Koddu. The Icelandic Case

Koddu. The Icelandic Case

The Living Art Museum, Nýlistasafnið, Reykjavík

It is in this context of societal and economic pragmatism that the art world has begun to increasingly comply with utilitarian agendas. Icelandic art and artists are now an integral part of the social and community service rationale, of economic planning and nation-branding projects. Attempting to unravel neoliberal governmental modes of “managerializing” society, including the arts, the exhibition reflects upon “diffuse and subtle” methods of governance and raises questions as to what presuppositions are built into artistic activities, values, and ambitions.

This analysis of the Icelandic cultural politics, however, is a sensitive and highly political subject. The engagement in critical discussions on the relationship of systems of representation and ideology, as attempted in this project, faces opposition from the cultural institutional apparatus and other agencies that have a vested interest in promoting Icelandic arts and culture. The content of Koddu has stirred forthright agitation and antagonism and as a result the project was censored out of its original exhibition venue. It is now being shown in an extended version at The Living Art Museum, Reykjavik focusing primarily on new artistic commissions.

ARTIST
Ásmundur Ásmundsson, Baldvin Einarsson, Bjarni Helgason, Bryndís Björnsdóttir, Erling Th. Klingenberg, Goddur, Gunnhildur Hauksdóttir, Kristín Hrefnudóttir, Ingvar Högni Ragnarsson, Intrum Justitia, Guðrún Ólafsdóttir, Hannes Lárusson, Hekla Dögg Jónsdóttir, Huginn Þór Arason, Haraldur Jónsson, Hlynur Hallsson, Jóna Hlíf Halldórsdóttir, Karlotta Blöndal, Jón Örn Loðmfjörð, MoMs, Magnús Sigurðarson, Páll Haukur Björnsson, Ólafur Ólafsson/Libía Castro, Ólafur Sveinn Gíslason, Ósk Vilhjálmsdóttir, Ragnar Kjartansson, Snorri Ásmundsson, Sigurður Hjartarson, Unnar Örn Auðarson, Þorvaldur Þorsteinsson, Þorgerður Sigurðardóttir.

DURATION: April 16 - May 15, 2011

LOCATION: The Living Art Museum, Reykjavík and Hugmyndahúsið (Alliance Warehouse), Reykjavík, Iceland

http://www.tba21.org/projects/105/page_2?category=projects