In Between Final Days

Because I had to leave Iceland suddenly, I had to take down In Between at Wind and Weather Gallery a few days early. It took about three hours to disassemble, and just like that the show was over, which always feels strange. I'm so happy I had my near two months there, though. I am grateful for the opportunity and so pleased with the experience.

Thanks to Kathy Clark at Wind and Weather for inviting me to show this piece at the gallery. It was such a pleasure! 

Thanks for reading.

In Between Continues

Image taken by Andrzej Broda

In Between has been on view at Wind and Weather Gallery for just over a month now and will continue its run through February 26. I went to visit it for the first time since returning to Reykjavík the other day. It's always so nice to see work on display again. It's like see an old friend or something. 

In Between is included in the Reykjavík paper, Grapevine, which was so fun to discover. I knew it might happen but was pleasantly surprised upon finding it.

I'm also still collecting images of the piece taken by viewers, like the one pictured at the top taken by my friend, Andrzej Broda. I would like to get more, so again, if you happen to be in Reykjavík on holiday or live here, please do take a look and snap a quick photo. You can email it to me at atavern@gmail.com. The gallery is located at Hverfisgata 37, just past the corner of Klapparstígur.

Thanks for reading. 

In Between in Iceland

After a break, I am back... and now in Iceland! I arrived on December 30 at 6:45am, took a two-hour nap once I got to my friend's place, and then started installing "In Between" at Veður or Vindur, or Wind and Weather Gallery, in downtown Reykjavík. The gallery is a window gallery and the exhibitions are viewed from the sidewalk or street. The work is always on display so visitors can stop by anytime, day or night. I really love this about this unconventional space: the work is accessible to everyone, which feels important and exciting to me.

It took me three days to install with the help of a friend on one of those days. I had prepared some in my studio in the US which was very helpful, but deliberately chose to do just a little in advance. Even though I'm familiar with the gallery, I had no idea how "In Between" would work there. I think it's best to be as open as possible in situations like this and I wanted to allow the piece to take a new form in the new space. I'm so pleased with the new version and to be exhibiting at this gallery, and in Iceland! What a great way to start the New Year! "In Between" is on view through February 26. The gallery is located at Hverfisgata 37, 101 Reykjavík.

Please also visit Wind and Weather on Facebook, as well as its sister gallery, Better Weather.

Thanks for reading.

Space for Time

For someone accustomed to working constantly and producing lots of things consistently, my deliberate choice to slow down and shift my focus at Sím was challenging. I spent three months there and in all those days I had nothing but time; time to think and process, time to read and write, time to look and rest. I remember sitting in my studio and struggling to relax into this time, though. It was hard to feel good about not making anything. I felt uncomfortable and found myself feeling guilty at the end of the day when I had nothing tangible to show for my efforts. But, I was persistent and I told myself it was ok.

When I arrived at Sím I had a typed list of goals and plans, which I promptly deleted. I tried to go about my day with as little structure as possible, finding the right times to do certain things according to what I felt like doing versus what I should be doing. I read without taking notes and I stopped reading if the topic was not interesting. I also stopped reading to go for long walks when the weather was good.

And I found a way, sometimes awkwardly, to balance my ambition with a slower-pace and to find productivity in a different way of working. I developed ideas and intentions for new work and I dove deeper into why I make art. I did end up making things including photographs, videos and even a full scale-project, but all were made with a very different intention: I made them just to make them. I realize my time at Sím, and in Iceland, was luxurious and precious, and I believe it will provide more than I can possibly imagine in the future.

The pictures posted here are just a few I took around the residency.

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Corner of My Eye: Dada Peak

The poster for Dada Peak caught my eye one day as I walked along Laugevegur, the busy "main street" of Reykjavík. I saw that dramatic, sculpture object and veered off course to get a closer look. The exhibition of sculptural rings by Benas Staskauskas was opening the next day and I was excited I would be able to catch it in time.

Benas website

The show was at an Icelandic craft and design gallery called Kirsuberjatréð and it did not disappoint. The rings were displayed on shelves suspended from the ceiling at different levels and each ring was carefully placed; each had a presence all its own and together they created a collective identity. The rings were quite varied in size, color, texture and material but with a definite aesthetic style running throughout. I was impressed with the variety, details and the size of the collection, which numbered over 50 pieces.

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Sjáumst

a favorite mural

Sjáumst means "see you later" in Icelandic, which is the attitude I'm trying to take in my last moments here; I fly back to the US tomorrow morning. These past three months have been incredible. I did everything I wanted to do and so much more than I ever could have imagined. Once I'm settled into my studio in Richfield Springs, I will share my thoughts. For now, here are some more pictures of Reykjavík:

dramatic sky looking out into the harbor from Harpa

hallway at my favorite pool

a house in my neighborhood

inside the dome of Perlan

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My Hands are in It, Part One

When I first arrived in Reykjavík I met Kathy Clark, an American artist who lives here with her Icelandic family. Her work, usually in the form of mixed-media installation, is like looking at dark fairy tales, rich with narrative and secrets. Kathy is preparing for a solo show at the Reykjavík Art Museum next year and I've been helping Kathy in her studio. Not only am I making things for her, but also talking with her about space and creating pieces that fill spaces. On one of our first meetings, we went to the museum with a diagram of her vision for the show and walked around the room. We took measurements and discussed where things will go. It was very interesting for me to think in this way, on such a bigger scale than I am used to, and to listen to Kathy talk about her work and how it will fit in the gallery. In the studio, I'm making an 8' gate that will be part of one of the vignettes in the show. Kathy drew a scale diagram for me and I have been bending and binding wire to recreate it.

Kathy also runs Wind and Weather Gallery ("Veður go Vindur" in Icelandic). The gallery is a window space, accessible anytime of the day to anyone. It's a wonderful way to connect art to everyone in the city. Kathy is a pretty incredible artist and gallerist and such a wonderful person. In addition to the great work experience I'm getting, I have a new friend whom I am going to miss immensely when I return to the U.S. 

Thanks for reading.

Sím Progress Report: More RVK Observations

walking along the coastline

Here are more photos taken while walking around Reykjavík. Walking is one of the best ways for me to process what is happening with my work. It allows my mind to relax and wander with intention, while the added layer of taking photographs keeps me sharp and observant. 

a sponge!

Grandi (the old harbor)

on my street

in a friend's neighborhood

See the entire album on Flickr.

Thanks for reading.

Sím Progress Report: New Studio

I moved into a new studio at Sím for my last month. This space is on the other side of the residency building but still has a similar view. I basically kept the set up the same which made the transition easier. I'm reading some new books, too...

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Sím Progress Report: Thoughts

Over the past two months at Sím I've been writing about ideas for new sculptural work/installation and what I would like to achieve through its creation. My thoughts so far are just thoughts but they do feel solid and give me the feeling I'm on the right path. Here's a list of some words and phrases I'm focusing on and will continue to consider now that I've begun my third and final month at Sím:

space

immersion

(changing) perspective

creating a feeling

giving pause

layering

silence

solitude

warmth

capturing

illuminating

elevating

light and shadow

observations

accessibility

place
subtlety
anything and everything can be a material

Thanks for reading.

RVK Art: From Another Country

The Dance by Christine Candolin from Själö 9

In addition to all the great Icelandic art and design, I have also been to a number of exhibitions featuring the work of artists from other places… The image above was taken at an exhibition about an island called Själö where people with mental illness were sent. The exhibition was rather dark and sad, but beautiful. I especially like this piece, a film projected on the wall and then reflected below on black acrylic.

Ignacio Uriarte at i8 Gallery

Ignacio uses office supplies to make his work…this piece was made using simple paper and 128 different typewriters

Library of Water by Roni Horn in Stykkishólmur

 a collection of water samples from each glacier in Iceland

Documentary by Tim Braden at Lost and Found at Norræna húsið

Lost and Found was an exhibition/performance including a variety of works like film, music, photography, and performance art. Most of the pieces were projected on a giant screen in front of the audience… it was a wonderful mix of pieces, each unique and well-done. 

Thanks for reading.

RVK Art: More Icelandic Artists

scultpure by Ragnheiður Gestsdóttir at Kunstalager

After publishing yesterday's post, I realized I had to write a second entry about Icelandic artists…

 Austerland: Designs from Nowhere at Spark Design

drawings by Þórdís Erla Zoega at Týsgallerí 

Still Life? by Ragnheiður Káradóttir at Wind and Weather Gallery

(This gallery is literally just this window space. One artist shows work for two months and it's one view all the time...a fantastic concept for a gallery for everyone.)

quilt by Siggi Odds at The Culture House

Thanks for reading.

RVK Art, Part 1: Icelandic Artists

Þúfa by Ólöf Nordal

I've been going to a lot of exhibitions and seeing tons of inspiring art since I arrived in Iceland. Here's a  nutshell version with links wherever possible so you can check out the work, too… One of the first things I went to see was the top piece by Ólöf Nordal, located in Grandi, Reykjavík's old harbor. I've been wanting to see it ever since I read about it on I Heart Reykjavík over the winter! It's a man-made hill with a path that spirals from the ground to the top, ending with a traditional fish-drying shed. 

dress by Svava Magdalena Arnarsdottir 

Master's Degree show, Iceland Academy of the Arts

Reykjavík Art Museum

I went to the Master's Degree show at the museum last year and was impressed with how sophisticated the work was. This year was equally impressive--I especially liked the clothing, again, and this dress in particular. 

Glit by Jóhönnu Helgu Þorkelsdóttur at Þoka

Jóhönna's beautiful black and white video appears to cast a shadow of a window and what's happening outside it. The images slowly move around the room just as light and shadow would during the day.

Mixtúrur by Inga Birgisdóttir at Mengi

Inga's intricate line drawings on fabric combine different scientific drawings to form unusual narratives.

The Remains by Katla Rós Völu-og Gunnarsdóttir 

Master's Degree show, Icelandic Academy of the Arts

at Gerðarsafn in Kópavogi

I absolutely love this piece by Katla Rós: an installation about her mother who died recently. The piece includes all of her mother's possessions in a tall stack of shrink-wrapped boxes, complemented by photographs and letters arranged on the surrounding walls. 

I created a special album on Facebook with more images from even more exhibitions and galleries. You can visit it here.

Thanks for reading.