If you’ve been keeping one eye on world news this week, you’re probably ready for a break — and fair enough. Spoiler: the geopolitical situation isn’t about to calm down. But it’s Friday, and there’s plenty happening around town worth getting off the couch for.
Just yesterday, Kristín Helga Ríkhardsdóttir’s exhibition, The Smooth Operator, opened at the Reykjavík Art Museum. We were there for the opening and can say with some confidence — it’s worth going back for a proper look.
On Friday, January 16 at 17:00, a new show, Color Gear & Shape, opens at Herma, and Katrín Inga unveils her exhibition, Photon Sensations in Linear Empty Space = Vacuum, at SIND Gallery — also at 17:00.
Saturday, January 17 at 15:00, the Photography Museum hosts the opening of Kristján Maack’s exhibition, Sleeping Giants. Reykjavík’s Mayor, Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir, and the President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, are both expected to attend.
At the same time, Kristín Karólína Helgadóttir and Sigurður Guðmundsson open their exhibition, Blind Date, at Ásmundarsalur. Then at 19:00, BKPM premieres a brand-new music video and plays live at 12 Tónar, with DJ sets from 2 Part Horse Costume and B33R rounding out the night.
Later that evening, authors Fríða Ísberg and Brynja Hjálmsdóttir welcome acclaimed South Korean poet Kim Hyesoon for a poetry reading and discussion at Mengi, starting at 20:00. And to close things out, Andervel takes the stage at Kaffibarinn at 21:00.
On Sunday, January 18 at 14:00, don’t miss the opening of Bring Me Colours by Eygló Harðardóttir at the Sculpture Garden.
Craving more? Just scroll down. Have an event to share? Add it to the calendar at events.grapevine.is or visit the site to discover what’s already happening around town.
RVK Poetics: The Sea in Between
Friday, January 16 — 19:30 — Many — Free
The community-driven English-language reading series RVK Poetics opens its year with a strong lineup of Faroese and Icelandic poets: Sjón, Meg Esja Matich, Kim Simonsen, Vónbjørt Vang, Svava Þorsteinsdóttir, and Rachel Britton. Vónbjørt Vang recently won the Nordic Council Prize for Literature, becoming the first Faroese author to take the prize in 39 years — no small thing. Contributor Grayson Del Faro sat down with her ahead of the event; you can read that interview here. RVK Poetics is a relaxed, low-pressure evening — you’re there to listen, but if the mood strikes and you want to read something yourself, you’re more than welcome. Entry is free, and there will be refreshments.
Pop-Up: Remedy for Seasonal Depression
January 16-17 — 19:00-01:00 — Between — Free
The days are getting longer, technically, but January still has a grip on all of us. Contributor Grayson Del Faro recently wrote two retellings of Icelandic folktales about surviving winter — proof that hard times have always been hard. If you’re after something a little more hands-on as a remedy, the pop-up at Á milli this weekend might do the trick. Details are thin on the ground, but when you’re desperate, you’ll try just about anything.
Baby Rave at Gerðarsafn Art Museum
Saturday, January 17 — 13:00-14:00 — Gerðarsafn Art Museum — Free
DJ Ívar Pétur of FM Belfast has been taking Baby Raves around Iceland for a while now, and the concept is exactly what it sounds like — a rave for babies, or as the organisers put it, “a family event for children of all ages to dance and move freely.” Getting kids into musical diversity young seems like a fine idea to us. All ages are welcome, though little ones need an adult with them. Whether fully grown kids can turn up unaccompanied remains, as far as we can tell, an open question.
MOMOxYuyu Pop Up: Hand-Whisked Matcha & Desserts
Sunday, January 18 — 14:30-17:30 — Ramen Momo, Bankastræti 8 — 3,190 ISK for two matcha drinks and two desserts
Matcha culture is finally finding its feet in Reykjavík. Last summer, one of our writers spent weeks tracking down the best matcha in the city — you can read that guide here. This Sunday, Yuyu, a brand focused on bringing Japanese teas to Iceland, is popping up at Ramen Momo. Expect cold and hot matcha, matcha lattes, Hojicha tiramisu, miso chocolate cookies, and white chocolate & lemon cookies. Vegan options will be available too. We have a feeling this one’s going to sell itself.
