Iceland review - 2015, Síða 68

66 ICELAND REVIEW
a total of 66 artists stayed at Listhús, up
from 33 in 2013 and 24 in 2012. In order
to spread the artists over the year, Alice
has developed other themed-programs like
Skammdegi, highlighting the beauty and
character of each of the seasons in order
to attract people during the normally more
quiet periods.
BRIGHT FUTURE
According to Alice, people are becoming
increasingly curious and supportive of the
residency idea. “Art is an essential element
in everyone’s life. It makes our world more
beautiful, more rich and more interesting.
I sometimes jokingly ask people: ‘Do you
like ugly things?’ I think no one would say
‘yes.’” While she doesn’t expect everyone
to like everything the artists create, she
hopes to instill a sense of curiosity in the
community. “I really hope that more and
more people will stop by and take a look
when they’re walking past. That’s enough
for me. Personally, we’re not gaining finan-
cially from this, but in terms of experience
we’re winning. I’m learning so much from
these people.”
Ásta Sigurfinnsdóttir, who runs the town’s
hotel, is among the community members
who is positive about the project. “It’s great
what they’re doing for the area. People are
curious,” she tells me.
Similarly, wood artist Aðalheiður
Eysteins dóttir, who runs a gallery in
Siglufjörður, is excited about what Alice has
been doing. They’ve collaborated on sev-
eral occasions, including helping to bring
a Chinese dance company to the area, and
Aðalheiður has a lot of contact with the
visiting artists at Listhús. “I sometimes
invite some of them to dinner here. I know
a lot of people and help to put them in
touch with others. I also have facilities
that they can use. Of course these are
small towns. People might talk about the
‘strange artists.’ The community certainly
knows about them. Although there have
always been foreigners here because of
the herring industry, people aren’t used to
hearing English on a daily basis. For them
that is quite special. The artists are a bit
isolated but if they ask for help, I think no
one would say ‘no.’ People are curious and
willing to help. I also think they’re starting
to see the importance of this idea of having
a cultural center here.”*
ART
Spray freezes on a farmer’s fence where Ólafsjarðarvatn lake flows into the sea (4:20 pm, January 10).
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