Snorri Ásmundsson is perhaps Iceland’s most notorious artist. He gained notoriety when he announced twice that he was running for president against Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson. He has also been very politically vocal against establishments like the church and politics. Here is what molded the artist that claims to be the best in the history of humankind.
My father had a replica of Guernica by Picasso that hung on our living room wall. I could watch it forever and it was almost like the image buried itself into my consciousness. When I was a teenager there was an exhibition in my elementary school where the same picture, in full size, was among other replicas of Picasso’s paintings. And I was literally thunderstruck. At that moment I knew that I would become the greatest artist in the history of humankind.
The Godfather (1972) – Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone
The film ‘The Godfather’ had a great influence on me and my brothers. We always made the same Christmas card of us posing as gangsters from the film. We thought it was stylish and cool, especially Marlon Brando, who is one of my favorite actors of all time. The wedding scene is probably the most notable scenes I have ever seen on film. To make an offer that is impossible to refuse! I actually use this negotiation tactic all the time, and it works!
I have to name Andy Warhol as another influence; I have sometimes been referred to as the Icelandic Andy Warhol. I always loved Warhol’s portraits and I loved the extreme image of Warhol. But I didn’t really realise until after I read the book, “The Philosophy of Andy Warhol,” that we are closely connected in a spiritual way, and I think he is my twin soul.
I was truly relieved when I discovered Federico Fellini’s movies. I love those movies—I think I have watched ‘Amarcord’ about 20 times. His influence on the world of film will never been appreciated enough.
When I saw Jack Nicholson in ‘Easy Rider’ I quickly found out that this man was my favourite actor. After I saw ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,’, in which Jack was brilliant and for which he won an Oscar, I realised that this man was the best actor of all time. No one is better than him, except myself, of course, because I have discovered that I am also the best actor in the history of humankind.
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!
