by Justin Fantl 01.24.2012
This above image is from a small town on the North side of Iceland called Skagastrond. One road goes in and one road goes out and it is surrounded by the ocean and mountains. It is one of those towns that has a magical feel. There is an old fortune teller, a horse in the surrounding hills that can change color and the occasional polar bear swims up on shore (I kid you not!). Tucked away in an old fish factory you will also come across a group of artists from all over the world. There is a residency in this small town that provides the opportunity for artists to immerse themselves in their work for a time. I think the residency in general is an important notion for any artist. At times we can get stuck in one mode of creating and it is important to get outside of that. Sometimes a change in physical location and culture provides impetus for untapped inspiration and creativity. Working in a small remote town in one of the most beautiful and raw places you can imagine has a huge appeal. My good friends Jacob and Andrea Kasper are now involved in running the program and I spoke with Andrea a bit about what NES is and the impact it has on the community and individual. I also included a set of images from Iceland while I was there. I never quite found what I was looking for . . . I plan on applying to the residency to find out. . .
What is NES?
Nes is an artists’ residency based in a small rural village in the northwest of Iceland. Nestled within this intimate community, Nes offers shared apartments and a large studio on the ocean for artists working in various media.
Nes is an artists’ residency based in a small rural village in the northwest of Iceland. Nestled within this intimate community, Nes offers shared apartments and a large studio on the ocean for artists working in various media.
Who comes to NES?
Most of the artists who come to Nes have come from abroad, from as far away as Australia, Hong Kong and Korea and as close as Finland. Others have come from England, Germany, France, Spain, Israel, Canada, USA and on and on. At Nes is an exciting mix of artists from around the globe working in media that range from dance, sound design, lighting design, paint, sculpture, performance art, drawing and emmersive environments. There is a current effort at Nes to bring more Icelandic artists to the residency in order to foster an exchange with international artists.
Most of the artists who come to Nes have come from abroad, from as far away as Australia, Hong Kong and Korea and as close as Finland. Others have come from England, Germany, France, Spain, Israel, Canada, USA and on and on. At Nes is an exciting mix of artists from around the globe working in media that range from dance, sound design, lighting design, paint, sculpture, performance art, drawing and emmersive environments. There is a current effort at Nes to bring more Icelandic artists to the residency in order to foster an exchange with international artists.
How do the artists interact with the community?
Artists interact in varying ways with the community. Every month Nes has an open house and a pot luck to which the community is invited. Often the art teacher in town will bring her classes for a tour or the studios and for private artists’ talk in which the artists has a chance to interact more intimately with the school children. Some artists will include members of the community in creating work, performance, workshops or through interviews. Some artists have worked with the children’s choir, while others have learned the art of net making from the local net shop.
Artists interact in varying ways with the community. Every month Nes has an open house and a pot luck to which the community is invited. Often the art teacher in town will bring her classes for a tour or the studios and for private artists’ talk in which the artists has a chance to interact more intimately with the school children. Some artists will include members of the community in creating work, performance, workshops or through interviews. Some artists have worked with the children’s choir, while others have learned the art of net making from the local net shop.
How does the community interact with the artists?
As in any community there are people who are enthusiastic about learning from and teaching the artists about life in Iceland. In Skagastrond you will find many people who are ready and willing to help in all sorts of creative ways; those artists who have taken the time to meet and work with the community have found it to be incredibly rewarding.
As in any community there are people who are enthusiastic about learning from and teaching the artists about life in Iceland. In Skagastrond you will find many people who are ready and willing to help in all sorts of creative ways; those artists who have taken the time to meet and work with the community have found it to be incredibly rewarding.
Why is the residency important?
The residency is important for the community by giving an opportunity for a small rural village to have interaction with artists and be exposed to the wide array of art being created and thought about today. The school children come and go in the studios, often building personal relationships with a wonderfully international group of people and through them have a chance to witness the many possibilities available to them in the world. Additionally, it is important to help build and maintain a cultural and artistic presence in rural areas, not only for the communities themselves but also for artists from away to come and learn and witness another was of life. For the artists, Nes provides a unique glimpse into rural Iceland, with all its spectacular nature and wild weather. Nes is a secluded get away, which can both provide quiet and privacy as well collaborations with other artists and the community.
The residency is important for the community by giving an opportunity for a small rural village to have interaction with artists and be exposed to the wide array of art being created and thought about today. The school children come and go in the studios, often building personal relationships with a wonderfully international group of people and through them have a chance to witness the many possibilities available to them in the world. Additionally, it is important to help build and maintain a cultural and artistic presence in rural areas, not only for the communities themselves but also for artists from away to come and learn and witness another was of life. For the artists, Nes provides a unique glimpse into rural Iceland, with all its spectacular nature and wild weather. Nes is a secluded get away, which can both provide quiet and privacy as well collaborations with other artists and the community.
