The Art Of Death - The National Gallery of Iceland, Fríkirkjuveguyr 7, runs until May 15, Free

The National Gallery of Iceland, Fríkirkjuveguyr 7, runs until May 15, Free

Death. It is something we must all face someday, and yet we seldom want to think about. Magnús Pálsson’s exhibit, ‘Dialogues on Death’ is meant to encourage viewers to face mortality with an open mind. The idea for the exhibit came when the artist participated in a joint project also called ‘Dialogues on Death’ in 1999. An exhibition of the same name opened in 2003 at Hafnarhús, and is now part of the collection at the National Gallery of Iceland. Viewers will find pictures and furniture dealing with the theme of death under x-ray lighting and medical fixtures. Headphones play a loop of people describing their last weeks of life, as interpreted by actors. While the installation may not be the most uplifting experience, it forces viewers to contemplate the ultimate fate that awaits us all.