When the artist Sigtryggur Bjarni Baldvinsson and the scientist Pedro Rodriges met in Raufarhöfn a few years back, they quickly bonded over their shared interest in the natural world; studying and witnessing environmental changes currently unravelling. Pedro is located in Raufarhöfn in the research centre RIF which monitors the evolution of fauna and flora in the Tundra environment of the plain of Melrakaslétta. Alarmed by the urgency of the current climate crisis, they decided to initiate an experimental exhibition project, inviting artists to Melrakaslétta. This project aimed to immerse artists in the environment, history, and potential future of the region by becoming intimate with a place.
For two consecutive summers, a group of 14 artists visited the Northernmost inhabited region of mainland Iceland. They spent time together, hiked together, sat in silence, observed the moss and birds and started to embody the variety of the Slétta, its history, richness, and beauty but also the challenges that nature and societies face.
Upon returning to their respective studios, each artist developed new work inspired by their experiences in the Northeast. Through artistic research, embedded within their practice, each work directly responds to what they have witnessed.
With this project, we aim to bring awareness to current issues that the Slétta is facing, but also more generally the current climate crisis. Each piece offers a unique perspective, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of complex problems.
This experimental way of exhibition-making was successful in allowing the artists to embody a place, a history, and knowledge through meeting people, places, non-humans, talking, feeling, and being. I am pleased to see how each work became very personal, respectful of the Slétta, but also critical and thought-provoking.
The exhibition primarily takes place in Óskarsbraggi, both in the exhibition space on the ground floor, facing the harbour, and in the upper floors spreading throughout the building. Another part of the exhibition takes place outside, in the village of Raufarhöfn, with outdoor sculptures, sound pieces and photographs. Finally, another artwork invites the visitors to venture all the way into the wild of the Slétta, about a 20-minute drive north of Raufarhöfn, into the tundra.
As an attempt to communicate and share the experience of this exhibition we have collected photographs from the show along with texts from the catalogue provided below, but of course, we highly recommend you to drop by Raufarhöfn for a full experience of the works.
Julie Sjöfn Gasiglia, curator.
Artists: Berglind Tómasdóttir, Bryndís Snæbjörnsdóttir, Einar Falur Ingólfsson, Kristín Reynisdóttir, Margrét H. Blöndal, Mark Wilson, Pétur Magnússon, Pétur Örn Friðriksson, Ósk Vilhjálmsdóttir, Sigtryggur Bjarni Baldvinsson, Snorri Freyr Hilmarsson, Sólveig Aðalsteinsdóttir, Ragnhildur Stefánsdóttir og Þórarinn Blöndal.
More info and images here : GO TO LINK
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