Kristján Leósson & Kristína Aðalsteinsdóttir
“Ljósvaki //Æther 1.0.1.”
BERG Contemporary – Until March 21, 2020 Reykjavík (Iceland)
Ljósvaki // Æther 1.0.1. The vaguely familiar title of the exhibition can be traced back to a collection of theories on the imaginary element æther. Which was supposed to be present everywhere in the universe. And had the quality of transporting light through time. As well as space. This theory was later demystified by Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity.
The spellbinding moment lived while looking through a crystal of Icelandic spar. And the world doubles in an instant. Due to the refraction of light. Is the source material for the works that Selma Hreggviðsdóttir and Sirra Sigrún Sigurðardóttir can see here. While shedding light on the curious history of an extraordinary Icelandic natural phenomenon. Still hidden from many.
17th century.
It is in the 17th century. That fragments of Spar from Iceland have been transported along the mountain. Along tiny streams near Helgustaðir in eastern Iceland. They caught the attention of the locals. As well as Danish merchants who settled nearby. Once people started digging in the mountain, gigantic Iceland Spar rocks were discovered. Some up to a meter tall, sources say.
Exhibition.
The two artists’ exhibition is part of an ongoing research project on the phenomena mentioned above. With the first chapter already exhibited at Eskifjörður in the summer of 2019. This time, Sirra Sigrún and Selma present the exhibition space of BERG Contemporary with a new appearance. Only allowed by polarized view through Iceland Spar. In their video Extraordinary Ray (2020). In addition to capturing the flash of a moment created inside the crystallized dome of the University of Iceland. Originally produced by Guðmundur de Miðdalur and Guðjón Samúelsson (former Icelandic state architect). In their unique work Hvelfing (2020).
BERG Contemporary – Klapparstígur 16, 101 Reykjavík (Iceland)
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