Reykjavík Grapevine - 10.05.2019, Blaðsíða 20

Anna Maggý is a rising star in Reykja-
vík. The work of the 24-year-old pho-
tographer, videographer and artist has
been featured in many exhibitions,
magazines and advertising campaigns.
With a striking style that effortlessly
captures the zeitgeist, she has recently
moved into directing music videos. De-
scribing herself as chaotic, extreme, in-
dividual and unstoppable, she’s thought
of as one of the best Icelandic photogra-
phers of her generation.
Having grown up in the West of Ice-
land, Anna Maggý moved to Reykjavík
when she was eight years old. Her child-
hood was defined by freedom—some-
thing that she believes shaped her in
many ways. “I’m definitely a very free
spirit,” she says. “I really liked spending
time on my own when I was younger and
I enjoyed making things with my hands.
My grandparents sent me to art school
at a young age so I studied fine arts until
I began my career as a photographer.”
The career choice “just happened,”
she shrugs. “I fell in love with the pro-
cess of capturing a moment into some
kind of form or record. My first camera
was a tiny pink Canon, which I was given
as a confirmation gift. I haven’t stopped
taking pictures since that moment.”
No understanding of time
Anna Maggý swapped art school for the
Icelandic school of photography, Ljós-
myndaskólinn, where she studied for
two years. “Until I
got kicked out,” she
smiles. “But I really
recommend that
school. The set up
is amazing and the
teaching method is
really personal.”
Never t hele s s ,
she has developed a
strong personal style. “A great image
must tell a story,” she says. “But it’s also
really important for me that images
somehow confuse me, disturb me or
grab my attention for a considerably
long time. Images that are really chal-
lenging for the eye and the mind.”
She describes her own style of pho-
tography as “Surreal and real, and
maybe confusing. I forget time when
I’m in action. I don’t understand time.
I do—but I don’t.”
However, Anna Maggý also doesn’t
stray to the other extreme. “I don’t think
about timelessness when I take photos,”
she says. “But I think a timeless photo
captures the mo-
ment in such a way
that an audience
can relate to it, even
many years later, I
guess. Timeless-
ness is a big word.
It is partially objec-
tive and therefore
subject to bias and
opinions. You’ll see more often than not
that it’s really the opinion of the viewer
that makes the final call.”
The magic of
shooting on film
Anna Maggý shoots primarily on film
in her personal work, but uses digital
cameras for commercials. “I use digital
for jobs that I have to work fast and fin-
ish quickly,” she explains. “For me, film
is more magical. Sometimes it’s good
to not to have too many moments, too
many frames and too many options.”
For Anna Maggý, printed photog-
raphy still has power in the fast mov-
ing digital world. “It’s not the same to
look at pieces of art from a phone or
a computer than actually seeing it in
reality,” she says. “And I love the physi-
cal presence of a print. I often feel that
people are now realizing that photogra-
phy is also an art form. Fine art prints
created by the artist because they best
represent the artist’s vision. For me, a
photograph simply isn’t a photograph
until it’s printed.”
Just say yes
Anna Maggý made her first music video
two years ago—another thing that “just
happened.” She was asked by an artist,
and took the opportunity. “I just said
yes and decided to go ahead and do it,”
she says. “I let myself develop and to
constantly try out new things. I have no
idea what I’ll do next.”
She has previously worked with art-
ists like rappers Jóipjé + Króli, electronic
artist Futuregrapher, and acclaimed
singers and musicians Högni and Bríet.
For the new video that she directed for
Munstur she was given creative control,
and shot the video at the Iceland Insti-
tute for the Arts using a blue backdrop
specially made for the video. Actors and
models clad in blue appear in front of
the camera, creating images that are
part fashion-shoot, part art installation
and part surrealist fantasy.
Desire for ideas
She has a strong affinity for Icelandic
music, including favourites like Gus
Gus, Björk and Mr. Silla. But many of
her inspirations come simply from day-
dreaming. “I keep an open mind,” she
says, “to be full of desire for ideas and
to be ready to catch them.”
Her current workload includes three
more music videos—but as always, she
struggles to sit still. “I’m going to India
tomorrow,” she finishes. “Hopefully I
will catch some good ideas there.”
At the top of her game, Anna Maggý
is still hungry for more. Perhaps the trip
will give her the opportunity to finally
capture her dream subject. In her own
words? “I’d love to photograph the un-
seen.”
Culture
Photographing
The Unseen
Anna Maggý aims for the top, creatively and professionally
Words: Anna Margrét Björnsson Photos: Anna Maggý & Dóra Dúna
Photographer
Anna Maggý is a
photographer,
videographer and
artist. Follow her on
Instagram at
@not_annamaggy
Phoographer Anna Maggý has an excellent eye
“It’s really important
for me that images
somehow confuse
me or disturb me.”
“I keep an open
mind to be full of
desire for ideas,
and to be ready to
catch them.”
20The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 07— 2019
Anna's Munster music video