The Reykjavík Arts Festival offers an ethereal experience, combining the evocative scents of nature with the works of Icelandic artists like Björk and Sigur Rós. Fischersund's special scent, a mix of 'fresh-cut grass' and 'blackcurrants', permeates the city, enhancing the festival's otherworldly atmosphere.
At the National Gallery of Iceland, Björk’s exhibitions transform rooms into immersive soundscapes with projections and speakers creating a multi-sensory experience. Meanwhile, Karin Sander’s conceptual art at the Reykjavík Art Museum includes 3D-printed portraits and an interactive wall-work that catalogues adjectives from her Wikipedia page.
The festival also presents Open Group's ‘Ode to Joy’, a poignant reflection on war through close-up video portraits of Ukrainians mimicking sounds of conflict, while the National Museum of Iceland showcases Sólon Íslandus' eccentric 19th-century travel pass.
These diverse works from established and emerging artists make Reykjavík’s festival not just a celebration but a profound exploration of identity, history, and human experience through art and scent.
