Due to new Covid restrictions which are valid as of 31st July (12:00) we announce that the cultural center at Skriðuklaustur will continue to be open daily from 10:00-18:00, both the exhibitions and the café. We expect our visitors to help us to keep the 2m social distance and the number limit of visitors according to each space. We rely on our guests to be understanding and patient because the service and space is limited and to use our facilities to wash and sanitize hands. You can book a table at Klausturkaffi café by phone 471-2992. Lunch is served from 11:30-14:00 and afternoon cakes from 15:00-17:00. While waiting you can have a look at the monastic ruins, try our maze or visit the next door information center for the Vatnajökull National Park. Be understanding, mindful, and supportive of each other. Civil defense is still in our hands!
The American artist Joan Perlman has opnened an exhibition in gallery Klaustur. The title of the video work on exhibit is _Drowning Pool_. It is "a work about healing and retribution, comprised of layered video and long durational sequences that convey the liminal presence at the confluence of past and present, blending dark history and momentary beauty. Irish composer Linda Buckley created the hauntingly resonant soundtrack, using voice and experimental media." The exhibition ends on 24th July.
"From Earth" an art exhibit by Harpa Dís Hakonardóttir opened in the gallery on Saturday June 13th. The exhibition is a conversation between materials from the area, clay from the banks of Selfljót and utility larch trees from Fljótsdalur. The clay overflows the paper that binds it and the tree frames it. The exhibition is a continuation of Harpa Dís's previous research on unburned clay, especially from Icelandic soil.
Harpa Dís Hákonardóttir (b. 1993) is an artist and writer, born and raised in Kopavogur. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from the Academy of Fine Arts in 2019 where she focused on sculpture and working with materials such as plaster, wood, concrete and clay. Harpa Dís was an artist in residency at Skriðuklaustur in September 2020 and the idea of the exhibit came to fruition during the stay.
The exhibition is sponsored by Skógarafurðir in Fljótsdalur. It is open every day from 10 till 6 and runs until July 3rd.
Saturday 16th May two exhibitions will be opened at Skriðuklaustur. In the Living room three artists will exhibit their works that bring new life to old handcraft traditions and worn clothes. They are: Þórdís Jónsdóttir known for her pillows with traditional flower embroidery; Philippe Recart who uses the old nordic weaving style for his fine textiles; and Ýr Jóhannsdóttir who decorates old jumpers with knitting and embroidery. This exhibition ends on 7th June and is in collaboration with Handverk & Hönnun.
In gallery Klaustur Úlfar Trausti Þórðarson will exhibit his exceptional photographs of landscape. He calls the exhibition Northeast landscape, which derives from that the pictures are taken in the north and east of Iceland. His exhibition ends on 11th June.
It is with pride that Gunnar Gunnarsson Institute presents a collaborative project with the Icelandic Film Archive and SinfoniaNord with two unique film concerts in Akureyri and Reykjavik, the 3rd and 10th of May. ATTENTION! DUE TO COVID-19 THE FILM CONCERTS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED TO 14TH AND 15TH MARCH 2021.
The film Sons of the Soil marks the beginning of film-making in Iceland. It was produced by Nordisk Films Kompagni by Gunnar Gunnarsson’s novel Guest the One-Eyed which brought him fame in Denmark. It was largely shot in Iceland in autumn 1919 and premiered a year later, one of the great films of Nordic film history during the silent movie era.
The director was Gunnar Sommerfeldt, who also played one of the leading roles. The leading actors were mostly Danish, apart from Guðmundur Thorsteinsson, better known as artist Muggur, who played the main character Ormarr Örlygsson and was widely praised for his performance.
Sons of the Soil drew a lot of attention and was shown in fifteen countries upon its release. In Iceland, it premiered early in 1921 and has been dear to the Icelandic people since. Long after the arrival of talking pictures, it was regularly shown in Nýja Bíó, to a full house, until the public broadcasting company took over around 1970.
To celebrate the film’s 100th anniversary, the Icelandic Film Archive, together with Dansk Film Institut, has reconstructed it in digital form and high definition. Composer Þórður Magnússon has composed a film score, as it is high time the film got its own original score on its centennial. Þórður has worked as a composer for over 25 years and received various awards and recognitions. The score is written for an orchestra of 40, and performed live by SinfoniaNord.
SinfoniaNord has in recent years specialized in performing film scores, both live and recorded. This is one of its biggest projects so far, as it is a three hour long silent movie. The orchestra is conducted by the safe hands of famous Finnish conductor Petri Sakari. He needs no introduction to Icelandic music lovers as he was the chief conductor of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra for years and has conducted many great musical projects around the world.
