Acknowledging Lukas Kühne’s sculpture Tvísöngur as “an important sonic landmark in the cultural landscape of East Iceland,” Múlaþing, which owns the work, and Skaftfell, which oversees its care, recently signed an agreement with the artist ensuring the long-term preservation and protection of both the sculpture and site.
The monumental sculpture, situated on the slopes of Mt. Strandartindur in Seyðisfjörður, opened to the public more than ten years ago, in September, 2012. In creating the work, Kühne has said, “My concern was to listen to the place, the culture of Iceland, and to create a connection with my current artistic praxis. So in my research I came across the Icelandic two-part parallel fifth polyphonic singing, tvísöngur. This ancient sound concept immediately became spatialized in my imagination.”
Today, the sculpture is regarded as one of the most significant public artworks in Iceland, delighting visitors and inspiring new soundworks, performances, and recordings by other artists. The sculpture was a gift by the artist to the Icelandic people.