Birgir Andrésson, Unnar Örn Auðarson, Karlotta Blöndal, Margrét H. Blöndal, Knut Eckstein, Hreinn Friðfinnsson, Kristján Gudmundsson, Sigurdur Gudmundsson, Jóna Hlíf Halldórsdóttir, Hlynur Hallsson, Roni Horn, Gudny Rósa Ingimarsdóttir, Haraldur Jónsson, Jón Laxdal, Libia Castro & Ólafur Ólafsson, Dieter Roth, Karin Sander, Lawrence Weiner

„(Lat. textum: tissue, assemblage) describes a definite, cohesive expression in written language by extension also the non-written, but possibly writable language information.”

Iceland is a nation of literature. Its reputation as a nation of literature has been internationally established ever since Reykjavik has being named „City of Literature“ from the UNESCO this summer. Based on the heritage of medieval literature consisting of the Sagas, the Edda or the Icelander Book this tradition reaches on into present days. The most published books per citizen prove the importance of the written word for Iceland and it´s culture. This peaks in Iceland being the guest of honor at this years Frankfurt Book Fair. The preservation, prevalence and impartation of literature became the great passion of the Icelanders. The logical chain leads to texts and references to literature being used in the works of icelandic artists. But also we discover these references in works of artists who are united by their affinity for icelandic culture.

The show TEXT curated by Hlynur Hallsson holds 19 icelandic and international artists who seek involvement with texts in their works. „Text“ as vehicle gets displayed in various ways. Sometimes with astonishing honesty, sometimes naive and playful, sometimes in a poetic way, sometimes from a documentary point of view, sometimes even concealed or right in your face. For instance the references to literature to be found in the work by Roni Horn and Kristján Guðmundsson are directly tied to the theme but there are also works in the show which have a more conceptual to concrete orientation. What unites the works of the show is the utilization of texts as golden thread.