The House of Collections and National Gallery Updates: Record Openings and Summer Programmes in Reykjavik
The National Gallery of Iceland network, including the Culture House (Safnahúsið) on Hverfisgata, has marked a historic milestone following the opening weekend of its latest major exhibitions. The joint launch of Björk's echolalia and James Merry's Metamorphlings (also referred to in programming as Transformations) drew the largest opening attendance figures in the institution's history.
Visitors interested in exploring these record-breaking displays can find further details through the Current Exhibitions page or view imagery from the launch via the opening day photo gallery. Additional background on the featured artists is available on the dedicated exhibition pages for Metamorphlings by James Merry and echolalia by Björk.
Curator Tours and Exhibition Insights in Reykjavik
To give visitors a deeper look into the creative processes behind the artwork, curator Pari Stave is leading a special tour through the exhibitions. Listeners can also explore media coverage surrounding the launch, including an interview featuring Björk discussing her collaboration with Merry, environmental themes, and artificial intelligence on the RÚV broadcast Lestin.
For those looking to take a piece of the exhibition home, the museum shops—including the location at Fríkirkjuvegur—are currently stocked with exclusive merchandise and a newly published catalogue. Edited to accompany the current works, the publication features conversations and essays involving the artists alongside contributors such as Oddný Eir, Hólmar Hólm, Ocean Vuong, and Hans Ulrich Obrist. The catalogue can be ordered directly through the online shop, or browsers can view the wider collection via the Safnverslun webstore.
Seasonal Hours and Summer Art Courses
As the institution heads into its summer schedule, the National Gallery by the Pond (Tjörnin), the Culture House on Hverfisgata, and the Einar Jónsson Museum remain open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Visitors planning a trip can consult ticket guidelines on the official Plan your visit portal.
Meanwhile, the museum's creative summer art courses for children at Fríkirkjuvegur are nearing full capacity, with only a few final spots remaining for specific age groups. Registration details can be found on the Abler booking platform.
To keep track of upcoming seasonal schedules and cultural highlights across the city, Musemap (musemap.art) offers curated insights to help plan your next visit. You can easily browse museums or check out what's on exhibitions to discover more cultural landmarks in the area.
