Atlantica - 01.03.2002, Page 54

i-site ENERGY❍
52 A T L A N T I C A
The Reykjavík Museum of Photography
An exhibition of the photographs of Icelander Gudmundur
Ingólfsson. Ingólfsson is one of Iceland’s best known pho-
tographers, especially when it comes to theatre and adver-
tising. Ingólfsson studied photography with Otto Steinert at
the Folkwangshule für Gestaltung in Germany in the late
60s and later became Steinert’s assistant. Since 1972 he
has run his own studio, Ímynd, and has held several exhibi-
tions. Until 24 March.
The Reykjavík Museum of Photography, Tryggvagata 15,
101 Reykjavík, tel: (+354) 563-1790.
Open from 12-17 weekdays and 13-17 weekends.
Árbæjarsafn
This charming folk museum, set up in 1957, is an outdoor
museum which gives the visitor an insight into the life and
architecture of Icelanders in earlier times. There are over
30 protected houses located on the museum site showing a
variety of traditional Icelandic homes, as well as work-
shops and several exhibitions. The houses were all moved
to the site from downtown Reykjavík and the oldest dates
from 1820. The current exhibition features the history of
Reykjavík from the age of settlement to today.
The museum is only open to the public in the summer
months. It is however possible for groups and individuals to
go on guided tours by pre-arrangement.
Árbæjarsafn, Kystuhylur, Árbær, 110 Reykjavík,
tel: (+354) 577-1111, www.arbaejarsafn.is
Kjarvalsstadir
House to House. Artist Hannes Lárusson erects 11 houses
in the west wing of the museum, which reflect the unique
work of his career. Until April 1.
The Reykjavík Sculpture Association’s 30th Anniversary
Exhibition. Thorbjörg Pálsdóttir and Ásmundur Ásmundsson
show their juxtaposing works. Until 5 May.
Peter Blake. An exhibition showing the works of one of the
pioneers of pop art in the 50s and 60s. From 6 April - 2 June.
Kjarvalsstadir, Flókagata, 105 Reykjavík,
tel: (+354) 552-6131.
The Harbour House
Erró and the History of Art – a permanent exhibition of
Erró’s paintings where he seeks inspiration from the
world’s greatest artists.
Breidholt – idea to reality. An interesting exhibition on the
development of the Breidholt suburb of Reykjavík.
The Reykjavík Art Museum, Harbour House,
Tryggvagata 17, 101 Reykjavík, tel: (+354) 511-5155.
The City Library
There will be no exhibitions at the library in March and
April, but a lot of other good reasons to drop into this
bright, airy and spacious interior. Browse through the
newspapers and magazines, available in eight languages,
check out the bulletin board for what’s on and where, and
relax in the coffee shop on the first floor, where great sofas
await. The library includes a selection of English and
Scandinavian fiction and a good selection of factual books
on Iceland in several languages. Internet access is also
available, as well as a children’s play area and a CD music
collection. Check out their new literature web site on
www.literature.is
Reykjavík City Library, Tryggvagata 15, 101 Reykjavík,
tel: (+354) 552-7545, www.borgarbokasafn.is
Combining educational exhibits and entertainment, the Reykjavík Energy
Museum has developed into a popular destination not only for tourists, but
also for students learning about the electrification of Reykjavík.
“The Reykjavík Energy Museum is a mixture of a teaching room
and an amusement park,” says Stefán Pálsson, head cura-
tor of the innovative museum. “We organise class-
room field trips and serve as an educational cen-
tre with interactive exhibits for guests.”
The main attraction, though, is a trip
to the actual Ellidaár Power Station, located just across from the
museum in Ellidaárdalur valley. This power station was the
first natural power plant in Iceland and was built in
1921. The white building with red roof still operates
with, more or less, the original machinery.
“There is quite some history here at the plant
and at the museum, which is why it was set
up in the first place: to preserve rare
objects and pieces of equipment
that were used by Reykjavík
Electricity to bring electrici-
ty to Reykjavík,” says
Pálsson.
Power Museum
Open on Sundays from 15.00 to 17.00 or by appointment; weekday visits to the
Power Station. For more information contact (+354) 567-9009 or e-mail minjasafn@or.is
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