Sophisticated sculptures in Iceland

Located just north of Raufarhöfn, one of Iceland’s most isolated villages, Arctic Henge is a fairly new structure designed to harness the midnight sun as it crowns the horizon of the Arctic Circle. Four magnificent archways represent the seasons and stand in a stoic beauty which puts one in mind of this island’s ancient Norse beliefs. Each of the 72 stones is engraved with the name of the dwarves from Völuspá (Prophecy of the Seeress), a poem from which this postmodern pagan edifice has taken inspiration.

In dedication to the famous Beatle and late-husband of multimedia artist Yoko Ono, the Imagine Peace Tower is a shining tribute to peace, a cause widely espoused by John Lennon throughout his life. Each year, Yoko extends a welcoming invitation to Viðey Island for anyone who’d like to be present for the annual event. Through the dark winter months, the Imagine Peace Tower serves as a reminder of the enduring peace and avoidance of war that Iceland has experienced throughout its history.

This futuristic construction was built and lived in by renowned sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson (1893– 1982). The estate now stands in dedication to the artist’s work and was initially inspired by classic Mediterranean architecture. The iconic dome that sits central to the construction is surrounded by Sveinsson’s sculptures, which are free to visit and appreciate for anyone passing by. Only a five-minute walk from this fascinating building is Laugardalur, one of Reykjavík’s most popular parks and recreation centres.

Lined up decoratively along the harbourside, visitors can see the 34 giant egg sculptures of Djúpivogur, known as Eggin í Gleðivík (The Eggs at Merry Bay). Each egg, designed and sculpted by visual artist Sigurður Guðmundsson, represents one of the bird species local to the area. While in Djúpivogur, make sure to visit an old fish processing factory called Bræðsla that hosts creative art exhibitions during the summer.

Translating to ‘Circle and Sphere’, Orbis et Globus is a sculpture designed by Kristinn E. Hrafnsson. The 3-metre artwork was placed on Grímsey island in 2017 and was designed to move with the changing latitude – the Arctic Circle moves forward approximately 1,5 kilometres each century. Visiting it from the harbour requires a 3-hour roundtrip, yet it has quickly become a pilgrimage of sorts for those seeking the ‘sphere of the North’. Elsewhere on the island, guests can visit The Century Stones, which show where the edge of the Arctic Circle stopped in 1717, 1817 and 1917.