Record number of students graduating from the Iceland Academy of the Arts
The graduation ceremony of the Iceland Academy of the Arts was undoubtedly one of the biggest art events of the year and one of the highlights of cultural life in the capital area This year there were over 70 events on the agenda, almost 200 students graduated and it was estimated that over 30,000 visitors would attend the festival.
„The graduation ceremony of the Iceland Academy of the Arts is an important event that celebrates and reflects the creativity, growth, ambition and passion that our students possess, and we are proud to see them step forward as new voices in Icelandic cultural life“.“ said Kristín Eysteinsdóttir, rector of the Iceland Academy of the Arts.
The festival officially began on January 24 with performances from the performing arts department and events across the city, and the last performance ended on June 1.
First graduates of the Faculty of Cinematographic Arts
Filma Film Festival, the annual final event of the Faculty of Cinematic Arts, was held for the second time. The festival is the highlight of the winter as students step forward as independent filmmakers and present the results of their studies This time the festival marked a historic turning point, as this year the first cohort is graduating with a university degree in filmmaking in this country.
FILMA took place at the Cinema Paradise on 27 - 29 May, where 32 film and script works were shown The first exhibition was devoted to the final projects of 1st year students, the second exhibition featured the work of 2nd year students, and the third exhibition was dedicated to graduation works The festival ended with special festival screenings where graduation works were shown again.
FILMA offered the public, professionals and the media a unique opportunity to get to know a new voice in Icelandic filmmaking and see how students use storytelling techniques, forms and film techniques Students actively participated in all aspects of the festival, from concept work and execution to presentations and exhibitions, and made FILMU a true harvest festival.
Music Department Graduation Concert
The graduation concert of the Faculty of Music is an essential part of the graduation ceremony of the Iceland Academy of the Arts This year, over 30 students graduated from different study programs, including composition, instrumentation, singing, music education and creative music communication.
The concerts reflected both the variety and depth of artistic creation within the department The graduation concerts were varied and took place across the city, including in the Hall in Kópavogur, Hallgrímskirkja, Laugarneskirkja, Norræna húsin and in other places The graduation concerts are both a personal statement and a professional test, where students have the opportunity to step forward as independent artists under the guidance of teachers.
Graduation exhibitions of BA students in Architecture, Design and Art
The BA students„ graduation exhibition in Architecture, Design and Art was one of the larger exhibitions of the year at the Reykjavík Art Museum This was an opportunity for professionals and enthusiasts to see the work of future artists and designers This year, 74 students participated in the exhibition “All Inclusive" The exhibition provided insight into the research and work process of students of recent years. A variety of student works were tackled, among other things on subjects such as disasters, societal apathy and political statements The result was impressive.
Master's Graduation and Fashion Exhibitions
An exhibition of Master's students in art, „Visible Spectrum“, was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art and consisted of works that studied identity, memory, and transformation This exhibition had the common commitment to explore the subjects through art.
The fashion exhibition of the graduates of the department of fashion design was held in Harpa Students presented their works after three years of study Final projects of fashion design students were individual projects involving voluntary study, design of clothing line, etcg implementation of the clothing line under the guidance of instructors.
Graduation work of the Performing Arts Department
This year, 37 students graduated from the Faculty of Performing Arts, who performed with diverse works in the fields of dance, drama and stage writer. There were a total of 20 graduation works and they were shown in numerous places around the country, including the Laugarnes Academy of the Arts, the National Theater, the City Theater, the Moon on Austurstræti, the Potato Storage Center in Eyrarbakki, Ölveri in Glæsibær and Leifshús in Akureyri.
MA students opened the graduation ceremony on January 24 with a wide range of works, reflecting their creative journey through the G-Hour study period devoted to research, experimentation and artistic creation.
The graduate work of stage writers followed, with 11 students taking on different roles of stage writers Their work highlights their diverse artistic vision and independent approach to the performing arts, whether they were authors, directors, choreographers or performers.
The students of the international contemporary dance program showed original solo works this winter to great acclaim, and in May they performed graduation works by two renowned choreographers: Halla Ólafsdóttir, who staged the work Divine, and Sandrine Cassini, who wrote Disaster Resilience of the Water especially for the graduating group.
The student actors finished the graduation ceremony of the performing arts department with the musical Leg, by Hugleik Dagsson and Flís, which they premiered in Kassan at the National Theater. Þórunn Arna Kristjánsdóttir directed this energetic graduating group. All performances were sold out and the audience was in the clouds.
Master's degree graduates in Architecture and Design
An exhibition of master students of architecture was held at the Museum House on Hverfisgatu, and was entitled Visible Spectrum The projects merged into an interesting „synergyia“, where students presented different perspectives, shaped by diverse cultural roots, media and ideological approaches The exhibition reflected how architecture can increase social awareness, promote social justice, and promote social transformation.
The works were combined in exploring how architecture can strengthen shared spaces, improve access, and promote social harmony Students approached their projects as collaborative projects aimed at us all being able to live together in harmony, with architecture being used as a tool to improve and enhance communities through artistic responsibility and social awareness.
A graduation exhibition for master's students in design, Meaning Making Machines: Approaches to Perception, Intuition, and Imagined Realities, was held in the exhibition space Á Milli vid Ingólfsstræti. The exhibition shed light on and design thinking that focuses on perception, a new view of intuition, artificial intelligence and imaginary realities.
The works offered a critical view of the contemporary world and encouraged visitors to consider the relationship between technology, nature, and creativity The exhibition reflected the diverse methods and personal approach of master students in interpreting and shaping experiences through design as a form of research and expression.
Master's degree graduation at Art Education
The Art Education Department of the Iceland Academy of the Arts hosted a graduation event in Hamri in May. There, future art teachers presented their final projects in a diverse and creative way. Studies in art education at LHÍ are based on a conversation between different arts and pedagogy and emphasize leadership skills, collaboration and critical thinking. Students develop methods that integrate arts and teaching with the aim of influencing the school work of the future. Upon graduation, students receive teaching qualifications at all school levels.
