Thomsen's 'Imported Landscape' is a series of photographs depicting the devastating transformation of the landscape at Karahnjukar when culture with all its precise technology and planning attacks the pristine natural landscape around Hafrahvammagljufur by restructuring it severely. El'asson's 'Cars in rivers' describes man's struggle with unpredictable nature, while the series might depict symbolically the financial crisis in Iceland in the last couple of years which can be equated with the drowning of highland jeeps in violent torrents.
Pétur Thomsen
Imported Landscape
Pétur Thomsen (1973) won the presitigeous LVMH young artists award in 2007 when this pursued prize was conferred the tenth time. Imported Landscape is a magnificent series of photographs depicting the devastating transformation of the landscape at Kárahnjúkar when culture with all its precise technology and planning attacks the pristine natural landscape around Hafrahvammagljúfur by restructuring it severely. Enormous bulldozers go about the area, leaving it torn like flesh bitten by a violin spider. Thomsen describes this uneven game with dramatic objectivity which leaves the viewer totally perplexed.
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Cars in rivers
An exhibition of six photo series by Ólafur Elíasson.
Cars in rivers, 2009 describes man‘s struggle with unpredictable nature, while the series might depict symbolically the financial crisis in Iceland in the last couple of years which can be equated with the drowning of highland jeeps in violent torrents.
Jökla Series, 2005 is the artist‘s account of the glacial river Jökulsá á Dal (Jökla), from its glacial source to the area where the dam at Kárahnjúkar was constructed, by the time when the dam was already taking shape. Subsequently the artist followed the river quite far in the direction of the ocean. As the river has been transformed completely the documentary value of the series is unique.
In addition three recent photo series from 2010 are displayed, showing the barren interior of Iceland, ravaged by ice and wind, yet fostering plants and cultural remains where least expected and Green river series.
For further information please contact Iris Stefansdottir at i8 Gallery on +354 551 3666 or iris@i8.is
Image: Ólafur Elíasson, Cars in rivers, 2009
Opening 16 September 2010
National Gallery of Iceland
Fríkirkjuvegur 7, 101 Reykjavík
Hours: daily 11am - 5pm
Closed monday