As one of Iceland’s leading artists, Hreinn Friðfinnsson is celebrated for his inspirational and poetic use of everyday objects. His vocabulary, underscored by a delicate sense of humour, playfully implements storytelling and perceptual ploys. Friðfinnsson’s work could be characterised as conceptual, it investigates our understanding of time and the world around us. He is truly a natural storyteller; hence most of his works often ask for a narrative, or the fabrication of a story, even if there isn’t one. As explained by the artist himself: “Notions of time are always compelling. I read what comes my way about physics and mathematics, but I read as one who is uninitiated. The feeling and the interest in the essence of time is serious, but my dealing with time is not knowledge-based; it is more exploratory and feeling-based”.
With subtle gestures, Friðfinnsson uses the exhibition space as a stage upon which to transform time, space, objects, the rational, and the irrational into captivating yet humble miracles.
To Catch a Fish with a Song: 1964–Today is organized in partnership with Centre d’Art Contemporain Genève (24 May – 25 August 19). Presenting around fifty works, the exhibition at KW celebrates Friðfinnsson’s extraordinary practice with a comprehensive retrospective spanning over half a century of work. It is the first institutional solo exhibition in Germany of Icelandic artist Hreinn Friðfinnsson. A catalogue raisonné accompanies the exhibition.
Curators: Krist Gruijthuijsen, Andrea Bellini
Assistant Curator: Cathrin Mayer
