Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson is set to enthral Australian audiences with his first major solo exhibition, titled “Mercy,” at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) from 26 June to 4 October. This captivating showcase features a range of his video artworks, including the critically acclaimed multi-screen installation, “The Visitors,” which has garnered a devoted following worldwide. Kjartansson’s work, steeped in emotional resonance and artistic innovation, explores the delicate balance between beauty and sadness that defines the human condition.
A Personal Journey Captured in Video
One of the standout pieces in Kjartansson’s exhibition is “Me and My Mother,” a deeply personal work that chronicles a unique ritual shared between the artist and his mother, Guðrún Ásmundsdóttir. The video captures a series of performances spanning over two decades, in which Ásmundsdóttir, now 90, repeatedly spits in her son’s face while they stand before a bookshelf, evoking a mixture of brutality and tenderness. Kjartansson notes, “I wanted to make a brutal work,” and the evolution of this piece encapsulates both their relationship and the passage of time.
Since its inception in 2000, the performance has been restaged every five years. Each iteration reveals the aging process of both mother and son, with the latest filmed in 2025, marking a poignant reflection on the inevitable changes brought by time. “She almost can’t spit any more. It’s very hard for her,” Kjartansson observes, highlighting the bittersweet nature of their collaboration.
The Cult Phenomenon of ‘The Visitors’
Another significant highlight of “Mercy” is “The Visitors,” a nine-screen installation that has been hailed by critics, including The Guardian, as one of the best artworks of the 21st century. Filmed in a single take at the decaying Rokeby Farm in New York, this immersive experience features individual musicians—each isolated in their own room—performing a haunting melody that gradually builds to a cathartic crescendo. The work serves as both a reflection on Kjartansson’s personal life and a broader commentary on the nature of connection and separation.
With more than 340,000 views on bootleg recordings available on YouTube, “The Visitors” has sparked emotional reactions from viewers, many of whom share their experiences of being moved to tears by its beauty. Kjartansson reflects on the inspiration behind his work, recalling a poignant lesson from his father: “It’s beautiful and sad to be a human being.” This sentiment permeates the exhibition, echoing through the music and visuals that invite audiences into a shared emotional landscape.
The Duality of Human Experience
Kjartansson’s artistry is characterised by its exploration of dualities—the interplay between authenticity and performance, joy and sorrow, and the mundane and the profound. The exhibition encapsulates this ethos through a series of works that resonate with universal themes. In “Scenes from Western Culture,” for instance, the artist presents a series of seemingly idyllic moments that, upon closer inspection, hint at an underlying malaise. This juxtaposition reflects Kjartansson’s observations of modern life, where comfort often masks deeper existential questions.
His latest work, “Sunday Without Love,” draws from a German comedy song and showcases Kjartansson’s ability to weave disparate musical influences—from Elvis to Mozart—into a cohesive narrative that resonates with audiences across cultures. Collaborators on this journey include renowned musicians from Iceland and beyond, creating a rich tapestry of sound that enhances the emotional depth of his installations.
The Ritualistic Nature of Art
The exhibition culminates in “No Tomorrow,” a minimalist piece featuring dancers on an empty stage, symbolising the beauty found in moments of stillness and reflection. Kjartansson explains that the work is about “nothingness and beauty,” echoing the sentiments of American artist Agnes Martin, who posited that all art is an exploration of beauty.
The title of the exhibition, “Mercy,” encapsulates Kjartansson’s exploration of grace and violence in the world, suggesting a spiritual undercurrent to his work. “I like that double edge,” he muses, hinting at a desire to evoke a sense of transcendence through repetition and ritual in his performances. This approach transforms simple gestures into acts of devotion, allowing audiences to engage with the deeper meanings behind his art.
Why it Matters
Ragnar Kjartansson’s “Mercy” is not merely an exhibition; it is a profound meditation on the complexities of human existence. By intertwining personal narratives with universal themes, Kjartansson invites us to confront the beauty and sadness that permeate our lives. His ability to evoke deep emotional responses through art offers a mirror to our own experiences, challenging us to reflect on the relationships we cherish and the inevitable passage of time. As audiences engage with his work, they are reminded of the shared human experience that binds us all—a testament to the enduring power of art in illuminating the intricacies of life.
