Tag Archives: Art

Jun11

The National Gallery of Iceland

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Monday, 20-May-2024


I may have mentioned, but I adore museums. Art museums in particular – I have a long history with museums, and to date my absolute favorite is almost definitely the Museum of Fine Art in Boston.

In Nuuk, I made a point to visit the art museum and ended up making a friend and meeting a whole group thanks to it!

In Reykjavik, I made a point to do the same. Unfortunately, though, the days that I was in Reykjavik were Pentecost Sunday and Whit Monday… two days that most businesses and museums are closed, apparently. Thankfully, though, the Reykjavik modern art museum was still open! I grabbed my bag, put on my walking shoes, and headed out for beautiful art and adventure!

I… didn’t quite find either, frankly.

I’m a bit of an art snob, I freely admit it. I like what I like, and I’m not a fan of what I don’t like. Maybe it’s from growing up visiting the MFA… maybe it’s having quite a few artists in the family… maybe it’s that I have a tendency to date artists, and love learning about their passions… Whatever reason, I am going to freely admit that I wasn’t a fan of the galleries in Iceland’s National Gallery. Or at least the galleries that were open on Whit Monday.

There were three – one of simple geometric patterns, one contrasting developmentally-challenged artists against more traditional artists, and one showing a mix of watercolors and magnets. I came close to liking the magnetic pieces, since magnets are cool, but… still. Personally, I felt that they were all in the vein of “this is art because I am famous and say that it’s art”; which is more a commentary of the artist themselves…

That being said, I still took pictures. So… Peruse, and perhaps your tastes, dear reader, vary enough from mine that you’ll enjoy the views? That’s the best part of art – it’s subjective!


Jun4

The nature trail at Grettislaug

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The nature trail at Grettislaug

Thursday, 16-May-2024


Wednesday evening, I had planned on camping out at Miðjanes campground… but then I noticed that a nearby campground happened to have hot springs and a nature trail. Advantages of a chill roadtrip – I can change plans on the fly!

I pulled up, set up camp, and… wasn’t able to use the hot springs, because they were actually a public pool. Which shouldn’t have been an issue, but… Okay. Awkward thing to admit. I didn’t have a bathing suit. I know, I know, how could I have forgotten to pack it… but you know what? I was planning on either huge spa resorts where I could buy a swimsuit, or small back country hot springs were I could just wear my boxers. I hadn’t been to a big resort to buy a pair yet, and Grettislaug was connected to a school, so I wasn’t going to rock the boxers.

Instead, I had a relaxing evening, and then explored the nearby nature trails on Thursday morning.



They were super cool!

I’d made a good choice, no doubt – The trails around Grettislaug weren’t too extensive, but they wound around a few natural hot springs that were especially picturesque, and came back to camp again via a bird-blind that afforded some excellent views and birdwatching opportunities.

It was relaxed, enjoyable, and… you know what? A continuation of this roadtrip being exactly the chill experience that I had been looking for.

And seriously. Look at that photo I got of the pallet by the water. Just… Sometimes, my artistic-ness… it scares me. Just so beautiful!

May22

The Art Museum in Nuuk

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Friday, 03-May-2024


I can’t remember the first time I went to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston – Sort of like my stuffed bunny, Bunnder, I’m pretty sure that the MFA has been a part of my life for as long as I’ve been alive.

No surprise, then, that one of the first places I visit in a new city is the art museum!

Nuuk’s art museum is small – it’s actually less of a national museum, and more akin to a private gallery that’s expanding outward to the national scale? At least from what I could tell – there were a few signs discussing that specific fact, and that seems the best summary to my recollection. Which is interesting, since I also have a tentative memory that the MFA started in the same way – as a private gallery, that accumulated extra pieces and national renown over time, building into the juggernaut that it is today.

Nuuk’s art museum was absolutely lovely, regardless of the context and history. It had an excellent mix of Greenlandic and mainland European artists, with the very interesting curation that non-Greenlandic art was signified by a larger golden frame… making it quite easy to differentiate the two types of artists.

Adding to the fun of this specific day and this specific museum… I was the only visitor in the building. Normally that would make for a quietly reflective, yet solitary, atmosphere… but in this case, it meant that I got what amounted to a private tour by the docent on staff! She explained a lot of details, walked with me through some of the exhibits, and gave a wonderful amount of backstory to quite a few of the pieces… even helping me pick out cards and books for people back home, and keeping the Museum open a bit late to do so!


As with the National Museum, I’ll let up on the words here, and let my camera tell the rest of the story. Enjoy!