KORRIRÓ OG DILLIDÓ
Pictures of Folklore and Fairy Tales by Ásgrímur Jónsson
2.2.2018 – 29.4.2018
,
Listasafn Íslands
Step into magic! The visual world of Icelandic folklore and fairytales created by Ásgrímur Jónsson in his art is a truly enchanted realm. Elves, trolls and ghosts, which had lived a nebulous existence in the Icelandic mind in the semi-darkness of the old turf farmhouse, were given a clear form in Ásgrímur’s art. He first exhibited such pieces in Iceland in 1905.
Ásgrímur’s works on folklore themes were well received; in the press, reviewers expressed delight that the folktale heritage was being addressed, for the first time, by an Icelandic artist. Ásgrímur’s depictions of the appearance of elves and trolls met with widespread approval; hence the artist appears to have succeeded in capturing the way that Icelanders in general imagined such beings.
The exhibition Korriró og Dillidó offers an ideal opportunity for all the family to experience the unique supernatural world of elves in their finery and terrifying trolls, as depicted with passionate sincerity by Ásgrímur Jónsson. The emphasis is on the visitor’s own imagination – offering the opportunity to enjoy this aspect of the cultural heritage, which can throw light upon the fears, dreams and desires of former generations – and their relationship with awe-inspiring Icelandic nature.
The National Gallery of Iceland collection incudes more than 1,000 works relating to folklore and fairy tales; and in Ásgrímur Jónsson’s sketchbooks are 2,000 drawings mainly inspired by that tradition. This exhibition displays a number of key works from Ásgrímur Jónsson’s large oeuvre of folklore pictures – both oils and watercolours, as well as numerous drawings. These include his interpretations of such tales as Father of Eighteen in the Elf World, Elfwoman Una, Tungustapi, the Night Troll, Gissur á Botnum, Búkolla, Mjaðveig Mánadóttir, the Tale of Hringur the King’s Son, Surtla of the Bláland Islands, the Deacon of Myrká and “Look into my glowing eye, Gunna.”
Sýningarnefnd og höfundar texta / Exhibition committee and authors:
Birta Guðjónsdóttir, Dagný Heiðdal, Ragnheiður Vignisdóttir, Rakel Pétursdóttir
Uppsetning sýningar og lýsing / Installing of exhibition and lighting:
Baldur Geir Bragason, Geirfinnur Jónsson, Hrafnhildur Guðmundsdóttir
Umsjón með íslenskum texta / Editor of Icelandic text: Gerður Gunnarsdóttir
Ensk þýðing / English translation: Anna Yates
Ljósmyndun listaverka / Photos of artworks: Sigurður Gunnarsson
Forvarsla / Conservation: Ólafur Ingi Jónsson
Upplestur / Reading: Silja Aðalsteinsdóttir, Sólveig Hauksdóttir, Terry Gunnell
Hljóðvinnsla / Sound editing: Sigurður Gunnarsson
Grafísk hönnun / Graphic Design: Arnar Freyr Guðmundsson
Álfakirkja, hönnun og smíði / Elf church, design and construction: Þorvaldur Böðvar Jónsson
Ráðgjöf við útfærslu á leikmynd / Advice on scenography: Ilmur Stefánsdóttir
Hönnun fræðsluefnis fyrir fjölskyldur / Designer of the family guide: Helga Gerður Magnúsdóttir
