Shelters (2009 – 2015)
The beginning of this series can be traced back to the collapse of the Icelandic banks and economy in the fall of 2008. During that strange time Einar Falur was working on Saga-Sites – In the Footsteps of W.G. Collingwood, a project that became a book and exhibition. Despite beeing busy with that project Einar Falur asked himself how he could reflect in his medium on the turmoil. He started working on two projects, one of which is Shelters.
Behind this collection of man-made structures is the question where animals, just like men, could find shelters from the storms beating on the island. One answer Einar Falur found in these simple constructions that can serve as a metaphor for the shelter Icelanders were seeking this fateful autumn. These often sturdy shelters can be found all over Iceland. They are built with only the functionality in mind, without any influence from the latest trends in architecture or design. The shelters are built with care, from the materials at hand, and are given the forms their creators invent and believe in. These are the shelters thoughtful shepherds build for their animals, mainly horses.
The series has been exhibited in various forms in museums and galleries in Iceland, Switzerland, Denmark, USA and Germany.
Vatnsdalur-valley. From the series Shelters (2009–2015)
Flóinn. From the series Shelters (2009–2015)
Biskupstungur. From the series Shelters (2009–2015)
Landsveit. From the series Shelters (2009–2015)
Flóinn. From the series Shelters (2009–2015)
Svínavatnshreppur. From the series Shelters (2009–2015)
Borgarfjörður. From the series Shelters (2009–2015)
Selvogur. From the series Shelters (2009–2015)
Grundarfjörður. From the series Shelters (2009–2015)
Vatnsdalur. From the series Shelters (2009–2015)
Vatnsdalur. From the series Shelters (2009–2015)
Vatnsdalur. From the series Shelters (2009–2015)
By lake Thingvellir. From the series Shelters (2009–2015)
Prints from the series Shelters in the exhibition ICELAND: Artists Respond to Place. Katonah Museum of Art, New York State, 2014.
Prints from the series Shelters in a solo-exhibition, ASÍ Art Museum, Reykjavík, 2012.
Prints from the series Shelters, and a sculpture by Thordis Alda Sigurðardóttir, in the exhibition ICELAND: Artists Respond to Place. Scandinavia House, New York City, 2014.
Prints from the series Shelters in a solo-exhibition, Oslo8 Gallery, Basel, Switzerland, 2015.