- Magnus Birkir SKARPHEDINSSON
Audio Media Artist
Musician
From Reykjavik, Iceland
Majored in visual arts at Iceland Art School.
Graduates in 2008
A unique blend of sounds and instruments in artistic installations become his subject of video art.
Magnus stayed in Sapporo from August 1 to September 30 as a resident artist for the ICC+S-AIR2008 Creative Asset Development Project(Artist in Residence/Cultural Affairs Agency Media Art Laboratory sponsored this event)
- ICC and S-Air
"In Iceland, facilities that support artists such as ICC only exist in educational agencies, and only limited people can use them. I was very grateful for the environment I was given at ICC," says Magnus. He also said the programs at S-Air were practical, which allowed him to concentrate on creating his artwork.
Magnus Speaking about ICC
- Memories of Sapporo
His favorite memory is of a time he met a Samisen player, when he also tried playing the instrument. Being a musician himself, it is no wonder this experience made an impact on him. He also took over 500 photographs of the Sapporo area. His subjects were his friends and people in the city, as well as the scenery from his house. He enjoyed long exposures, leaving the shutter open for 30 seconds, which gave him a unique surreal look that turned the city green.
Magnus's photographic work
Magnus Speaks about the difference between Iceland and Japan
- Magnus's work
Magnus composes his music on the computer, inputting one sound at a time. He was introduced to many different sounds for the first time in Sapporo. The most surprising sound to him was the sound of the pachinko parlors piercing the quiet city streets. He went to one several times to listen to the sounds there. As an Icelander, a pachinko parlor's sound is not something you hear every day. His plan is to use pachinko parlor sounds in some of his mixed tracks. "If I find a sound that you only hear in one place, it becomes proof that I've been there. That's why I enjoy this style of making music so much." He says he always searches for ways Japan and Iceland can collaborate with music. We can't wait to see the blending of these two cultures in his future work.
Magnus's exhibit held at OYOYO in Central Sapporo
Web site with Magnus's music
Magnus Birkir SKARPHEDINSSON MySpace
