Hrafnkell Sigurðsson

Trekking in Time: Hrafnkell Sigurðsson

In Untitled a series of photos from 2000 – 2001, Hrafnkell Sigurðsson has photographed hiking tents in Iceland, in a variation of winter landscapes and light. The tents differ in color and form; centered in the foreground they occupy most of the picture surface whilst the snow covered ground meets the sky, forming a horizon. It is enticingly beautiful and peaceful, but also jarring with the artificial objects introduced in seemingly unspoiled nature. These mass produced tents that can be taken for granted are essential and necessary objects to enable us to enjoy nature and its wilderness.

Untitled, 2000 by Hrafnkell Sigurðsson

Sigurðsson happily dons his hiking boots heading out into the Icelandic wilderness in order to discover and enjoy nature. It is often present in his art, in communication with the human imprint. Through the ages, the Icelandic landscape has captivated artists and Sigurðsson always makes references to art history. The series Untitled inevitably brings to mind traditional Icelandic landscape painting. Mountains are replaced by tents, painting by photography, thus changing the content while retaining the traditional painterly elements of form, light and composition.

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