SKRÝMSLIN

Reykjavik City Hall, exhibition opened on July 7, 2007.


Skrýmslin eru skrímsli í laginu eins vort Ísland. These monsters are pronounced as "Screamsli," and are cast in translucent resins and seem to swim around in the city hall space.

Presented in Reykjavík City Hall on July 7th 2007 in an exhibition by Olafur Thordarson featuring various works related to liquid. The monsters are a direct reference to the nearby rooms, including the topographical map of Iceland in the adjacent space. The city central pond right outside becomes an integral part of these works, as the initial hint of a liquid presence.

The monsters suggest a reworking of the national icon, i.e. the landmap of Iceland transformed into an other image, a depiction of illusions/delusions affecting the real IcelandER, questioning what is Icelandic, who is at work and to which ends. A change is taking place in a commonly understood identity; into a paranoid, angry, teeth-showing, hungry consuming, on the edge, mad, encircling, threatening and threatened, self centered image. Aware of eating or to be eaten. It is the new way of living, replacing the collaborating, cooperating, fostering spirit of oldER generations with an egotist nightmare. Perhaps it is a ghost of the future. Or monstrosities encircling the island in the ocean as in the 1585 landmap of Iceland accredited to Bishop Guðbrandur Þorláksson. Forming a circle in the city hall exhibit space, the monsters surrounded the viewer like a scool of preying sea animals, perhaps akin to piranha fish. Perhaps like lawyers, investors, politicians or a crazed mob. Easier viewing and access can be a difficult mirror.