National Museum, Cardiff
Sat 3 Feb – Sun 11 Mar
Contemporary artist Ragnar Kjartansson is showcasing his work in the National Museum with a performative piece entitled The Sky in a Room. It will consist of the song Il Cielo In Una Stanza being performed for five weeks performed on a 1774 organ. The 1959 Italo-pop hit will be performed by a number of organists and will be Kjartansson’s first piece of commissioned art, commissioned by both Artes Mundi and National Museum Wales.
Known for his unique performance-based works, Ragnar draws inspiration from the history of music, film and literature. The Icelandic artist has centred this particular exhibition around Italian songwriter Gino Paoli’s track Il Cielo In Una Stanza – The Sky in a Room in English. Sir Watkin Williams Wynn’s organ, an 18th century organ housed in the National Museum and still in working condition, is an important piece of history in itself, with Williams Wynn being considered one of the most arts patrons produced by Wales. For five hours each day, a series of revolving organists will perform the song on his organ.
Kjartansson has placed a great emphasis on the theme of space in this latest piece, describing his exhibition as “an ode to the transformation of space in that grand blue organ room”. The room in question is the museum’s 18th Century art gallery – but it will not take on its usual form in the performance. The large collection of paintings that usually covers the walls is to be removed, as a means of isolating the performers and the organ. This transformation will emphasise the importance of space, and the juxtaposition between the ‘50s pop song and Williams Wynn’s 1774 organ makes for an interesting combination of both historical and modern art forms. The piece has gained support from Artes Mundi, an arts organisation which supports groundbreaking contemporary artists.
As is typical of his artistic creations, Ragnar Kjartansson aims to offer a unique and emotional experience to his audience via a mix of multiple creative mediums. The exhibition will begin on Sat 3rd Feb, with the series of organists performing for a total of 175 hours.
Admission: free. Info: 0300 111 2 333 / https://museum.wales/cardiff/
words KATY WESTAWAY