Reykjavík Grapevine - Sep 2019, Page 25

Presenting the fringe
The group has now put out an open-call
for submissions through their Face-
book page, which they hope will reach
beyond their friend group to people
who have never exhibited before, queer
and trans folk, refugees, people of for-
eign origin, and generally anyone on
the fringe.
“As a white Icelandic female, I have
more possibilities of showing my work
than a refugee,” says Antonía. “In Ice-
land, I feel, if you are talented in art
people praise you, but if you’re on the
fringe, it’s almost taboo to show in a
gallery or do something official. So I
would love to see more diversity in art
galleries.”
“I would really love to see more di-
versity,” echoes Sunna. “Not just to be
like PC or whatever. It’s just genuinely
an interest.” However the three do feel
like they currently lack direct contact
to the groups with whom they hope to
collaborate.
“We don’t have a lot of contact in
marginalized or smaller groups, but I
really hope we can start working with
someone who does, who is interested
in art and wants to reach out,” says An-
tonía. “I want to get the information. I
want to get more people involved who
have interesting ideas. Flæði is very
much an artist collaboration space.”
Fertilising ground
Their hope is that people who are oth-
erwise shy about their work and do not
feel like they have a place to shine will
take the leap to apply, as they feel it
could be a good stepping-stone and
help artists break through the ini-
tial anxiety of their first exhibition.
The anxiety factor will also be great-
ly reduced by the fact that they plan
to make every opening a very social
event, including music, drinks, and a
lively atmosphere. They will hold their
openings on Thursday nights, to avoid
turning into all-nighters that would
disturb their neighbours. Luckily, they
are smack dab between two main bar
streets that should pick up the spill-
over.
At this early stage, the three are very
grateful for the overwhelmingly good
reception they’re getting. “There’s been
so much excitement for this space to
open and there have been many people
reaching out offering help and to loan
us equipment,” says Sunna. “There’s
obviously excitement for this kind of
concept, which is really good. Also,
people just walking by have been excit-
ed. It’s just so nice that the community
is taking interest.”
Hopefully, they will reach far be-
yond and the community will grow and
flow.
Whiskey Cocktails, Whiskey Fligths, Whiskey Shots, Whiskey School, Happy
Hour, Draft Beer & Exterior Patio
25The Reykjavík GrapevineIssue 14— 2019
“It would be such a pity if it would
just be our friends showcasing.
I love my friends, but that’s not
why we’re doing it.”
Good tunes, good art, good vibes