From December 2010 to January 2011, the international artistic event “Fresh Winds” under the artistic direction of Mireya Samper will take place in Gardur, southwest Iceland, for the first time. The theme of the festival is the aurora borealis.
Northern lights in Iceland. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
The landscape surrounding the fishing village of Gardur, made of lava fields and pastures, is open to winds from the Atlantic ocean, from the north, south, and west. This is the ideal place to watch the northern lights during the long winter months, as stated on the festival’s website.
“Fresh Winds” in Gardur is described as a unique event in the country; dozens of artists from various disciplines and nationalities are invited to the Gardur residence to be directly inspired by nature, the region and its people and leave their marks under the shaped creations.
During the eight weeks of residence, the artists will share their knowledge and their artistic expertise, in all kinds of media and in their own way.
The period will be filled with events such as presentations of the artists and their work, concerts, film screenings, performances and panel discussions, all of which will be open to the public.
The aim of the festival is to create an environment of art as a new expression and create new bonds of friendship between the Icelandic and foreign artists.
The festivities will begin on January 6, 2011, on the official last day of Christmas.
The project is supported by the host municipality Gardur, the Icelandic Ministry of Education and Culture, among others. Dorrit Moussaieff, the president’s wife, serves as its patron.
Click here for further information about the event and participating artists.
