Ragnar Kjartansson

About the Artworks and Artists

The theatrical S.S. Hangover boat sails under the flag of a plump Pegasus in a continuous loop around the Harlem Meer, carrying a brass sextet from Metropolis Ensemble playing a composition by Kjartan Sveinsson.

The S.S. Hangover, a haphazard hybrid of Greek, Icelandic and Venetian ship design, was originally a 1934 wooden fishing boat from Reykjavík that the artist transformed into a remake of a theatrical boat that appeared on dry land in a swanky party scene in the film Remember Last Night? (1935). Sailing under the flag of a winged fat Pegasus–one that Kjartansson regards as a symbol for the artist struggling to reach sublime heights–this performative sculpture has an air of celebration and defeat to it. Ragnar Kjartansson’s featured artwork S.S. Hangover was debuted at the 55th Venice Biennale (2013).

Instrumentals are provided by the Grammy-nominated Metropolis Ensemble, New York’s finest young chamber musicians, led by conductor Andrew Cyr.

HARLEM MEER EAST SIDE NEAR LENOX AVENUE (MALCOLM X BOULEVARD) ENTRANCE

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS, PERFORMANCE ON LOOP FROM 12 – 6PM

ABOUT RAGNAR KJARTANSSON

Photograph by Elisabet Davids

Icelandic conceptual and performance artist Ragnar Kjartansson’s practice draws on a rich history of performance and stage traditions. His interdisciplinary and often-playful work creates tensions between the dramatic and the mundane, tragedy and humor. His performances frequently have an extended duration, lasting from several hours to days at time, and transforming simple motifs, actions, and music through sustained repetition into what the artist calls performative sound sculptures.His love for performance initially translated as endeavors into music-making. Kjartansson has been active in numerous Icelandic bands of varying quality and popularity and has since had ongoing collaborative relationships with Kjartan Sveinsson–a founding member of Sigur Rós–virtuoso Davíð Þór Jónsson, and the band The National.