Hello Universe

The avant-garde art of Finnur Jónsson – the first Icelandic artist to address outer space in his works, in the first half of the 20th century – presents the artist's unfettered interpretation of the marvels of the celestial bodies, which are the theme of this exhibition.

In the art of Ásgrímur Jónsson and Guðmundur Thorsteinsson (Muggur), from the first half of the 20thcentury, we see how heavenly bodies play a role in folklore and tales, as moonlight reveals mystical beings to human sight, and the rays of the rising sun turn night-trolls to stone. The exhibition also includes many pieces from the 1960s and 70s, when rapid advances in space technology took humans beyond the bounds of the Earth's atmosphere for the first time.

Space and art share the common qualities of being interesting and mutable: they are in constant motion, and new discoveries are always being made when one looks at art. Tumi, the protagonist of artist Ásgerður Búadóttir's bookThe Red Hat and the Raven, will guide the youngest visitors around the exhibition in an accessible way, to explore the scientific perspective and learn something new!

Halldór Ásgeirsson'sAurora Borealis Barshimmers with colourful light; and Steina Vasulka's installationOf the Northtransports the observer with her into an intense experience.

The secrets of the Milky Way, revealed by aged astrologers with predictions about weather and human destiny, inspire works by Hildigunnur Birgisdóttir and Svavar Guðnason.

Artists:

Ásgrímur Jónsson
Björg Þorsteinsdóttir
Erró
Eyborg Guðmundsdóttir
Finnur Jónsson 
Guðmunda Andrésdóttir
Guðmundur Thorsteinsson (Muggur)
Halldór Ásgeirsson
Helgi Þorgils Friðjónsson
Hildigunnur Birgisdóttir
Hildur Hákonardóttir
Hreinn Friðfinnsson
Jóhann Eyfells
Jón Gunnar Árnason
Keith Grant
Kristinn E. Hrafnsson
Margrét Elíasdóttir
Sigurjón Ólafsson
Steina
Svavar Guðnason
Sverrir Haraldsson
Vilhjálmur Bergsson
Þorvaldur Skúlason