Culture Pick: Water And Blood

Water and Blood is a new video work by the Icelandic Love Corporation, and featured at the National Gallery of Iceland. They seek inspiration in the life and art of painter Ásgrímur Jónsson (1876-1958).

Ásgrímur was among the first Icelandic painters to make a professional living from his art. He painted mostly landscapes, particularly mountains, although some of his paintings depict Icelandic sagas and folk tales. His style is similar to French impressionists.

In preparation for this video work, the Icelandic Love Corporation brought in a psychic to make contact with Ásgrímur. They call this method of preparation “Medium-medium”. When the medium made contact with Ásgrímur, he probably said “Go away, I’m trying to rest.”

The National Gallery of Iceland is located at Fríkirkjuvegi 7 in Reykjavík.