Lighting up the winter with mesmerizing art installations

During the Winter Lights Festival 2024 in Reykjavík, two captivating light artworks illuminated the city's public spaces, chosen through a competition hosted by the City of Reykjavík and Veitur the previous December. The jury, consisting of urban designer Rebekka Guðmundsdóttir, Art in Light project manager Sesselja Jónasdóttir, and Reykjavík Art Museum head Markús Þór Andrésson, meticulously reviewed proposals to select the winning works.

Among the chosen pieces were "Glitstein" by visual artist Katerina Blahutova and sound artist Francesco Fabris. This light sculpture creatively captured the essence of winter and darkness, while also highlighting the interconnectedness between humanity and nature. Utilizing treated plastic to simulate man-made ice cubes, the artwork served as a poignant reminder of the fragility of glacial ice and human impact on the environment.

The second winning piece, "Hafnar.haus Hringekja," was a collaborative effort between digital visual artist Owen Hindley and sound artist Þorstein Eyfjörð. Their work showcased the vibrant creativity fostered at Hafnarhaus, an artist-run studio space. Positioned to offer an unusual perspective on the cityscape, the artwork drew attention to the diverse talents of the artists working within the Hafnarhaus community.

Each winning team was awarded a grant of one million ISK to bring their vision to life, covering execution costs and artist remuneration. The competition, chaired by project manager Guðmundur Birgir Halldórsson, aimed to encourage innovation and creativity that enriches Reykjavík's cultural landscape.