Reykjavík Grapevine - 07.06.2019, Síða 36

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Found In
Transition
Café Bismút goes from serving
caffeine to culture
Words: Berglind Jóna Hlynsdóttir Photo: Art Bicnick
Gallery & Events Space
Visit Bismút at Hverfisgata 82,
and follow them on Facebook and
Instagram at @bismutreykjavik
Coffee lovers are out of luck, but
art lovers are in the green, as one
of Reykjavík’s favourite cafés has
become an art gallery and events
space. This quirky corner café had
become a daily haunt for many,
with their friendly service and
excellent coffee—indeed, it was
awarded for having the Best Cof-
fee in our Best of Reykjavík mag-
azine earlier this year. Caffeine
aside, they also hosted an array
of art exhibitions in the two years
since opening, and will now turn
their core focus to events, parties,
design exhibitions and the visual
arts.
  Founded by artists Katla Rós
Völudóttir and Ragnar Már Ni-
kulásson—and later joined by
Ben Boorman—Bismút is located
on the corner of Hverfisgata and
Vitastígur in a beautiful, bright
space, with minimalist details
and big windows that allow for
after-hours viewing. In recent
years, rising rents have led to a
retreat of artist run spaces, with
a few exceptions like Harbinger,
Gallery Port and Ekkisens. Rey-
kjavík, without question, needs
more spaces for young and emerg-
ing artists to exhibit. The new
iteration of Bismút presents an
exciting new option with just the
right properties to fill the gap.
Saga, Joey, Merry
and more
One of the first events since the
transition was the launch party
for Joey Christ’s album ‘Joey 2,’
and there’s lots more in the pipe-
line. In the works are shows by
young photographer Svanhildur
Grét a K r i st já n s-
dót t i r, and Saga
Sig urðardóttir, a
renowned fashion
photographer who
has recently been
experimenting with
fine arts.
There’s also an
exhibition planned
with James Merry—
an embroidery artist from the UK,
now based in Iceland. He is Björk’s
art director, and hand-makes the
masks she’s worn onstage in re-
cent years. He recently experi-
enced a swell of interest in his
individual practise, in which he
embroiders subtle elements from
nature onto vintage brand name
sports sweaters. Another planned
event in this varied programme
will happen on Reykjavík Culture
Night when the Grazie! Press—
run by Bobby Breiðholt and Helga
Dögg Ólafsdóttir—will collabo-
rate with Þórsteinn Sigurðsson
to make a large-scale exhibition
and magazine launch, which will
stay open as a shop for some time
after.
Take all of this
“I would like to mix these estab-
lished artists with young up and
coming people. Its not exclusive
… if you have good concept we can
work together,” says Ben. “One of
the most successful shows I did
here was with Anna Maggý—
she did really well in this space.
Her show was visually arresting.
When it was lit up at night, one
guy passed by... he just came in
and said “yeah, I’ll take all of this,”
and bought all 25 images.”
After the exhibition openings,
there will also be other events
happening at the
same time. “It’s all
about keeping the
place a l ive,” says
Ben.
So if you need a
place for your record
launch, somewhere
to host your private
party, or to show and
sell your designer
beach towels or set up a pop-up
store, Bismút is your new go-to.
“You’re very welcome to have your
wedding here, of course!” laughs
Ben. “Bring your own priest.”
Art
“A guy came
in and said
‘yeah, I’ll take
all of this’ and
bought all 25
images.”
Ben Boorman, Bismút curator
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