Svarthvitt or black and white – Akureyri Art Museum – Akureyri Art Museum Photography
Is this a primary role of photography – to capture the everyday, the ready-mades, that we simply walk by and ignore but which are essential to our lives, the quality of life?
Christopher Taylor at Akureyri Art Museum Photography:
Is this art? Recording the existential components of our routines, elevating them to perhaps a true perspective?
Snaps versus capturing the essence of character, of the everyday.
These thoughts occurred to me in a quiet moment visiting the art museum in Akureyri Iceland, whilst on a trip visiting the island and neighbouring Norway.
These two countries have produced some fantastic art works most of which have been developed independently of the mainstream of art development, influence and avant-garde found in mainland Europe or indeed the USA.
That is what is so fascinating with visiting galleries in these countries – the independence and original thoughts and approaches.
Look on a further page for some examples of late 19th Century, early 20th Century art and have a thought for what was happening in Europe: Cezanne, Picasso, the Post Impressionists etc. In Iceland and Norway, we see an intense patriotism, early recognition and identification with nation-hood (although Iceland only declared its real independence from Denmark in 1944 whilst Denmark was still occupied by the Nazis. The opportunity was grasped and succeeded).
I’ve never really bothered with looking at galleries of photographs as to me many are simply clever snaps whilst a few I’d consider ‘art’. So a passing interest. We’re looking often at technical skill rather than talent and interpretation and inspiration.
Spessi: at Akureyri Art Museum Photography
This gallery made me think again. Akureyri Art Museum Photography
And then of course exhibitions such as this always raise the question – ‘what is art?’