Programme of the week
Welcome to the National Gallery of Iceland!
Congratulations on your new annual pass! As a pass holder, you now enjoy unlimited access to our exhibitions and full event program.
To get you started, we’ve sent you the latest newsletter, ensuring you stay up to date with everything happening at the gallery.
We’d also like to remind you about the upcoming opening of That’s a Very Large Number – A Commerzbau this Friday. This captivating exhibition by Hildigunnur Birgisdóttir was Iceland’s contribution to the 2024 Venice Biennale and has now been specially adapted for the National Gallery of Iceland, perfectly complementing its unique setting by the Pond.
We look forward to welcoming you to the opening and seeing you at the gallery soon!
Hildigunnur Birgisdóttir, 6:1 (Green), 2024, Photography: Vigfús Birgisson, courtesy of the artist and i8 gallery
February, 21rd 5pm // The National Gallery by the Pond
Opening
The National Gallery of Iceland invites you to the opening of Hildigunnur Birgisdóttir’s exhibition That’s a Very Large Number — A Commerzbau, that was originally commissioned for the Icelandic Pavilion at the 60th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2024, on Friday, February 21st 2025 at 5 pm.
The site-specific installation of sculptural works has been reconceived for the National Gallery, responding to the architectural conditions of the museum, which overlooks Tjörnin (the Pond) and the City of Reykjavík.
Hildigunnur is known for her nuanced artistic practice, which looks critically at the worldwide systems of production and distribution and the strange lives of the products they create. Her work draws attention to the small, disposable objects that are often the mass-produced accessories of material culture: packing materials, price tags, signage, and systems of display. She casts these objects in new roles, changing their value and meaning entirely as they are experienced outside of their original function.
The Minister of Culture, Logi Einarsson, will open the exhibition.
Krummi Kids’ Club with Dodda Maggý’s installation DeCore at the House of Collections
February, 22nd, 2-4pm // The House of Collections
Krummi Kids’ Club
Fly, Fly, Butterfly
We warmly welcome you to Krummi Kids’ Club this Saturday, where artist Ragnheiður Gestsdóttir will lead a fun and creative workshop at Safnahúsið.
The workshop will be inspired by Dodda Maggý’s installation DeCore, as we create butterflies that will then "fly" home with us.
Through Krummi Kids’ Club, the National Gallery of Iceland aims to provide children and their families with meaningful and enjoyable experiences at the museum—free of charge for all.
Hildigunnur Birgisdóttir, 6:1 (green), 2024. Courtesy of the artist and i8 gallery
February, 23rd 2pm // The National Gallery by the Pond
Artist Talk
Hildigunnur Birgisdóttir & Ragnar Kjartansson
We warmly invite you to an artist talk at the National Gallery of Iceland this Sunday at 2:00 PM. Ragnar Kjartansson will be in conversation with Hildigunnur Birgisdóttir about her exhibition This Is a Very Large Number (Commerzbau), which was Iceland’s contribution to the 2024 Venice Biennale.
Hildigunnur is known for her keen attention to small details in her artistic practice, critically examining global production and distribution systems, as well as the peculiar lifecycle of consumer goods within these systems. Her work highlights small, disposable objects that are mass-produced byproducts of consumer culture—such as packaging, price tags, labels, and display units. By repurposing these items, she transforms their function and meaning, detaching them from their original context.
DJ Dóra Júlía spinning beats at the National Gallery by the Pond on Museum Night!
February, 24th 9am-12pm // The House of Collections
🎧 DJ Workshop – DJ Dóra Júlía
🔹 For ages 12–15
Join us for an exciting DJ workshop at the National Gallery of Iceland during the winter break! This hands-on session is perfect for young music enthusiasts eager to dive into the world of DJing. 🎚️
Participants will learn essential DJ skills, including:
🎵 Mixing and blending tracks
🎵 Understanding beats and tempo control
🎵 Building a dynamic DJ set
🎵 Creating the perfect vibe for different audiences
🎵 Hosting a party and reading the crowd
Adding a creative twist, we’ll also explore the museum’s artworks through the perspective of a DJ—letting the visuals inspire the sound!
📅 Date & Time: Monday, February 24, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
💰 Price: 7,500 ISK
📍 Location: Safnahúsið
Spaces are limited, so secure your spot by emailing:
📧 elisa.b.gudmundsdotti@listasafn.is
⚠️ Limited availability – registration required!
Kids explore and play at the exhibition Resistance at the House of Collections on Hverfisgata!
February 24–25, 2025 // The National Gallery by the Pond & The House of Collections on Herfisgata
Winter Break at the National Gallery of Iceland Museums
We warmly welcome families during the school winter break!
Both museums of The National Gallery of Iceland’s are open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. On February 24 and 25, admission is free for adults accompanying children on winter break.
At The House of Collections on Hverfisgata, visitors can explore Resistance – The Intersection of Science and Art, an interactive exhibition where play and creativity unfold on every floor. Another highlight is Stand Still Like a Stone, which brings Icelandic folktales to life through art.
At The National Gallery by the Pond, visitors can explore the museum’s anniversary exhibition, Looking Inward, Looking Outward: 140 years of the National Gallery of Iceland, alongside Intimacies of the Everyday, a photography showcase featuring over 60 works by renowned international artists, including Agnieszka Sosnowska, Joakim Eskildsen, Niall McDiarmid, Orri Jónsson, and Sally Mann. Additionally, Hildigunnur Birgisdóttir’s acclaimed installation, That’s a Very Large Number – A Commerzbau, will be on display from Saturday, February 22nd.
All are welcome!