A New Art Emerges

Kjarvalsstaðir

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What happens when a new paradigm in art takes over from another? Does one simply merge into another or are there conflicts and cross currents? The mid-1960s saw a dramatic generational shift in Icelandic art.

The landscape art that had dominated the first half of the century no longer answered the call of the times and while abstraction had gained many followers in the 1950s, its influence was already waning.

Similar changes took place in literature, theater and music – the spirit of experimentation was felt everywhere. The new generation wanted something entirely new and was prepared to look in the unlikeliest places to find inspiration.

The exhibition explores the exciting new art produced in this period and atmosphere on the cultural scene as a new art began to emerge. Artists:
Jón Gunnar Árnason, Dieter Roth, Jóhann Eyfells, Magnús Tómasson, Róska, Sigurjón Jóhannsson, Magnús Pálsson, Jes Einar Þorsteinsson, Gunnar S.

Magnússon, Vilhjálmur Bergsson, Tryggvi Ólafsson, Kristján Guðmundsson, Sigurður Guðmundsson, Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir, Erró, Dagur Sigurðarson, Alfreð Flóki og Magnús Blöndal Jóhannsson. Programme:

Sunday 18 September 3 p.m. Kjarvalsstaðir – A New Art Emerges & Fringeberry
Curator’s talk with Jón Proppé and musical performance by pianist Tinna Þorsteinsdóttir.

Sunday 9 October 3 p.m. Kjarvalsstaðir – A New Art Emerges & Fringeberry
Bjarki Sveinbjörnsson, the director of the Music Museum in Iceland, discusses musical experiments in the 1960s. Pianist Tinna Þorsteinsdóttir plays piano pieces from the same period.

Sunday 23 October 3 p.m.

Kjarvalsstaðir – A New Art Emerges
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the former President of Iceland and founder of the experimental theater group Gríma, talks with curator Jón Proppé.

Wednesday 26 October 8 p.m. Kjarvalsstaðir – A New Art Emerges & Fringeberry
Pianist Tinna Þorsteinsdóttir plays Icelandic music from the 1960s.

Sunday 30 October 3 p.m. Kjarvalsstaðir – A New Art Emerges & Fringeberry
Curator Jón Proppé moderates a talk on literature in the 1960s. Pianist Tinna Þorsteinsdóttir plays works from the same period..