April 13–June 10, 2017
Opening: Thursday, April 13, 6pm,
with live music by Megas at 7:30pm
International Print Center New York
508 West 26th Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10001
www.ipcny.org
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International Print Center New York (IPCNY) is pleased to present Other Hats: Icelandic Printmaking, a group exhibition showcasing the breadth of printmaking by Icelandic artists. Featuring screenprints, etchings, digital work, artist’s books, and 3D prints, among other works, by over 20 intergenerational Icelandic artists, the exhibition also includes prints by select international artists who have spent enough time in Iceland to have absorbed the ethos of the country. The work includes underlying themes of storytelling, mythmaking, portraiture, landscape and mapping, and the interrogation of materials.
The exhibition’s title has two meanings: first, printmaking is often a practice done in parallel with other media and disciplines, and second, Iceland’s uniquely small population often prompts people to hold two or more careers in parallel. For these artists, printmaking is a vital form of artistic expression that both draws from and contributes to their practices in painting, sculpture, and photography—and, in some cases, other disciplines altogether. Exhibiting artists Magnús Þór Jónsson (Megas), one of Iceland’s most renowned songwriters; Hallgrímur Helgason, one of the country’s celebrated authors; and Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir, also known as Shoplifter, whose work in fashion design has included collaborations with Björk, are just three striking examples of this multidisciplinary approach. One of Björk‘s handmade artist’s books, Um Urnat frá Björk (1984), will also be on display.
“This exhibition is an occasion to ask artists about the thought process behind making prints as distinct from working in other media. It offers a selection of ingenious approaches to printmaking in Iceland, by artists working in and out of the country,” explain co-curators Ingibjörg Jóhannsdóttir (Reykjavík), and Pari Stave (New York). Artists include: Arnar Herbertsson, Birgir Andrésson, Björk Guðmundsdóttir, Dieter Roth, Eygló Harðardóttir, Georg Guðni, Guðjón Ketilsson, Hallgrímur Helgason, Helgi Þorgils Friðjónsson, Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir, Hrafnkell Sigurðsson, Katrín Sigurðardóttir, Kristján Daviðsson, Leifur Ýmir Eyjólfsson, Magnús Þór Jónsson (Megas), Per Kirkeby, Roni Horn, Sara Riel, Rúna Þorkelsdóttir, Rúrí, Sigurður Árni Sigurðsson, Sigurður Atli Sigurðsson, Sigurður Guðmundsson, Sólveig Aðalsteinsdóttir, Þóra Sigurðardóttir, and Valgerður Guðlaugsdóttir.
The exhibition will be accompanied by an illustrated catalogue published by IPCNY featuring an essay by Icelandic novelist and businessman Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson on the Icelandic phenomenon of wearing multiple professional hats. Additionally, the catalogue will include an essay by the co-curators on the history of printmaking in Iceland, along with entries on the artists and statements about their work.
Extensive free public programming will include live music by Megas (Magnús Þór Jónsson) on April 13, an interactive drop-in space Print & Friends Unltd. on April 15, and a live podcast interview Person, Place, Thing with Hallgrímur Helgason on June 1.
Free public programs
Thursday, April 13, 7:30pm
Following the opening reception, IPCNY at the Penthouse will host live music by Megas (Magnús Þór Jónsson), one of Iceland’s most influential songwriters. An iconoclast and provocateur credited with recording Iceland’s first punk song, Megas will be joined by Icelandic guitarist Kristinn H. Árnason.
Saturday, April 15, 1–5pm
IPCNY will host Print & Friends Unltd., an interactive drop-in space that explores printmaking as method and social practice. Artists and academics Leifur Ýmir Eyjólfsson and Sigurður Atli Sigurðsson will be joined by Paul John of Endless Editions, New York for print workshops and performances. Informal talks by exhibition co-curator Ingibjörg Jóhannsdóttir and selected exhibiting artists will explore accessibility, dissemination, and sustainability relating to the medium of print.
Thursday, June 1, 2017, 6–8pm
IPCNY will host an evening exhibition viewing and Person, Place, Thing live podcast interview by Randy Cohen with Hallgrímur Helgason, exhibiting artist and published author, translator, and cartoonist. Hallgrímur will speak about one person, one place, and one thing that are important to him; and read from the forthcoming English translation of his novel, Woman at 1,000-Degrees, to be published by Algonquin Books in 2018.
