I Just Hope That Mocking Me Won’t Get You In Trouble - Progressive member of Alþingi threatens artist Snorri Ásmundsson

Progressive member of Alþingi threatens artist Snorri Ásmundsson

On Thursday, Þórunn Egilsdóttir, a member of Alþingi on behalf of the Progressive party, was caught on video, issuing a verbal warning to artist Snorri Ásmundsson, at the opening of the latter’s exhibition, titled “The Progressive Party Member”. The artist says that he recognizes a threat when it is directed to him, even if vaguely disguised. The MP denies the allegation.

Interviewed by Vísir earlier this week, about the work and his interest in the party, Snorri explained that “some Satanic energy surrounds the Progressive party. It’s not really a charitable energy, but rather something corrupt to the bone, like a disease.”

The exhibition takes place in a window by Reykjavík’s main shopping street, Laugavegur. It consists of one installation, a mannequin wearing a traditional lopapeysa, pants down on his kneels, looking away from the window and the audience, accompanied by audio-recordings of speeches by the Progressive party’s members of Alþingi.

Þórunn Egilsdóttir stopped by to comment on Snorri’s work and the interview. According to Snorri, she introduced herself as a member of the party. Séð og heyrt caught the incident on video.

The sound quality of the recording is less than ideal, but nonetheless it catches the Alþingi member saying, loosely translated: “I hope you do well, regardless, and hope that this doesn’t come back to haunt you.” The rest of the exchange is hard to decipher except by the facial expressions employed.

Interviewed by Vísir, Þórunn denies having made any threats. “I merely wished him success in his field. My opinion is that he weant too far in what he said.”

Snorri replies: “Yes, it was a threat. I’m no fool, I realize when people are making threats, even if they play with their words. These people use encroachment and bullyism.”