The Icelandic Canadian - 01.03.1954, Side 50

48
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Spring 1954
these modem painters they would get
quite a surprise.”
Although Arni has spent a great
deal of his life in cities and towns, the
countryside absorbs his major interests
as an artist. The picture “Cathedral of
Light”, a view of the Seven Sisters
power plant—is an exception to this
rule. If one were to stand on the parti-
cular spot from which the painting
was composed, one could see where
Ami’s interest in the photographic
likeness of his subject ends and where
his artist’s imagination begins. For
what may be discerned in this picture
is not simply an impression of the
sluiceway and powerhouse of a typical
hydro-electric station, but the image
of the main aisle, organ and lofts of an
impressive old-world cathedral. In full
color, the sky in the background is
highlighted by a vivid stained-glass ef-
fect.
The directors of The Manitoba
Hydro-Electric Board and Winnipeg
Electric Company considered this
painting so interesting that they decid-
ed to use it on their 1953 Christmas
cards. It is a fine example of the artist-
ic flair of this gentlemannered Ice-
lander who only as a true artist could
have brought such color and reverence
to what might be normally accepted
as just another stone building.
—Reprinted from PHASE, by authority of the
Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board and the Win-
nipeg Electric Co.
See Icel. Can., Spring 1948. Page 45; Autumn
1950, Page 33.
NEWS FROM THE LEIF EIRIKSSON CLUB
It has been a good season for the
club, and some fine programmes have
been enjoyed at the meetings this
winter.
Mrs. Elene McL. Smith entertained
the December meeting with a showing
of colored slides which she took while
in Europe. The pictures included some
excellent views of interesting places in
France, England, Scotland, and Ice-
land.
The January meeting was well at-
tended, especially by newcomers to the
club. A film on the eruption of Mt.
Hecla was shown by Prof. Love, whose
commentary on the film made it inter-
esting. Professor Finnbogi GuSmunds-
son showed a series of slides on the
“trolls” of Iceland, the “trolls” being
huge rock formations of lava resembl-
ing human faces. Prof. GuSmundsson
delighted everyone with his humorous
interpretations of the expressions and
likenesses of the various faces in rock.
This evening will not be forgotten for
a long time to come.
The meeting in February was con-
ducted by the Social Chairman as no
business was discussed. Four films
were shown, including the official
Grey Cup film, and dancing followed.
Club members learned something
about stars and planets in the Universe
we live in when Mr. J. G. Johannsson
spoke to the March meeting on
Astronomy. It was an extremely inter-
esting and informative discourse and
greatly enjoyed by everyone.
It was decided at this meeting that
no April meeting be held because of
the examinations written at this time
at the University.
The club is making tentative plans
for a concert to be presented in some
rural communities next fall. Prepar-
ations will be made by a concert com-
mittee in May and June. It is felt that
there is a considerable amount of
talent in the organization. As a result
there should be no difficulty in mak-
ing arrangements for an interesting
evening. David A. Swainson