Artwork 'Bogi' by Sigurður Árni Sigurðsson chosen for Orkan Site

Agreements between Reykjavík City and property owners stipulate that funds be allocated for public art in development areas to ensure a high-quality urban environment. The piece was chosen from proposals submitted to a competition held last fall for public art at the Orkan Site.

Enhances the Orkan Site's Identity

The selection committee's statement reads: "Sigurður Árni Sigurðsson's artwork 'Bogi' unifies the new Orkan Site's visual identity by linking its varied residential buildings, expansive public space, and diverse common areas. The piece consists of several stainless steel arches of varying sizes, which will be installed near the new buildings at the Orkan Site. The artwork will be located in multiple places—in the public park, outdoor recreation area, stairwells, and parking garages—bringing a dynamic quality to the space. The work draws attention to its surroundings and the relationship between elements. For example, the arch, or half-circle, will be visible to passersby at ground level in the public park while also extending down into the parking garage. In this way, the artwork not only connects the different areas of the Orkan Site's public space but also evokes ideas about what is visible versus what is hidden. The piece will cast shadows that move with the sun and create beautiful reflections, as it will be partially set in a pond," the official statement says.

A landmark for the site

"Walking paths in the public space at the Orkan Site connect nearby neighborhoods to Laugardalur, placing the environment and artworks on a popular route. The artwork 'Bogi' is simple in form, fitting well with the design already planned for the Orkan Site's public space. Its scale is also substantial enough to complement the surrounding buildings and is expected to become a landmark for the site," the selection committee's official statement adds.

Sigurður Árni Sigurðsson has held more than 50 solo exhibits and participated in numerous group shows around the world. He represented Iceland at the Venice Biennale in 1999, his work was chosen as the symbol for Reykjavík, Cultural City of Europe in 2000, and in 2020 a major retrospective exhibit was mounted at the Reykjavík Art Museum covering his career from its beginning to the present day.

Major works in public spaces

He is an active participant in Iceland's fine arts scene through exhibits, teaching, and public discourse. Sigurður Árni has worked as a guest instructor at Iceland Academy of the Arts, Reykjavík School of Visual Arts and at the art academy in Montpellier — École Supérieure des Beaux Arts Montpellier in France — and has given lectures on fine arts in both Iceland and France. In addition to his works being featured in all of Iceland's major art museums and in public and private collections abroad, several of his larger pieces have been installed in public spaces. These include the outdoor artwork 'Sólalda' at Sultartangi Power Station, 'Ljós í skugga' at the Hlíðar Care Home in Akureyri, the outdoor artwork 'L'éloge de la nature' in the town of Loupian in southern France, the wall artwork 'Sól úr norðri' at Vinastræti 14-16 in Urriðaholt in Garðabær and 'Leikur með ljós og skugga' at Héðinsreit.

• View more artworks in development areas on Reykjavík City's website