Reykjavík Grapevine - feb. 2021, Blaðsíða 14

The Gospel Of
Galleries
Art 1:01 GV - Go and inspire
yourself downtown, ye plebs.
Words: Hannah Jane Cohen Photos: Art Bicnick
Jesus Christ (a figure you might know
from art history), there are a lot of new
galleries in Reykjavík right now, huh?
It used to be easy to write a gallery
guide for the city, but now this article
is basically a list with a sentence or
two about each. Hey, at least that’s
better than only having like two live
music venues left, right…? Guys…?
Ásmundarsalur
Freyjugata 41
Is Ásmundarsalur really a gallery?
No, but considering the fantastic ex-
hibitions and workshops they hold,
we’d posit it’s basically a gallery that
also does other non-gallery things
(potentially a long-term piece of
performance art). We particularly
enjoyed Halldór Eldjárn’s plant ma-
chine this year, but we love every
unexpected thing Ásmundarsalur
presents.
The Marshall House
Grandagar!ur 20
If you haven’t heard of Kling og Bang
or the Living Art Museum, thank
God you’re reading this guide as you
clearly have no idea what you’re do-
ing with your life and probably don’t
even know you’re in Reykjavík. You
are. And there is a place called The
Marshall House and inside are two
galleries where you should expect
something ambitious and unique—
from makeshift karaoke rooms to
gardens covered in bees.
Hverfisgallerí
Hverfisgata 4
If I had to use just one word to de-
scribe Hverfisgallerí, it’d be ambi-
tious. Every artist they represent—
from the kaleidoscopic Daví! Örn
Halldórsson to the bad stitch him-
self Loji Höskuldsson—consistent-
ly tops themselves. If there were a
gallery that “rises and grinds”—40
hours a day—it’s this one.
Berg Contemporary
Klapparstígur 16
Berg is the number one go-to stop
for those looking to quench their
contemporary art thirst. They’ve
very much nailed down how to cre-
ate that delightful, all-encompass-
ing contemporary art experience,
and you always leave feeling some-
what rejuvenated and smarter. Skip
the pool. Head to Berg.
FLÆ!I
Vesturgata 17
2020 saw the return of FLÆ"I and
many flowing happy tears ensued.
If you’re looking for up-and-com-
ing, alternative, bourgeoise-elite-
gallery-culture-smashing artists,
exhibitions, concerts, events, and
more, head to Vesturgata. If you’re
lucky, there might be some erotic
food art on call. ; -)
Gallery Port
Laugavegur 23
We’ve long referred to Gallery Port
as the dive bar of the Icelandic art
scene, in that they are extremely
cool and in-the-know and you’d just
kind of want to hang out with them
were they a person. The Laugavegur
space serves up gritty, unusual,
eclectic art by people who are ex-
tremely cool, in-the-know, and
you’d just kind of want to hang out
inside were they a gallery.
i8
Tryggvagata 16
From 2015 to our most recent award
ceremony, i8 has consistently been
named the Best Art Gallery at the
Grapevine’s annual Best Of Reyk-
javík awards. Expect to see concep-
tual cutting-edge displays from art
superstars at this downtown spot.
That said, there’s always a sense of
fun running through the gallery’s
roster, so don’t be afraid this is
some elite art hoity-toity academic
institution. #i8ForEvery1
Núlli"
Bankastræti 0
Núlli!—winner of the Hidden Gem
at the BoR awards—has their fin-
ger on the underground art pulse of
Reykjavík. To be fair, it’s probably
because they are underground. The
gallery focuses on new, evocative
and subversive Icelandic artists and
showcases many people’s first ex-
hibitions. Núlli!, pls change your
name to Milljónir.
#ula
Hverfisgata 34
This new kid on the block burst
onto the scene with—pardon our
French—a really fucking good se-
ries of exhibitions this year. Seri-
ously, can we hire whoever books
for them? And apparently next year
they’ll be showcasing Sigur!ur
Ámundason, Anna Magg#, Kristín
Morthens and more. Jeez, calm
down. As if we weren’t already fuck-
ing impressed.
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK
Best Place
To Start The
Night
Ve"ur
Klapparstígur 33
For the second time in a row,
Ve!ur has snatched up the
Best Place To Start The Night
gold medal. And for good rea-
son. This charming, low-key,
hole-in-the-wall serves up
some great cocktails and a
dedicated crowd that grabbed
each member of the panel’s
heart. “There’s something ca-
sual about Ve!ur in that you
feel fine relaxing and chatting
but it’s still a nice and sophis-
ticated bar,” one panellist ex-
plained. “But that said, the first
time I went they were playing a
new wave punk playlist, so it’s
not your average quiet cocktail
bar.”
Loft
Bankastræti 7
“Loft is perfectly situated be-
tween the two areas of down-
town and their Happy Hour
lasts until 21:00,” one panel
member raved. “Their service
is also great, and their balcony
is fantastic in the summer.” It’s
no wonder the hostel’s cosy bar
has a cult following. Go there
on weeknights for a plethora of
events including karaoke, wa-
tercolouring, and speed dating.
Miami
Hverfisgata 33
Miami has a lot going for it—
an amazing interior, delicious
cocktails, and a relaxed atmo-
sphere early in the night that’s
very conducive for chill convos
and bonding. “It’s a good vibe
in the early evening,” one pan-
ellist raved. “Also, it’s a well-
done novelty bar. I love that.”
14The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 02— 2021Best of Reykjavík
Ásmundarsalur, mid-exhibit not post-party
Joy, Sustainability
& Honesty
Kaupvangur 17 - Egilsstadir
tel: +354-471-2450
Happy Hour
all days 15 - 19
Best selection of Icelandic
Beers in the East
Private rooms & dorms
Homemade cakes & soups,
vegan & friendly food