#1 [May 2005]

EDITORIAL

Welcome to our first edition of LIST! In English the word could be understood as analogy to “index” or “register”, in German it means “trick” or “guile”. But LIST is as well the Icelandic word for “Art” and therefore the name of this monthly info magazine of the contemporary visual art scene of Iceland.

In the average there are more inhabitants participating in the Arts in Iceland than in any other European country. In regard to their geographical isolation Icelanders in general are very energetic, open minded and very mobile. “Like the young rock on which the Icelanders live, their thinking is similar: young, raw and insubstantial – unlike the solid marble of the Continent,” as the Artist Gabríela Friðriksdóttir stated. LIST – Icelandic Art News provides information about art related topics and introduces artists, projects and art institutions. One of the introduced artists is the already quoted Gabríela Friðriksdóttir. She will represent Iceland in this years’ Venice Biennial. In addition to that she is participating with 30 other artists in Reykjavík Arts Festival which opens the weekend of May 14th/15th. This edition of LIST will focus mainly on those two events.

LIST tends to give an insight into the wide spectrum of Icelandic art activity – in Iceland and abroad. It will report on exhibitions and will publish interviews. Besides that LIST introduces three Icelandic artists in each edition to an international audience.

LIST is published by CIA.IS – Center for Icelandic Art.