Atlantica - 01.05.2007, Qupperneq 93

icelanda
Bringing the Past to Life
The SeTTlemenT exhibiTion: Reykjavík 871 ± 2
In 2001, a Viking-Age longhouse from around 930 AD was found during an archaeological excavation in the
center of Reykjavík. The ruins of the longhouse, which was inhabited until about 1000 AD, and a part of a
man-made structure – a turf wall, probably part of a field enclosure – have been preserved and are now on
display at the site where they were discovered. The wall is the oldest remain of human habitation that has
been found in Iceland and suggests that Reykjavík’s first settler, Ingólfur Arnason, may have arrived in the
capital earlier than 874 AD, which was previously established as the year of settlement.
Objects from the Viking Age found in central Reykjavík and the island of Videy, such as glass beads and a
walrus tusk, are also on display. The title of the exhibition, Reykjavik 871± 2, comes from the dating of the
settlement layer of volcanic ash, formed in an eruption in 871 AD, with a two-year margin of error.
The Settlement Exhibition focuses on explaining how archeologists interpreted the various pieces of
evidence found in the ruins, and through various multimedia sources visitors can learn about the lives of
the people who lived there and see a model of the original longhouse.
Adalstraeti 16, reykjavikmuseum.is
Maverick Museum
You won’t want to miss the new and impressive exhibition devoted to French Arctic explorer Jean-Baptiste
Charcot and his exploration of the North and South Poles currently on display at Fraedasetur Sandgerdi,
a museum just 10 kilometers from Keflavík International Airport. In addition to Roald Amundsen, Robert
Scott, and Robert Peary, Charcot is widely regarded as one of the most important mavericks of the 20th
century.
Charcot, who died in 1936 when his research vessel Pourquoi-Pas ran aground during a storm off
Reykjanes peninsula, was no stranger to Iceland’s icy waters – he and his crew came often to Iceland en
route to the north. His spirit has not been lost, though. Thanks to the close collaboration of scientists
and historians with a desire to give this explorer the cred he deserves, the exhibit almost exactly recreates
the atmosphere of his research vessel – from the hold where the crew members lounged, to the captain’s
quarters. On display are special items found aboard the ship, as well as personal documents on loan from
his family in France. The museum’s adjacent nature center is also worth a gander, especially for the walrus
on display, the only one in Iceland. Open every day. 423 7551. sandgerdi.is

Special promotion
Everything Under the Sun
…and Over the Rainbow
This summer the Reykjavík Art Museum – Kjarvalsstadir takes on contemporary Icelandic design in all its
dimensions. Encompassing the work of about 60 of the nation’s most prominent designers, the exhibition
entitled Magma runs the gamut of the art form, including textile, furniture, lighting, jewelry, architecture,
technology and even cuisine. On the other side of town this summer the Reykjavík Art Museum – Harbour
House will be hosting Roni Horn with the renowned artist’s first Scandinavian retrospective, My Oz – Roni
Horn. The exhibition includes photographs, three-dimensional works, drawings, books and new glass
sculpture. Horn’s intimate relationship with Iceland has played a formative role in her work, and the work
for the exhibition was selected in close collaboration with the artist. Magma will run 19 May – 26 August.
My Oz will run 11 May – 19 August. listasafnreykjavikur.is
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