A Taste of Norse Mythology through Contemporary Artists’ Eyes at Nordic Museum

The Nordic Heritage Museum presents Odin’s Eye, October 10 – November 9, 2014 

The Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle, Washington is proud to participate in Seattle’s Taste of Iceland with the upcoming exhibition Odin’s Eye. Odin’s Eye features work inspired by Norse mythology from eight Icelandic and American artists. There will be a reception for Museum members and special guests on Thursday, October 9, and the exhibition will be on view October 10 – November 9, 2014.

Lulu Yee, curator of Odin’s Eye, is not originally from Iceland, but she lived there and developed an interest and affection for the particular culture of her adopted home. “I lived in Iceland for four years,” she said, “and am fascinated with the connection Icelanders have with nature, their colorful heritage, their folklore, hidden people, elves, the Norse Gods.” Yee is also an artist herself, and some of her work is featured in the exhibition. There are seven other artists featured, including Icelanders Gunnella, Kristín Ragna Gunnarsdóttir, Sindri Már Sigfússon, and Ingibjörg Birgisdóttir, and American artists Derek Weisberg, Pandora Andre-Beatty and Michael Linton Simpson.

“Iceland is a nation of great storytellers, and I wanted to work on a group show which addresses an aspect of the Icelandic heritage, while at the same time, viewing it through the lens of a foreigner who has had little exposure to those stories,” Yee said. Odin’s Eye seeks to build an inspirational bridge between Americans and Icelanders as artists visually interpret Norse Mythology through various mediums.

The tales of Norse mythology offer ways to understand the ideas and daily life of Icelanders in the early 13th century. “Snorri’s Edda [a 13th century document of Norse myths] contains a complete world view expressed in mythological terms for us to enjoy as a window into a different world of learning from what we have grown accustomed to with the rise of Western science and civilization,” said Gísli Sigurðsson, Research Professor and Head of the Department of Folklore at The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies at the University of Iceland.

Odin’s Eye offers visitors to the Nordic Heritage Museum a chance to get to know these ancient Nordic stories through the enchanting works of contemporary artists.

For more information about Taste of Iceland in Seattle visit www.icelandnaturally.com

ABOUT THE NORDIC HERITAGE MUSEUM: With over 55,000 visitors annually, the Nordic Heritage Museum is a cultural treasure in the Pacific Northwest. It is the only museum in the United States that represents the cultural heritage of all five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The Museum’s mission is to share Nordic culture with people of all ages and backgrounds by exhibiting art and objects, preserving collections, providing educational and cultural experiences and serving as a community gathering place. The Nordic Heritage Museum presents a wide range of vibrant programs including contemporary art exhibitions, outstanding concerts, lectures and films and a variety of special events throughout the year.

Museum hours: Tues-Sat 10 am to 4 pm; Sun 12 noon to 4 pm; Mon closed
Admission: $8 general; $7 seniors & college students; $6 children 5 and older;
FREE for children under 5 and Museum members; free on first Thursdays.

The Museum is located at 3014 NW 67th Street, Seattle, WA 98117. Please visit www.nordicmuseum.org

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