Iceland review - 2002, Qupperneq 55

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Art in_reykjavík
The young people lucky enough to receive sponsorship to partake were treated to a
nine-day itinerary including field workshops with US artist Diane Burko (who specialis-
es in depicting volcanic regions worldwide), input from Icelandic visual artists, lectures
in anthropology, and visits to forward-thinking Icelandic companies like multimedia
specialist CAOZ and Thule Musik. But the most important way to gauge the success of
a project like this is to hear what the kids have to say:
How have your thoughts about Iceland or Icelandic people changed? I thought they’d
all be “outdoorsy”. I didn’t think they would be so much into style and image. Most of
the people we met were like city people. I thought they’d be more “country”.
KASSANDRA BANKOVICH, 18
What aspect of the whole experience affected you the most? One thing that really stood
out in my mind is the artwork that everyone did together. We really collaborated, and
we did some really good stuff. It was more like family than friends.
MIKE TRIHN, 16
What are the best qualities in the Icelandic kids? They are very honest. I really like that.
If they don’t like something, they will tell you. Even when we didn’t know them, they
would just tell you. Now that was shocking. They were so honest and kind of blunt. It
was like “whoa”! But I really like that.
AMELIA LOWE, 17
What do you think are the best qualities of the American kids? I think they are all pos-
itive. (It’s not as if) they all went to Iceland thinking that we are all ugly Eskimos living
in snow houses.
INGIBERG THORSTEINSSON, 16
Do you think that the American kids got a
better understanding of Icelandic culture?
Yes. They think some if it is stupid, but so
do we… like the trolls and the ‘hidden
people’. Not all of us believe in that, but if
they hadn’t been with any Icelandic peo-
ple, they wouldn’t have gotten the right
idea about this.
TINNA BJARNARDÓTTIR, 17
Which qualities do you most admire in
the American kids? … that they are really
interested in seeing and learning about
new things. They are always asking me,
“How do you say this in Icelandic?”
GUDRÚN HARDARDÓTTIR, 18
Co-founders of MYX, Josette Bonfino and
Ian Cross explain that: “Art formed the
basis for putting the kids together in the
first place. It was the one thing that each
of them had in common when they start-
ed out as total strangers. But the conduit
could have just as easily been something
else like music or sports…”
For Bonfino, the most profound part of
the trip was, “seeing all nine kids collabo-
rate on one piece of artwork reflecting
their personal experiences of the past
week. They got right down to business
without the typical teen posturing, and got
totally absorbed in the art. Afterwards,
when they were openly discussing their
completed work, I thought, ‘Wow, this pro-
gramme has had an impact on all of them;
they are relating to each other and respect-
ing each other’s opinions.’”
Cross believes that: “The whole experi-
ence really opened up the minds of the
American kids who’d never travelled
abroad. It gives you a sense of optimism
to see that…”
Which is just what the doctor ordered
after all – a bit of hope for the future.
JMcC
This first cultural exchange will culmi-
nate in a review show of sketches and
photos at the MYX gallery opening on 6
December.
For more information, see www.myxworld.org
or e-mail info@myxworld.org
Ph
ot
o
Br
ia
n
Sw
ee
ne
y
Tinna Bjarnadóttir from Iceland
In the Mix
In direct response to the tragedies of 11 September, Philadelphia-based Multicultural Youth
Exchange (MYX) visited Iceland this summer, with its primary aim being to get the Icelandic and US
kids experiencing one another’s company.
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