Due North Exhibition Challenges Icelandic Stereotypes at Philadelphia's Icebox Project Space
From January 9 to 25, 2014, Philadelphia's Icebox Project Space hosted the exhibition Due North / í nordur, which aimed to challenge stereotypes about Iceland through the works of Icelandic and American artists. Curated by Marianne Bernstein, who also showcased her art, the event included five U.S. artists who traveled to Iceland in February 2013. Among the Icelandic artists were Hrafnhilder Arnardóttir, Haraldur Jónsson, and Magnus Sigurðarson, while American participants included Katie Baldwin and Bernstein herself. The exhibition featured video art by David Scott Kessler and Ragnar Kjartansson, showcasing diverse styles. Rúrí's Future Cartography III focused on the effects of climate change, highlighting Iceland's welcoming culture and dispelling notions of isolation among its 320,000 inhabitants.
Key facts
- Exhibition ran January 9-25, 2014 at Icebox Project Space in Philadelphia
- Curated by Marianne Bernstein, who organized a grant-funded trip for five U.S. artists to Iceland in February 2013
- Featured Icelandic artists Hrafnhilder Arnardóttir, Haraldur Jónsson, Magnus Sigurðarson, Guðmundar Hallgrímson (MUNDI), Ragnar Kjartansson, and Rúrí
- Included American artists Katie Baldwin, Marianne Bernstein, Cindi Ettinger, Katya Gorker, and David Scott Kessler
- Video works ranged from David Scott Kessler's large-scale projections to Ragnar Kjartansson's 10-minute monitor piece Guilt Trip
- Icelandic population of 320,000 maintains an archaic language distinct from English and German
- Show addressed themes like climate change, banking collapse, and cultural stereotypes
- Highlighted Iceland's culture of "singing and making" where visual artists cross into music
Entities
Artists
- Hrafnhilder Arnardóttir
- Haraldur Jónsson
- Magnus Sigurðarson
- Guðmundar Hallgrímson
- MUNDI
- Ragnar Kjartansson
- Rúrí
- Katie Baldwin
- Marianne Bernstein
- Cindi Ettinger
- Katya Gorker
- David Scott Kessler
- Warner Sallman
- Jon Stewart
Institutions
- Icebox Project Space
- Crane Arts LLC
- Nes residency
- artcritical
Locations
- Philadelphia
- Pennsylvania
- United States
- Iceland
- Skagaströnd