Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2022, Qupperneq 37

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Best Art Museum
Reykjavík Art
Museum
Tryggvagata 17, 101 Reykjavík
Hafnarhús, the downtown branch of
the Reykjavík Art Museum, is a cathedral
to contemporary art that exhibits a
constant conveyor belt of interesting
international work. In 2020, they wowed
with exhibitions from international
heavyweights like Gilbert & George and
Shoplifter to up-and-coming Grapevine
favourites like Una Björg Magnúsdóttir.
Check out their numerous rotating
exhibitions as well as their shop—it’s the
perfect rainy-day destination.
Runners-Up
National Gallery of Iceland
Fríkirkjuvegur 7
Listasafn Íslands (the National Gallery
of Iceland) is a crown jewel in the Reyk-
javík cultural scene. This is where you
go to see our best artists’ work, to fill
your soul with something that matters
or just to cross it off your bucket list.
Just because it’s the oldest and most
distinguished museum of them all,
doesn't mean that they aren’t still the
absolute best in the business.
Gerðarsafn - Kópavogur Art Museum
Hamraborg 4
Gerðarsafn is one of those hidden
gems outside of Reykjavík. Located in
Kópavogur, the museum offers a fresh
take on Icelandic art and gives visitors
an opportunity to meet and listen to
their artists in their fantastic artist
talks. It also has a coffee shop and a
delightful garden.
Previous Winners
2021: Reykjavík Art Museum
2020: Kjarvalsstaðir
2019: Reykjavík Art Museum
Best Museum
The National Museum
Suðurgata 41, 101 Reykjavík
Of Reykjavík’s many museums, one
stands taller than the rest Iceland’s
National Museum is a treasure trove of
the country’s history, covering every-
thing from early culture to clothing,
metalsmithing, religion and more. It’s
well-curated and well-designed, even
showcasing contemporary displays that
connect to modern cultural waves like
football and feminism. Trust us, it’s an
amazing feat of a museum—somehow
making silverware interesting while
also displaying a baby skeleton. Creepy?
Kinda, but we love it.
Runners-Up
Sjóminjasafnið/Maritime Museum
Grandagarður 8, 101 Reykjavík
Life is a salted cod. This is actually an
Icelandic saying. So it’s pretty evident
that Icelanders are first and last a fish-
ing nation, and man, we love the ocean.
At the Maritime Museum in the west of
Reykjavík you can see how the brave
sailors of Iceland have endured in the
tough North Atlantic sea. Not only that,
the museum is incredibly kid-friendly
with a tonne of fun things for wee ones
to see and do.
Einar Jónsson Museum
Hallgrímstorg 3, 101 Reykjavík
If you know where the Hallgrímskirkja
church is, you know where the Einar
Jónsson Museum is. Einar Jónsson is
Iceland’s foremost sculptor; there is a
good chance that you’ve already seen
his work, as half the statues around the
city are his creation. An interesting visit,
with a deep history.
Previous Winners
2021: The National Museum
2020: The National Museum
2019: Wonders of Iceland
Best Cinema
Bíó Paradís
Hverfisgata 54, 101 Reykjavík
The heart of Icelandic cinema lies at
Hverfisgata’s Bíó Paradís. It’s the only
arthouse cinema in the country and
the premiere destination for those that
want to see Icelandic films with English
subtitles. In fact, when it closed for a
short time, it caused a city-wide panic,
culminating in a popular movement to
revive it. Thankfully, it’s back, and just
as great as ever. We are very excited to
see what their future holds and hope
it includes the cult nights and party
screenings the theatre is known for.
Runners-Up
Háskólabíó
Hagatorg, 107 Reykjavík
Háskólabíó, located in the west of
Reykjavík, showcases worldwide block-
busters as well as local Icelandic films
(check online to confirm the availability
of English subtitles). It’s a cosy location
within walking distance from down-
town that’ll satiate your desire for the
whole popcorn-Avengers experience.
Smárabíó
Smáralind, Kópavogur
We’re fans of Smárabíó for two
reasons: it’s easily accessible by bus
and it offers an unbeatable VIP luxury
experience, where you can recline
on cushy chairs with some room
to groove while you munch on your
nachos. Seriously—if you’re looking
for Big Movie Energy, it's here.
Previous Winners
2021: Bíó Paradís
2020: Smárabíó
2019: Bíó Paradís
Best Tech Exhibition
FlyOver Iceland
Perlan
This VR experience took the city by
storm in 2019, with as many Icelanders
lining up for a bird’s eye view of the
country as tourists. On this virtual
ride, soar over glaciers, mountains,
lava fields and more—complete with
fresh mountain air and Iceland’s varied
scents—all from the comfort of an
amusement ride seat. Now, no matter
the season or weather, you can tell
all your friends you saw the Northern
Lights.
Runners-Up
Wonders of Iceland
Perlan
If stormy weather blows your glacier
trip off course, visit the Wonders of
Iceland museum in the iconic Perlan.
The impressive displays include a man-
made ice tunnel, complete with frigid
air temperatures and a selfie spot so
realistic it’ll fool your Instagram follow-
ers. In the main hall, projected glacial
vistas reveal how fragile these majestic
phenomena are.
Whales Of Iceland
Fiskislóð 23-25
Whales Of Iceland consists of 23 life-
size models of the gentle giants, from
gargantuan blue whales to a 25-metre
long sperm whale. Meandering around
the hall will give you a new appreciation
for underwater life. It’s a whale of a
time (sorry about that).
Previous Winners
2021: Wonders of Iceland
2020: Wonders of Iceland