During Winter Break, there will be two creative sound workshops at Hafnarborg, for children between the ages of 7 to 11 years, under the guidance of artist and musician Curver Thoroddsen. The workshops are connected to Phonemes – Exhibiting Music, currently on exhibit at Hafnarborg, where music is seen in a different light, as to how it overlaps with visual art. Creativity and playfulness is at the forefront and there are multiple ways for guests to participate in the works, making music in many forms, such as through video games, with instruments or with things which are not normally considered instruments.

The sound workshops will take place from 1–4 p.m. on Thursday the 21st and Friday the 22nd of February. Maximum 15 participants at each workshop. Sign-up at hafnarborg@hafnarfjordur.is. The museum‘s exhibitions will also be open both days from 12–5 p.m. and entry is free.

The Art Council of Hafnarborg has chosen All at Once as the fall exhibition of 2019, with curators Andrea Arnarsdóttir and Starkaður Sigurðarson. The idea behind the exhibition is to explore the way artists tackle the freedom present in contemporary visual arts. How it is possible to extract meaning from art, which may be anything – painting, toy, paper mache, movement, idea, opera, plaster. On exhibit, will be works of different media, from oil painting to performances, in an effort to unite the scattered notions found in art today.

The aim of the exhibition is not to make a cross section or overview of what contemporary art is, but rather to explore the way the artists, confronted with this freedom, give it meaning. How art can take any shape, while still speaking the same language. How an oil painting on a wall at home is the same type of art, a part of the same art history, as mushrooms which grow in a white, bright exhibition space. How art – and art history – is a compressed entity, where things exist all at once.

Andrea Arnarsdóttir took applied studies in culture and communication at the University of Iceland, graduating with an MA degree in 2018. Her graduation project, the exhibition Superabundance at the University, drew quite a bit of attention. After graduation, Andrea went on an internship at the Artipelag, art museum in Stockholm. There she gained an insight into the museum world and the curatorial work, as well as working closely with the museum‘s curator of pedagogy.

Starkaður Sigurðarson has a background both in visual arts and writing, but after graduating from the Iceland University of the Arts, he went on to complete an MFA degree in creative writing at Goddard College in spring of 2018. He has exhibited in many places around Iceland, most recently participating in the exhibition Pressure of the Deep at The Living Art Museum in 2018, in addition to writing for Víðsjá, at the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, penning text for artists and museums, and editing the visual arts publication Stara.

Each year, Hafnarborg calls for proposals for the museum’s fall exhibition, with the objective of motivating new people and selecting a curator or curators, who present an interesting idea. In this way, the museum aims to provide an opportunity for emerging curators, who are looking to gain more experience. The task of reviewing the proposals and choosing the winner is in the hands of the Museum Director and the Art Council of Hafnarborg.

With the fall exhibition series, Hafnarborg wishes to open a channel for new ideas, in line with the museum’s mission, to strengthen and support various programmes of art and culture, through different perspectives. The exhibitions and related events have become an important part of the programme at Hafnarborg, being a catalyst for further development and discussion about art and ideas.

The participating artists will be announced at a later date.

As in years past, Hafnarborg will be open through the evening on Museum Night, February 8th at 5–11 p.m. A wide variety of entertainment will be provided for guests, both young and old, with a focus on music in its many forms, traditional and untraditional, such as video games and apps or other unlikely things. Watch, listen, sing, dance or make music on the spot. The programme of this years‘ Museum Night is as follows:

Phonemes – Exhibiting Music
17:00–23:00
The exhibition celebrates the fifth anniversary of the concert series of the same name, which is dedicated to contemporary music. Here, music takes over, spreading through the museum space, in many different forms. The ideology of music is extended beyond the world of sounds, where the visual aspects plays a vital role in the experience. Music becomes as much a sound as an object, the flow of time is replaced by the flow of space, sound replaced by objects, the performer replaced by the listener.

Upheaval
17:00–23:00
On exhibition are new works by artist Marta María Jónsdóttir. The works are abstract, crossing the boundaries between drawing and painting. The imagery is poetic and open, portraying a world which either appears to be coming into existence or ceasing to exist. The brush strokes and flow of colour form the foundation of the painting and the raw unpainted canvas becomes a part of the imagery, like a pause in a piece of music or a space in text. The works deal with painting itself, its origin and meaning.

Scavenger Hunt Through Hafnarborg
17:00–23:00
Guests can participate in a special Museum Night Scavenger Hunt through Hafnarborg, for the chance of reward. Following Museum Night, a winner will be drawn from those who participated in the hunt. Look high and low through the house and the galleries and experience the exhibitions in a different way – you never know what you will find at Hafnarborg!

Piano Recital at Hafnarborg with Tónlistarskóli Hafnarfjarðar
17:30–18:00
Tónlistarskóli Hafnarfjarðar will be all over town this Museum Night. The first event of the Night in Hafnarborg will be the school‘s piano recital in the museum‘s main gallery. There, the notes of the traditional piano will be heard among the other works of the exhibition Phonemes, offering a different – often unconventional – view of music. 

Mussila – Music Workshop for Children and Parents
18:00–19:15
This Museum Night, there will be two music workshops for children and their parents, exploring the possibilities of the Icelandic music app Mussila. The app is an adventure-based music game, for children between the ages of 6 to 11, where they learn the basics of music through the act of listening and playing, as they engage with music in a creative way – arranging it as they want, making their own melodies and more. Like that, the game develops children‘s skills in music in an entertaining and novel manner, combining challenges and enthusiasm with creativity and playfulness.

Live Walkthrough of Phonemes – Exhibiting Music
19:00–21:00
At the exhibition, guests have the opportunity to participate in many of the works, having an effect on the music or producing it by their own participation. Video games and a music corner form a part of the experience, as well as other interactive works, giving creativity and playfulness have free reign. The museum staff will be on hand to guide guests through the possibilities of how to participate in the works.

Mussila – Music Workshop for Children and Parents
20:00–21:15
This Museum Night, there will be two music workshops for children and their parents, exploring the possibilities of the Icelandic music app Mussila. The app is an adventure-based music game, for children between the ages of 6 to 11, where they learn the basics of music through the act of listening and playing, as they engage with music in a creative way – arranging it as they want, making their own melodies and more. Like that, the game develops children‘s skills in music in an entertaining and novel manner, combining challenges and enthusiasm with creativity and playfulness.

Silent Disco in an Art Museum
21:00–22:30
At Marta María Jónsdóttir‘s exhibition, Upheaval, guests will get an opportunity to see the artworks – or art – in a new light, as the exhibition room transforms into a dancefloor on Museum Night. In the middle of the works, guests will get to view the exhibition and the museum space in a different way than they may be used to, filling the gap with their own movements, as they pass from piece to piece on unusual terms. In this way, the silent disco not only becomes a unique way to experience music, where listeners dance to music that can be heard through wireless headphones, but a unique way to experience visual art as well.

Guðrún Árný Performs at Krydd
21:00–00:00
Singer Guðrún Árný is well known to the guests of Krydd Restaurant, where she performs regularly on Fridays, singing and playing the piano, as well as leading a sing-along through the evening. Krydd offers a dinner menu, with a wide selection of food and drink, where everyone will find something to their taste. To book a table, please contact the restaurant at (354) 558 2222.

Hafnarborg proudly presents the programme of the upcoming Midday Concerts at Hafnarborg, until spring 2019, but the concerts have now been a part of the regular programme of Hafnarborg for the past fifteen years. The first concert of the year is set to take place on February 12th at 12 p.m. To kick things off, tenor Elmar Gilbertsson will perform, accompanied by Antonía Hevesi, the artistic director of the concert series, on piano.

The programme of the Midday Concerts, until spring, is as follows:

February 12th – Elmar Gilbertsson, tenor
March 5th – Bergþór Pálsson, baritone
April 2nd – Sigrún Pálmadóttir, soprano
May 7th – Rósalind Gísladóttir, mezzo-soprano

The Midday Concerts normally take place on the first Tuesday of each month during the wintertime. The concerts start promptly at noon and last for approximately half an hour. The doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the concerts are open to all, as long as there are seats available. Entry is free.

Please note that this programme is subject to change.

Hafnarborg will be closed for renovation and installation of new exhibitions from Monday January 7th until Saturday January 26th.

Krydd Restaurant is of course open as usual, being located on the ground floor of Hafnarborg, where everyone can be sure to find something to their taste.

During this period, it is also possible to rent the space Apótekið on the ground floor of Hafnarborg, for meetings, lectures or receptions.

The next exhibitions, Phonemes – Exhibiting Music, curated by composer Þráinn Hjálmarsson, and Upheaval, featuring works by artist Marta María Jónsdóttir, will open in Hafnarborg on Saturday January 26th.

Next weekend is the last chance to see the exhibitions SNIP SNAP SNUBBUR, featuring new works by artist Guðmundur Thoroddsen, and Towards Nature, featuring works by artist Eiríkur Smith from the Hafnarborg Collection, as they are set to end on Sunday January 6th.

Hafnarborg is open from 12–5 p.m. during the weekend and there is free entry to the exhibitions, as usual. Don‘t let these exhibitions pass you by.

Hafnarborg is open as usual, until Christmas, everyday except Tuesdays, 12–5 p.m. The opening hours during the holidays are as follows:

December 23rd, Thorlac‘s Mass – open 12–5 p.m.

December 24th, Christmas Eve – closed

December 25th, Christmas Day – closed

December 26th, Second Day of Christmas – closed

December 27th–30th – open 12–5 p.m.

December 31st, New Year‘s Eve – closed

January 1st, New Year‘s Day – closed

Regular opening hours will resume from January 2nd. The current exhibitions are set to end on Sunday January 6th. There is free entry to the museum.

This year‘s Globe of Goodwill, Terrella, by artist Elín Hansdóttir is now available in the museum shop of Hafnarborg, until December 19th 2018. The Globe of Goodwill is a blown glass sphere, with a ribbon in red, the colour of Christmas and affection. No two Globes are exactly the same, but each of them beautiful in its own way – just like every child of the world.

This is the artist‘s description of this year‘s design:

Within the glass sphere, there is another small sphere that attracts the material and creates an ensemble that lasts only for a moment. As soon as an external force moves the small sphere, the composition on the surface changes. The beauty comes from the various forms, the complexity that attraction provides and the influence we can have on our environment, because goodwill can, with its power, unite and transform all that comes in close contact with its magnetic power.

The Globe of Goodwill is a beautiful work of art and a delightful collector‘s piece, but what makes it truly valuable is its content – love and friendship. The aim of The Globe is to enrich the lives of children and other young people with disabilities, but all proceeds go to the summer and winter camp Reykjadalur, a place of joy, positivity and adventure. The name of The Globe is therefore symbolic of what it represents.

Also available at the museum shop is the thirteenth mobile in the Yuletide Lads series, Sheep-Cote Clod, presented by the Benefit Society for Children with Disabilities (SLF), like the Globe of Goodwill. The series is a union of Icelandic culture, design and literary skills for an important cause. Dögg Guðmundsdóttir and Dagur Hjartarson have joined forces this year to bring us their interpretation of Sheep-Cote Clod. Dögg worked the steel and Dagur created the words. All proceeds go to the SLF Therapy Centre, which provides a wide range of physiotherapy and occupational therapy for Children in Iceland.

Saturday July 7th–Sunday July 15th, Hafnarborg plays host to the second edition of the Hafnarborg Songfest. The Songfest’s aim is to celebrate vocal music and increase knowledge of the voice through concerts and courses. This year, in celebration of the Centenary of Iceland’s Independence and Sovereignty, special focus will be on Icelandic music. All song enthusiasts should find something to their taste at the Hafnarborg Songfest, both as listeners and participants.

The Songfest’s program will feature concerts and performances by Symphonia Angelica, Cantoque, Gadus Mordhua, Olga Vocal Ensemble, Funi, Guðrún Jóhanna Ólafsdóttir, Þóra Einarsdóttir, Kristinn Sigmundsson, Sigríður Ósk Kristjánsdóttir, Francisco Javier Jáuregui and Ástríður Alda Sigurðardóttir.

Artistic Director of the Hafnarborg Songfest is Guðrún Jóhanna Ólafsdóttir.

Music Course for Children

Hafnarborg Songfest offers a week-long music course for children aged 6–12, guided by experienced and enthusiastic teachers. The course will be offered in Icelandic. The participants will perform with the Festival’s professional musicians at the Family Concert on Saturday July 14th at 5 p.m. The Music Course is for all children who enjoy music, both those who are already studying an instrument or singing and those who have no former training. The children will play musical games, improvise, sing and play and rehearse their act in the Saturday Family Concert. The purpose of the course is for the children to enjoy music as creative active musicians.

The course will be offered for two age groups: 6–9 and 10–12 years old.

Schedule

Monday July 9th–Friday July 13th and Family Concert Saturday July 14th at 5 p.m. (warm-up starts at 4 p.m.)

6–9 years old: 9 a.m–12 p.m.

10–12 years old: 1 p.m.–4 p.m.

Course fee (5 days and one concert): 17.000 ISK. The fee includes two tickets for the Saturday Family Concert.

Please note that there is a limited number of participants.

Singing Course for Non-Professionals

Hafnarborg Songfest offers a singing course for non-professionals, taught by mezzo-soprano Guðrún Ólafsdóttir. The course is ideal for those who love to sing and would like to obtain more control of their voice. The two-day course will cover such themes as posture, breathing, support, modified vowels, singing better in tune, softer and stronger. The goal of the course is for the students to be able to sing with more freedom than before. It is not necessary to know how to read music or to have studied at a music school. The minimum age is 15 years but there is no maximum age.

Schedule

Saturday July 7th at 3 p.m.–5 p.m.

Sunday July 8th at 3 p.m.–5 p.m.

Course fee (4 hours): is 12.000 ISK. It includes one ticket for one of the Festival’s concerts.

Please note that there is a limited number of participants.

For more information about the Hafnarborg Songfest, courses and concerts, please visit www.songhatid.com.

This summer, Hafnarborg will offer workshops for children, 6–12 years old. The groups will go on field trips in Hafnarfjörður and basic techniques of art will be introduced through discovery of the environment, by viewing the museum’s exhibitions and through creative work and play. The children will work on creative projects in different media – drawing, painting and more – with the purpose of training visual focus and stimulate creative thought and personal expression. The instructor is Vigdís Hlíf Sigurðardóttir, graphic designer and visual arts teacher.

Three 5-day workshops are available for ages 6–9 and 10–12. Each workshop covers a different theme, so it is possible to attend more than one workshop.

The following workshops are available:

June 11th–15th
6–9 years old: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
10–12 years old: 1–4 p.m.

June 18th–22nd
6–9 years old: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
10–12 years old: 1–4 p.m.

June 25th–29th
6–9 years old: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
10–12 years old: 1–4 p.m.

The price of each workshop is 12.500 ISK.

• Sibling discount: full price for the first child, but 50% discount for each additional sibling.
• Please inform us of any special needs or requirements.

Please note that there is limited availability for each workshop.

Registration is through íbúagátt Hafnarfjarðarbæjar. For further information, please call 585 5790 or send an email to hafnarborg@hafnarfjordur.is.