The Biennale arte 2019 came to a close
The 58th International Art Exhibition ‘May You Live In Interesting Times’ organized by La Biennale di Venezia chaired by Paolo Baratta and curated by Ralph Rugoff was closed, Sunday, November 24th, 2019.
The Icelandic Pavilion proved to be a very successful exhibition. The immersive installation ‘Chromo Sapiens’ by Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir / Shoplifter, and curated by Birta Guðjónsdóttir had over 36.000 visitors and press coverage from all over the world.
Opium Natura. Photo by Elísabet Davíðsdóttir.
About the exhibition:
“Artist Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir / Shoplifter transformed a warehouse in Giudecca into a multi-sensory, cavernous environment with a cacophonous amount of her signature material, synthetic hair. Color, sound and irresistible textures guided visitors through three distinct chambers provoking an immersive experience of visual and auditory stimuli.
Entering Chromo Sapiens, you found yourself in Primal Opus, a dark passage of emanating volcanic earthy hues, activated by the sub terra sound of the Icelandic cult metal band HAM. The second chamber erupted into a shockingly bright undulation of colored neon hair tufts. Aptly named Astral Gloria, her soaring cathedral ceiling and sheer emersion of chromatic opulence generated a kind of euphoric kinetic synesthesia. Opium Natura, the final cave flutters effortlessly into a soft landing of shimmering whites and pale soothing pastels, a fluffy heavenly nest that cradles you into a sense of serenity and sublime gentle bliss.”
Installation view. Photo by Elísabet Davíðsdóttir.
The Icelandic Art Center would like to use the opportunity to thank the main sponsors of Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir exhibition, Ásmundarsalur, Promote Iceland, Reykjavík Art Museum, Kristin Olafssdottir & Thor Bjorgolfsson and Hampiðjan for their generous support, providing vital substructure in order to realize the project.
The installation will now travel to Reykjavík where it will be exhibited in the Reykjavík Art Museum in late January.
A selection of the press coverage is included below.
