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A series of novels never written / Ragnheiður Sigurðardóttir Bjarnason & Snæbjörn Brynjarsson (Reykjavík)

  • Skuggi / Iceland Academy of the Arts Lækjargata Reykjavík, 101 Iceland (map)

A series of novels never written - how not to become a writer

Since before he even could read, Snæbjörn wanted to become a writer. Then he married Ragnheiður who is absolutely convinced he’s actually a dancer stuck in a writer’s body. Or maybe even a choreographer.

Abandoning the written word for what seems to be a quicker and easier creative process, Snæbjörn will translate his unfinished novels into dance. But what really matters when it comes to a good translation? Is translating words into movements as simple and as easy as translating Icelandic into English? Capturing the spirit of the idea? The style of the author? Can an unwritten bestselling vampire-sci-fi-novel provide the score for a dance, or will ideas have to be compromised to better fit into the aesthetics of contemporary dance?

On the power of language, or the lack thereof...

Ragnheiður and Snæbjörn met in the Icelandic academy of art, where he studied Theory and Practice and she Dance & Choreography. Later on she followed him to Japan and he chased her to Sweden. Currently they live in Paris.

Ragnheiður has made several works with her collaborators in Íslenska hreyfiþróunarsamsteypan, she studied public and social art in the theatre academy of Gothenburg, and has choreographed solos as well as complicated mazes, installations and videoworks.

Snæbjörn has written three fantasy novels in collaboration with Kjartan Yngvi Björnsson, that have enjoyed much popularity as well as winning several prizes. He writes articles on cultural matters and travelling for the newspaper Stundin. Snæbjörn regularly performs with Philippe Quésne´s Vivarium Studio.

Concept and performance by: Ragnheiður Sigurðardóttir Bjarnarson and Snæbjörn Brynjarsson

Performed by: Snæbjörn Brynjarsson

Dramaturgical Advice: Alexander Roberts

When : Saturday, August 29, 18:00

Where : Skuggi, Lækjargata 2a, Reykjavík (walk in from Austurstræti)

Duration : 1 hour

Ticket price : 2.900 iskr. Buy tickets here

Performed in English

Presented by Reykjavík Dance Festival and LÓKAL

REBEL REBEL

Áður en Snæbjörn Brynjarsson lærði að lesa, var hann þegar ákveðinn í að verða rithöfundur. En svo hitti hann Ragnheiði sem heldur því fram að Snæbjörn sé í raun dansari, fastur í líkama rithöfundar. Og nú hefur Snæbjörn þýtt óskrifaðar skáldsögur sínar yfir á hið alþjóðlega tungumál dansins. Er þýðing skáldsögu yfir í dansverk jafn auðveld og þýðing úr íslensku yfir á ensku? Nær maður að viðhalda anda verksins, stíl höfundar? Getur óskrifuð metsölubók orðið frábært dansverk?