Pushing reality

Icelandic Photography

Hreinn Fridfinnsson, Sigurdur Gudjonsson, Sigurdur Gudmundsson, Kristinn E. Hrafnsson, Gudrun Kristjansdottir, Dodda Maggy, Daniel Reuter, Spessi, Anna Thorhallsdottir

The history of Iceland is a long and adventurous saga. The settlement of the island is generally believed to have begun in the second half of the 9th century, when Norse settlers migrated across the North Atlantic; a shortage of arable land in Scandinavia may have been one of the reasons for the resettlement. Unlike Britain and Ireland, Iceland was unpopulated and could be claimed without warring with the inhabitants. The exhibition showcases works by nine Icelandic photographers of different generations – their relationship to Iceland's history and traditions are woven into their art. In this respect, we are drawing special attention to how Icelandic photographers deal with the concept of the four elements – earth, air, fire, and water. The elements are very visible and important on Iceland; they are part of the traditional folklore and historically related to the first migration. The group exhibition Pushing Reality will combine and compare the generations when Iceland was more isolated with today’s travelling generation.