Journey into the Light: Iceland!
Iceland: first and foremost, the name stands for an overwhelming and singular experience of nature. But it also means the people one encounters there, and the powerful impressions they leave behind. In summer, Marion Ackermann traveled to Iceland together with members of the Society of Friends of the Kunstsammlung. In Reykjavik and vicinity, they gained insight into Iceland's lively art scene.
The artist Katharina Sieverding accompanied the trip photographically, and her impressive images illustrate this travel report for #32.
For many of the artists who live in Iceland, it is the volcanic landscape, with its subtle coloration, the various types of stone formed by the lava flows, and the diverse forms in which water appears – from geysers, to waterfalls, to glaciers – that supply them with themes, and at the same time artistic material.
This is true as well for Hildur Bjarnadottir: in her project "Mapping a piece of land" she develops a hitherto unseen palette of green, plant-based tonalities, which she incorporates into woven material. She is represented by the Hverfisgalleri.
Nearly all of the key art institutions are found in Reykjavik in close proximity to one another. Ragnar Kjartansson, represented by the best-known gallery, i8, is regarded as one a star of the Icelandic art scene. His girlfriend receives us in the producers gallery Kling & Bang, which has been in operation for 10 years, and is networked globally.
Just a few steps away is the Spark Design Space. Its director Audur Ösp Gudmundsdottir explains the unconventional concept: young Icelandic designers exhibit there, at the same time offering their prototypes for sale; something remains from each exhibition, so that the space becomes increasingly dense.
Ragnhildur Johanns is a coeditor of the magazine ENDEMI.
At the Harpa Concert Hall, codesigned by Olafur Eliasson, visitors can be guided through the building by singers, and test out the acoustics through musical vocalization. If one leaves Reykjavik, it is best to be guided – as we were – by the artist and activist Osk Vilhjalmsdottir.
If one leaves Reykjavik, it is best to be guided – as we were – by the artist and activist Osk Vilhjalmsdottir.
Our trip took us to the Öxarafoss Waterfall in Thingvellir National Park, and to Stykkishólmur, to Roni Horn's "Library of Water."
Roni Horn – who lives part of the time on Iceland – has collected water from 24 different glaciers, and combined them with Icelandic and English words that characterize the changing states of water, as well as of the human psyche. The experience of the overpowering and dominating nature, along with an awareness of the fragility of this island, have sensitized people here in a very special way to spiritual values, and in particular to language and literature.
Back in Reykjavik, we visit the exhibition space "Safn," created by the collector Petúr Arason the artist Ragna Robertsdottir. Both have collected works by Dieter Roth, among others.
We meet Dieter Roth's son Björn – who was born and grew up on Iceland – at the National Gallery in Reykjavik in an exhibition dedicated to the relationship between Icelandic art and music.
Thanks to Katharina Sieverding for this empathic selection of portraits.
Text: Marion Ackermann, Artistic Director of the Kunstsammlung,
all photographs: © Katharina Sieverding
The trip was organized by the Society of Friends of the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen e.V.. Additional information on the Friends is available on the webpages of the Kunstsammlung:
Travelers to Iceland can find useful information on the webpages of the above-named galleries and museums:
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