what brings him to
Reykjavík
“I’m from Guangzhou, China.
I was studying in Finland and I
graduated this summer. Also
my girlfriend is from Finland.
So my parents attended my
graduation and after that we
decided to go on a Nordic
trip all together. And Iceland,
of course, is one amazing
Northern country.”
On the activities
“We will stay in Iceland only
for one day. We are just
planning to walk around the
city centre, buy some local
gifts and then take a tour to
the Blue Lagoon. As we have
been traveling for thirteen
days now, I’m pretty sure
that next we are going back
to Helsinki.”
On the activities
“I cannot name many
differences with China
because we just landed a
couple of hours ago and
everything seems fresh to
us. But I should definitely
mention that it is really calm
in here and also the town
seems to be really small. Not
even small but very tiny and
the buildings are very short
also.”
Words & Photo GEIDI RAUD
Kenny Fang
For a city of it’s size, Reykjavík
does very well in the arts and cul-
ture department. In recent years,
despite culture funding cuts and
soaring downtown rents, the city
has maintained a healthy gal-
lery scene. There’s been a notable
rise in the amount of commer-
cial fine art galleries—after years
of the well-regarded i8 being the
only game in town, several new-
comers are striving to establish
themselves as great places to both
see and buy contemporary art. In
addition to this, there are some
great DIY spaces currently active,
and many of the city’s permanent-
display art museums also exhibit a
contemporary programme. There
are too many great spaces to men-
tion them all, but here are a few of
our favourites.
i8, Tryggvagata 16
The i8 gallery goes from strength
to strength with their stable of
top-notch Icelandic artists, as well
as some renowned international
players. i8 was the first Icelan-
dic art gallery to start becoming
involved in art fairs, so they had
a hand in bringing the cream of
Iceland’s art scene to the interna-
tional market. It is also the gallery
that represents Ragnar Kjartans-
son, the playful multi-media artist
QUICK GUIDE
Reykjavík’s
Smaller
Art Galleries
Words JOHN ROGERS
who’s basically the spirit animal of
the Icelandic arts scene.
Hverfisgalleri, Hverfisgata 4
This commercial fine art gallery
opened in 2013, but already has a
large and thriving roster of artists.
The work on show is mostly paint-
ing, drawing and sculpture by Ice-
landic artists, with a smattering
of exhibitors from elsewhere. It’s
conveniently located in the heart of
downtown Reykjavík, so you’ve no
excuse not to stick your nose in and
see what’s on show.
Ekkisens, Bergstaðastræti 25b
This DIY art space is housed in a
former basement apartment, and
still bears the marks of its former
use. It’s a lively little gallery with a
programme that gives a platform
to recently graduated and emerg-
ing Icelandic artists, with a col-
laborative and experimental edge.
There’s always something worth
seeing here, and it fits right into any
day spent wandering downtown.
This gallery is a go-to if you want to
see what’s happening at the grass-
roots of Iceland’s art community.
BERG Contemporary, Klapparstígur 16
This relative newcomer to the
downtown art scene occupies a
spacious ground-floor gallery on
Klapparstígur, and represents eight
artists working predominantly in
sculpture, drawing and painting.
Until August 13, BERG is showing
a group exhibition called ‘Rotation’,
featuring works by Ásgeir Skúla-
son, Kjartan Ari Pétursson, Sindri
Leifsson, Sirra Sigrún Sigurðardót-
tir and Veronika Geiger.
NÝLÓ, Völvufell 13-21
Founded by a group of indepen-
dent-minded artists way back
in 1978, NÝLÓ, or Nýlistasafnið,
has in recent years evacuated the
downtown area, moving from
Skúlagata to upper Breiðholt. Also
known as the “Living Art Mu-
seum,” the space describes itself
as an “artist-run, member-based,
non-profit museum and platform
for innovative and experimen-
tal contemporary art,” and they
continue to deliver a thrilling pro-
gramme almost 40 years later.
Those who make the journey can
expect to see some lively and en-
gaging work as their reward.
Ásmundarsafn, Sígtun
This small-but-perfectly-formed,
out-of-the-way museum was origi-
nally built as a sculptor’s house and
studio. After his death, it became
a permanent exhibit of Ásmundur
Sveinsson’s work. They also host
contemporary exhibitions, often
including work that riffs on Ás-
munder’s output. The current show,
until October 9, is an ambitious in-
stallation by Icelandic sculptor Elín
Hansdóttir, entitled ‘Disruption’.
Ásmundursafn might seem a bit out
for the way for the casual tourist,
but it’s a nice trip out to Laugardalur
that’ll take you out of the 101 bubble.
There’s a leafy sculpture garden to
chill in, you can stroll through the
park on the way, or drop by Laugar-
dalslaug for a dip afterwards.
Harbinger, Freyjugata 1
Harbinger Project Space opened
its doors two years ago, on what
co-founder Steinunn Önnudóttir
credits as a whim. Originally con-
ceived as a space to present foreign
and local work side by side, the
gallery is a valuable independent
space that works on bringing in
foreign artists to Iceland.
The Nordic House, Sturlugata 5
The Nordic House is an art and cul-
ture building located just beyond
Tjörnin, near the University of Ice-
land. They host a varied and fun
exhibition and events programme,
including summer greenhouse
concerts, and the building is also
home to the beautiful, quiet Aalto
Bistro.
THE HOUSE AT EYRARBAKKI

Opening hours: May 1st - September 30th daily 11.00-18.00 or by an agreement
Tel: +354 483 1504 & +354 483 1082 | husid@husid.com | www.husid.com
Árnessýsla folk museum is located in Húsið,
the House, historical home of the Danish
merchants built in 1765. Húsið is one of the
oldest houses in Iceland and a beautiful
monument of Eyrarbakki´s time as the
biggest trading place on the south coast.
Today one can enjoy exhibitions about the
story and culture of the region, famous piano,
shawl made out of human hair and the kings
pot, are among items. Húsið prides itself with
warm and homelike atmosphere.
The House at Eyrarbakki
Open 11:30-22:00
saegreif inn. is
Geirsgata 8 • 101 Reykjavík • Tel. 553 1500 • seabaron8@gmail.com
An absolute
must-try!
Saegreifinn restaurant (Sea Baron) is like none other
in Iceland; a world famous lobster soup and a diverse
fish selection.
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 11 — 2016
66
From NÝLÓ
Ásmundarsafn. Photo Art Bicnick.