Hildur Elísa Jónsdóttir (she/her)
b. 1993 in Iceland
hildurelisa@gmail.com
+354 690 4395
Based in Reykjavík and Amsterdam
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b. 1993 in Iceland
hildurelisa@gmail.com
+354 690 4395
Based in Reykjavík and Amsterdam
Hildur Elísa is an artist, musician and composer interested in storytelling and creating engulfing experiences within spaces, often inspired by the mundanity of everyday life. In her works, she uses relational aesthetics and methods of institutional critique to interrupt and criticise normative narrative and show her subjects from a new angle.
Through a variety of media - performance, moving image, installation and music - Hildur Elísa employs normalised human behaviours and experiences in a critical way, displacing them into an artistic context. By placing these mundane, everyday happenings in unconventional and absurd scenes, she aims to challenge our understanding of our heavily constructed social reality, reflecting on our own ability to create new meaning and to forge our own reality - always asking ‘why’ and ‘what if’.
Hildur Elísa’s creative process is a balance between caprice and compulsive research. She is particularly interested in how we experience everything that happens around us, what of those experiences we have in common and where we differ and strives to create works that force the viewer to create their own meaning.
Hildur Elísa holds a diploma in classical clarinet from the Reykjavík College of Music and a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from the Iceland University of the Arts. During her studies at the IUA she went on exchange in the Kunst und Vermittlung department at Hochschule Luzern in Switzerland, where her work Konzert für Spielzeug und Schwimmbad was chosen by curator Michael Sutter to be exhibited at the HSLU exemplary exhibition, K+. After graduating, she interned with artist, musician and composer Lina Lapelytė in Vilnius, Lithuania. Her works have been selected for festivals such as Gaudeamus Muziekweek, Grachten Festival, November Music, LungA, Plan-B Art Festival, Platform Nord, Tokyo Biennale and Ung Nordisk Musik, and have been performed by, among others, Juho Myllylä, K!art - Ensemble for New Music and Performance Art, Jónas Ásgeir Ásgeirsson and Antti Tolvi. Besides making her own work, she has served as a board member of the Association of Icelandic Artists, is currently vice chair of Ung Nordisk Musik Iceland and co-founded Associate Gallery with Ástríður Jónsdóttir and Joe Keys. Hildur Elísa is currently enrolled in Re:master Opera, a temporary master’s program at Sandberg Institute supported by the Dutch National Opera and Opera Forward Festival.
Through a variety of media - performance, moving image, installation and music - Hildur Elísa employs normalised human behaviours and experiences in a critical way, displacing them into an artistic context. By placing these mundane, everyday happenings in unconventional and absurd scenes, she aims to challenge our understanding of our heavily constructed social reality, reflecting on our own ability to create new meaning and to forge our own reality - always asking ‘why’ and ‘what if’.
Hildur Elísa’s creative process is a balance between caprice and compulsive research. She is particularly interested in how we experience everything that happens around us, what of those experiences we have in common and where we differ and strives to create works that force the viewer to create their own meaning.
Hildur Elísa holds a diploma in classical clarinet from the Reykjavík College of Music and a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from the Iceland University of the Arts. During her studies at the IUA she went on exchange in the Kunst und Vermittlung department at Hochschule Luzern in Switzerland, where her work Konzert für Spielzeug und Schwimmbad was chosen by curator Michael Sutter to be exhibited at the HSLU exemplary exhibition, K+. After graduating, she interned with artist, musician and composer Lina Lapelytė in Vilnius, Lithuania. Her works have been selected for festivals such as Gaudeamus Muziekweek, Grachten Festival, November Music, LungA, Plan-B Art Festival, Platform Nord, Tokyo Biennale and Ung Nordisk Musik, and have been performed by, among others, Juho Myllylä, K!art - Ensemble for New Music and Performance Art, Jónas Ásgeir Ásgeirsson and Antti Tolvi. Besides making her own work, she has served as a board member of the Association of Icelandic Artists, is currently vice chair of Ung Nordisk Musik Iceland and co-founded Associate Gallery with Ástríður Jónsdóttir and Joe Keys. Hildur Elísa is currently enrolled in Re:master Opera, a temporary master’s program at Sandberg Institute supported by the Dutch National Opera and Opera Forward Festival.
Education
2024
2021
2019
2019
2018
2015
2021
2019
2019
2018
2015
Sandberg Instituut, Re:master Opera, MA. Amsterdam, NL
S. Demetz’ Academy of Singing, classical soprano, basic level exam. Reykjavík, IS
Internship with artist, musician and composer Lina Lapelytė. Vilnius, LT
Iceland University of the Arts, Fine Art, BA. Reykjavík, IS
Hochschule Luzern, Kunst und Vermittlung, exchange semester. Luzern, CH
Reykjavík College of Music, classical clarinet, diploma. Reykjavík, IS
S. Demetz’ Academy of Singing, classical soprano, basic level exam. Reykjavík, IS
Internship with artist, musician and composer Lina Lapelytė. Vilnius, LT
Iceland University of the Arts, Fine Art, BA. Reykjavík, IS
Hochschule Luzern, Kunst und Vermittlung, exchange semester. Luzern, CH
Reykjavík College of Music, classical clarinet, diploma. Reykjavík, IS
Solo Exhibitions
2023
2021
2018
2021
2018
Seeking Solace. Gallerí Úthverfa / Outvert Art Space. Ísafjörður, IS
með leyndarmál í brosinu. Gryfjan, Ásmundarsalur. Reykjavík, IS
Einn kemur þá annar fer og allir ríða þeir skjótt um. Naflinn, LHÍ Laugarnes. Reykjavík, IS
með leyndarmál í brosinu. Gryfjan, Ásmundarsalur. Reykjavík, IS
Einn kemur þá annar fer og allir ríða þeir skjótt um. Naflinn, LHÍ Laugarnes. Reykjavík, IS
Group Exhibitions
2023
2022
2022
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2018
2018
2017
2017
2017
2022
2022
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2018
2018
2017
2017
2017
Tokyo Biennale 2023, Linkages. Tokyo, JP
Jólasýningin. Ásmundarsalur. Reykjavík, IS
Business as Usual. Associate Gallery. Reykjavík, IS
Platform Nord. Kristiansand, NO
Plan-B Art Festival. Landnámssetrið. Borgarnes, IS
Í stíl við persónuleika hins látna. The greenhouse by the Nordic House. Reykjavík, IS
First Time Ever. Kjarvalsstaðir. Reykjavík, IS
suðsuðves. Segull 67. Siglufjörður, IS
K+. HSLU Sentimatt. Luzern, CH
K&V im C&A. C&A, Kappellgasse 4. Luzern, CH
We Rept What We Shept. Brautarholt 16. Reykjavík, IS
Test Driving (Our Art Practices (Also Party)). With Sigrún Gyða Sveinsdóttir in RÝMD. Reykjavík, IS
Breytileg brot. Molinn Ungmennahús. Kópavogur, IS
Jólasýningin. Ásmundarsalur. Reykjavík, IS
Business as Usual. Associate Gallery. Reykjavík, IS
Platform Nord. Kristiansand, NO
Plan-B Art Festival. Landnámssetrið. Borgarnes, IS
Í stíl við persónuleika hins látna. The greenhouse by the Nordic House. Reykjavík, IS
First Time Ever. Kjarvalsstaðir. Reykjavík, IS
suðsuðves. Segull 67. Siglufjörður, IS
K+. HSLU Sentimatt. Luzern, CH
K&V im C&A. C&A, Kappellgasse 4. Luzern, CH
We Rept What We Shept. Brautarholt 16. Reykjavík, IS
Test Driving (Our Art Practices (Also Party)). With Sigrún Gyða Sveinsdóttir in RÝMD. Reykjavík, IS
Breytileg brot. Molinn Ungmennahús. Kópavogur, IS
Compositions
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
2022
2022
2021
2021
2021
2020
2020
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
2022
2022
2021
2021
2021
2020
2020
her immeasurable soul, performed by Juho Myllylä. Theater Artemis Bovenzaal at November Music. Den Bosch, NL
her immeasurable soul, performed by Juho Myllylä. Nieuwe Noten Amsterdam, Plein Theater. Amsterdam, NL Nú erum torvelt, performed by Jónas Ásgeir Ásgeirsson. Kulturnatten, Nordatlantens Brygge. Copenhagen, DK her immeasurable soul, performed by Juho Myllylä. Club 9, Tivoli Vredenburg, Gaudeamus Festival. Utrecht, NL
her immeasurable soul, performed by Juho Myllylä. Koffieconcert, Huize de Gaudeamus. Bilthoven, NL
her immeasurable soul, performed live by Juho Myllylä. Earbites, broadcast on NPO Klassiek as part of NTR Podium. Amsterdam, NL
her immeasurable soul (premiere), performed by Juho Myllylä. De Duif, Grachtenfestival. Amsterdam, NL
Þráhyggjufugl, premiere, performed by Maral Yerbol. Seeking Birdscapes. HSLU, CH
THIRSTY WORK, commissioned by K!ART, premiere. Mengi. Reykjavík, IS
To the Last Drop, co-created w. Kari Telstad Sundet. Sound Pals in KMH, Sound of Stockholm. Stockholm, SE
ii+iii. Gryfjan, Ásmundarsalur. Reykjavík, IS
ULTRADOLENTE. Gryfjan, Ásmundarsalur. Reykjavík, IS
Konzert für Spielzeug und Schwimmbad performed by Antti Tolvi. Ung Nordisk Musik, Eteläpuisto Park Pier. Tampere, FI
Nú erum torvelt, performed by Jónas Ásgeir Ásgeirsson. Ögnun, Tjarnarbíó. Reykjavík, IS
her immeasurable soul, performed by Juho Myllylä. Nieuwe Noten Amsterdam, Plein Theater. Amsterdam, NL Nú erum torvelt, performed by Jónas Ásgeir Ásgeirsson. Kulturnatten, Nordatlantens Brygge. Copenhagen, DK her immeasurable soul, performed by Juho Myllylä. Club 9, Tivoli Vredenburg, Gaudeamus Festival. Utrecht, NL
her immeasurable soul, performed by Juho Myllylä. Koffieconcert, Huize de Gaudeamus. Bilthoven, NL
her immeasurable soul, performed live by Juho Myllylä. Earbites, broadcast on NPO Klassiek as part of NTR Podium. Amsterdam, NL
her immeasurable soul (premiere), performed by Juho Myllylä. De Duif, Grachtenfestival. Amsterdam, NL
Þráhyggjufugl, premiere, performed by Maral Yerbol. Seeking Birdscapes. HSLU, CH
THIRSTY WORK, commissioned by K!ART, premiere. Mengi. Reykjavík, IS
To the Last Drop, co-created w. Kari Telstad Sundet. Sound Pals in KMH, Sound of Stockholm. Stockholm, SE
ii+iii. Gryfjan, Ásmundarsalur. Reykjavík, IS
ULTRADOLENTE. Gryfjan, Ásmundarsalur. Reykjavík, IS
Konzert für Spielzeug und Schwimmbad performed by Antti Tolvi. Ung Nordisk Musik, Eteläpuisto Park Pier. Tampere, FI
Nú erum torvelt, performed by Jónas Ásgeir Ásgeirsson. Ögnun, Tjarnarbíó. Reykjavík, IS
Performances
2023
2021
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2018
2019
2019
2017
2017
2021
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2018
2019
2019
2017
2017
Seeking Solace. Tokyo Biennale 2023. Tokyo, JP
Konzert für Spielzeug und Schwimmbad. Röstin Residency. Þórshöfn, IS
Plan-B Art Festival Performance Night. Space of Milk. Einarsnes, IS
LungA Art Festival. Sundhöll Seyðisfjarðar. Seyðisfjörður, IS
LungA Warm Up Party. Iðnó. Reykjavík, IS
Tacet: Extrinsic with Sinfonia Nord. Langholtskirkja. Reykjavík, IS
Tacet: Extrinsic with Sinfonia Nord. Hamraborg, Hof. Akureyri, IS
Voila*!. Frauenraum. Bern, CH
ACT Performance Festival. Unternehmen Mitte. Basel, CH
ACT Performance Festival. Halles USEGO. Sierre, CH
Dagur Myndlistar. The SÍM-house. Reykjavík, IS
Eitt Þak Takk. Sölvhólsgata 13. Reykjavík, IS
Konzert für Spielzeug und Schwimmbad. Röstin Residency. Þórshöfn, IS
Plan-B Art Festival Performance Night. Space of Milk. Einarsnes, IS
LungA Art Festival. Sundhöll Seyðisfjarðar. Seyðisfjörður, IS
LungA Warm Up Party. Iðnó. Reykjavík, IS
Tacet: Extrinsic with Sinfonia Nord. Langholtskirkja. Reykjavík, IS
Tacet: Extrinsic with Sinfonia Nord. Hamraborg, Hof. Akureyri, IS
Voila*!. Frauenraum. Bern, CH
ACT Performance Festival. Unternehmen Mitte. Basel, CH
ACT Performance Festival. Halles USEGO. Sierre, CH
Dagur Myndlistar. The SÍM-house. Reykjavík, IS
Eitt Þak Takk. Sölvhólsgata 13. Reykjavík, IS
Screenings
2023
2021
2020
2019
2018
2021
2020
2019
2018
Einn kemur þá annar fer, og allir ríða þeir skjótt um. Sandberg Instituut x Home Cinema. Amsterdam, NL
One-Trick Ponies. Gryfjan, Ásmundarsalur. Reykjavík, IS
Goatcast, a streaming service on Cashmere Radio. Berlin, DE
Konzert für Spielzeug und Schwimmbad. RÝMD. Reykjavík, IS
Skotleyfi á skynfærin: Videotek#2. Húrra. Reykjavík, IS
One-Trick Ponies. Gryfjan, Ásmundarsalur. Reykjavík, IS
Goatcast, a streaming service on Cashmere Radio. Berlin, DE
Konzert für Spielzeug und Schwimmbad. RÝMD. Reykjavík, IS
Skotleyfi á skynfærin: Videotek#2. Húrra. Reykjavík, IS
Writing
2020
On the resolute ephemerality of performance. Ecological Threads, UNM Zine. Tampere, FI
Curating/Programming
2022
2022
2021
2020
2020
2014
2022
2021
2020
2020
2014
Associate Gallery. Co-founder and associate/curator. Reykjavík, IS
Ung Nordisk Musik Reykjavík 2022: co-structing. Organiser, curator & editor-in-chief. Ung Nordisk Musik. Reykjavík, IS
World Art Day 2021, project manager. The Association of Icelandic Artists. IS
Month of Visual Art, project manager. The Association of Icelandic Artists, IS
Primate Climate, curator. Hlöðuloftið, Korpúlfsstaðir. Reykjavík, IS
Dúó Nítsirkasíle with Hilma Kristín Sveinsdóttir. Co-founder, programmer & clarinettist. Reykjavík, IS
World Art Day 2021, project manager. The Association of Icelandic Artists. IS
Month of Visual Art, project manager. The Association of Icelandic Artists, IS
Primate Climate, curator. Hlöðuloftið, Korpúlfsstaðir. Reykjavík, IS
Dúó Nítsirkasíle with Hilma Kristín Sveinsdóttir. Co-founder, programmer & clarinettist. Reykjavík, IS
Grants/Residencies
2023
2023
2023
2023
2022
2021
2021
2020
2020
2013
2023
2023
2023
2022
2021
2021
2020
2020
2013
Iceland Music Export Fund, travel grant. IS
Muggur, travel grant. IS
Tokyo Biennale, Artist-in-Residence. JP
Iceland Music Export Fund, travel grant. IS
Tónskáldasjóður RÚV og STEF. IS
PAiR Residency. VV Foundation. Pāvilosta, LV
Röstin Residency. Þórshöfn, IS
Myndstef, project grant. IS
Iceland Composers Salary Fund, one month stipend. IS
Minningarsjóður Helgu Guðmundsdóttur. IS
Muggur, travel grant. IS
Tokyo Biennale, Artist-in-Residence. JP
Iceland Music Export Fund, travel grant. IS
Tónskáldasjóður RÚV og STEF. IS
PAiR Residency. VV Foundation. Pāvilosta, LV
Röstin Residency. Þórshöfn, IS
Myndstef, project grant. IS
Iceland Composers Salary Fund, one month stipend. IS
Minningarsjóður Helgu Guðmundsdóttur. IS
Performer
2023
2023
2023
2022
2009-18
2023
2023
2022
2009-18
Slip - 30 meters and 75.000 kilos by Caz Egelie. Sandberg Instituut. Amsterdam, NL
Slip - 30 meters and 75.000 kilos by Caz Egelie. Onomatopee. Eindhoven, NL
She’s been in the bizz for years by Caz Egelie. TAC. Eindhoven, NL
HLAUPA by Sigrún Gyða Sveinsdóttir. Reykjavík, IS
The Hamrahlíð Choir, soprano and clarinettist. Reykjavík, IS
Slip - 30 meters and 75.000 kilos by Caz Egelie. Onomatopee. Eindhoven, NL
She’s been in the bizz for years by Caz Egelie. TAC. Eindhoven, NL
HLAUPA by Sigrún Gyða Sveinsdóttir. Reykjavík, IS
The Hamrahlíð Choir, soprano and clarinettist. Reykjavík, IS
Re:master Opera
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
2022
2023
2023
2023
2023
2022
i fell asleep on minute 6 with Re:Master Opera. NoArt Festival. Amsterdam, NL
i fell asleep on minute 6 with Re:Master Opera. SYNERGI Festival. Amsterdam, NL
Dag van de Componist. New Music Now at Holland Festival. NL
i fell asleep on minute 6, premiere at Opera Forward Festival. Amsterdam, NL
Re:master Opera. DOOR OPEN SPACE Opening. Amsterdam, NL
Re:master Opera, premiere. Tempel, Amsterdam Dance Events. Amsterdam, NL
i fell asleep on minute 6 with Re:Master Opera. SYNERGI Festival. Amsterdam, NL
Dag van de Componist. New Music Now at Holland Festival. NL
i fell asleep on minute 6, premiere at Opera Forward Festival. Amsterdam, NL
Re:master Opera. DOOR OPEN SPACE Opening. Amsterdam, NL
Re:master Opera, premiere. Tempel, Amsterdam Dance Events. Amsterdam, NL
Other
2023-
2021-23
2021-23
2021-22
2020-22
2021
2020
2017
2017
2021-23
2021-23
2021-22
2020-22
2021
2020
2017
2017
Ung Nordisk Musik Iceland, vice chair. Reykjavík, IS
Ung Nordisk Musik Iceland, board member. Reykjavík, IS
The Association of Icelandic Artists, board member. Reykjavík, IS
Tónabær Youth Center in Reykjavík City, general manager. Reykjavík, IS
Tónabær Youth Center in Reykjavík City, vice manager. Reykjavík, IS
Open Reykjavík University, Practical Project Management course, prof. Þórður Víkingur Friðgeirsson. IS
Workshop with Ung Nordisk Musik Iceland. Reykjavík, IS
Workshop with Mary Coble for Stemmer. KODA Bergen. Bergen, NO
Iceland Art Center, invigilator in the Icelandic Pavilion for the 57th Venice Biennale. IT
Ung Nordisk Musik Iceland, board member. Reykjavík, IS
The Association of Icelandic Artists, board member. Reykjavík, IS
Tónabær Youth Center in Reykjavík City, general manager. Reykjavík, IS
Tónabær Youth Center in Reykjavík City, vice manager. Reykjavík, IS
Open Reykjavík University, Practical Project Management course, prof. Þórður Víkingur Friðgeirsson. IS
Workshop with Ung Nordisk Musik Iceland. Reykjavík, IS
Workshop with Mary Coble for Stemmer. KODA Bergen. Bergen, NO
Iceland Art Center, invigilator in the Icelandic Pavilion for the 57th Venice Biennale. IT