Artist Ólafur Elíasson, here pictured in front of his glass facade at Harpa concert hall, is one of fourteen artists who signed a statement to the government.
Mbl.is/Kristinn Ingvarsson
Fourteen renowned Icelandic artists have challenged Parliament to put at least 50 million ISK into the art fund for 2015. The contribution was supposed to amount to 45 million ISK in the budget but was cut to 25 million ISK by the state budget committee. Among the artists are Ólafur Elíasson, Erró, Gabríela Friðriksdóttir, Steinunn Þórarinsdóttir and Steina Vasulka.
The art fund is the only official fund for artists organised by the state and artists can apply for grants from the fund for creating artwork, setting up exhibitions and conducting research.
The statement issued by the fourteen artists stresses the fact that Icelandic art has gained increasing respect internationally and that large, ambitious exhibitions of art would be of great importance for Icelandic culture. They add that decreased funds to art have already led to fewer projects being set up in Iceland. "We are worried that the continuing decrease of government support of art will have a negative impact and harm Icelandic culture, its influence and the attraction it has generated internationally. "
The fourteen artists who have signed the statement are:
Ólafur Elíasson, Erró, Rúrí, Gabríela Friðriksdóttir, Katrín Sigurðardóttir, Steinunn Þórarinsdóttir, Steina Vasulka, Ragnar Kjartansson, Ragna Róbertsdóttir, Helgi Þorgils Friðjónsson, Eggert Pétursson, Ólöf Nordal, Steingrímur Eyfjörð og Egill Sæbjörnsson.
