The City of Reykjavík and Veitur hosted a competition for two light artworks in the city's public spaces for the Winter Lights Festival 2024, last December. The jury has reviewed the submitted proposals and the result is available.
The selected works are:
Glitstein works by Katerina Blahutova, visual artist and Francesco Fabris, sound artist.
The jury's reasoning states, among other things: "The work is a light sculpture that evokes connections with winter and darkness, but also with the relationship between man and nature." Man-made ice cubes made of treated plastic remind us of the fallibility of glacial ice and the human part in natural changes. The choice of location is intriguing and the work will surprise passers-by."
Hafnar.haus Hringekja- work by Owen Hindley, digital visual artist and Þorstein Eyfjörð, sound artist.
The jury's reasoning states, among other things: "The idea of mobilizing a community of creative artists in artist-run studios at Vetrarhátít is open and interesting." The way it is built, offers a diverse approach to different works and the visibility of the group that works in Hafnarhaus, while drawing attention to an unusual perspective in the townscape."
The goal of the competition was to mobilize ingenuity and innovation that supports a creative and vibrant city. The artists behind the works receive a grant of one million ISK for each work. The amount shall be spent on the execution of the work and remuneration to the artists.
The jury consisted of Rebekka Guðmundsdóttir, urban designer, Sesselja Jónasdóttir, Art in Light project manager and Markús Þór Andrésson, head of Reykjavík Art Museum. The competition secretary and trustee was Guðmundur Birgir Halldórsson, project manager at the City of Reykjavík.
Veitur and the City of Reykjavík thank everyone who submitted proposals and congratulate the winners. We are looking forward to the Winter Lights Festival 2024 on the 1st-3rd. next February.