ARTISTS / TEAM

Johann Sigmarsson (IS) artist, filmmaker, CEO is founder and entrepreneur of The Equator Memorial Project, International, itinerant Artists project. He will be one of the artists and will design, build and create the functional objects / art pieces with the Equator Artists Group. Sigmarsson was born in 1969 in Reykjavík, Iceland. “PLAN B report ” is his third feature film. “ONE FAMILY” was his second, and “WALLPAPER”, his debut, is one of the most popular movies ever made in Iceland. His career began in 1988 with the TV production company in Reykjavik, + Film ehf. From 1988-2002 Sigmarsson worked on 500-600 of short films, music videos, TV shows and series. He had studio in Reykjavik from 1989-1992 where he was painting and doing iron sculptures. Sigmarsson began working on the script of ONE FAMILY, besides creating the Reykjavik Short Film Festival in 1992. The idea was to create a forum for young film makers to get together and show their work as well as to generate interest in film. That festival discovered several filmmakers who has later been recognised and get international awards, like “Un Certain Regards in Cannes Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, The San Sebastian Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Warsaw International Film Festival and The Nordic Council Film Prize etc. 2001 Sigmarsson was awarded official recognition for the 10th festival by the Minister of Culture and Science in Iceland. For his second film, ONE FAMILY, Sigmarsson himself is the script writer, producer and director. British Film Institute quoted that the film is one of the most important cult movie in Icelandic cinema. He was finishing his third film in full length, “PLAN B Report” in 2000. The script was supported in by the European Script Fund. It is the only film in the history of Icelandic cinema which have all the four filmmakers from Iceland who has been nominated for Oscars Academy Awards from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Sigmarsson has always produced the sound tracks of his films under the label of Bad Taste LTD. His films has been screened at festivals and in cinema, TV, VHS, DVD distribution around the world. Sigmarsson cofounded the Icelandic Film Company in 1991. He produced his last film, “Plan B Report” through the Icelandic Film Corporation ehf. Sigmarsson lived and worked in Berlin from 2001 – 2011 writing film scripts; Gentlemen Alone,The Hidden People and The Poisoned Chalice. All three titles are feature film projects in development, supported by European Union, Nipkow program, Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg, Nordic Film and TV Fund, and the Icelandic Film Centre. Since in December 2013 he has been concentrating on developing “The Equator Memorial Project”, a group of international artists who are creating art pieces and functional objects by recycling historical materials of ruins from world heritage sites.

Education: 1985 – 1986 – The Reykjavík Technical College – Metalwork and mechanical engineering. 1986 – 1987 – The Reykjavík Technical College – Technical Drawing. 1988 – 1990 – The Reykjavik School of Visual Art – Paintings. Exhibitions: 1992 – 900 Drawings and Storyboard at Mocca in Reykjavík. 2011 – Co-idea for exhibition in End of Psüch Galerie Melike Billie in Hamburg. 2012 – Bird on the Shore, Environmental accidents – Disasters and damage in the nature at Dead Gallery in Reykjavík. 2013 – The Art of being Icelandic – Group exhibition in cooperation with Reykjavík UNESCO City of Literature, designed and handmade furniture in old pinewood recycled from the Harbour of Reykjavík which was constructed between 1913 and 1917 exhibited in Reykjavík City Hall. 2013 – Saatci Gallery – “Handmade armchair” name of the piece; The Gift of the Spirit by Johann Sigmarsson. The armchair was selected at The World Interiors News Annual Awards 2013 wich is part of The World Architecture News. 2014 The armchair, The Gift of the Spirit got Runner-up for A’Design Award and the desk Something Regal by Johann Sigmarsson is A’Design Winner at the A’Design Award & Competition in Milan and 2014 – Group Exhibition – Broletto di Como at Piazza Del Duomo, 22100, Como / Italy.  2016 – Harpa, Concert Hall and Conference Centre in Reykjavík exhibit a collection of art pieces from The Equator Memorial Project / International itinerant artists project opened December 15, when it was formally 60 years from the beginning of the diplomatic relations between Iceland and Japan. The first exhibition which is achieved partly in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan was opened by the President of Iceland, Mr. Guðni Th. Jóhannesson and Ambassador, Mr. Yasuhiko Kitagawa. The theme of the exhibition is material from Hiroshima and Reykjavík Harbour with historical informations on the pieces. Established, co-foundation of companies and organisations: 1991 – Founded and established The Icelandic Film Company a private limited company. 1992 – Founded and established The Reykjavík Short Film Festival. 1992 – Co- foundation and Patron of THE ALTERNATIVE HOUSE a cultural and information centre for young people aged 16-25. The centre offers various help and advice, runs an art workshop, a gallery, employment agency and a Special Unit that works with and encourages disabled individuals. 1992 – Co-foundation of The Independent Art Festival in Reykjavík. 1997 – 2000 – Producer for the Icelandic Film Corporation ehf. 2001 – Founded SR Production a private limited company. 2013 – Founded 40,074KM a private limited company. 2013 – Founder and entrepreneur of The Equator Memorial Project, an international, itinerant artists project which is a group of international artists who are creating art pieces and functional objects by recycling historical materials of ruins from world heritage sites. The mission is to hold a series of exhibitions in galleries or museums worldwide in support of a sustainable environment, justice, freedom and peace. The Equator Memorial Project has UNESCO recommendation since 2014. From 2014-2016 he was one of the artists and in cooperation with Neu West Berlin, 5000 square-metres Art Studio which is establishing the Berlin Wall in cooperation with Visible Wall | Damian – Luxpopart by Rosenthal porcelain miniature Berlin Wall Kings of Freedom Limited Edition , Galleries and Accommodation for Artists. In 2016 Johann Sigmarsson bought company in Lithuania (STUDIJA VILNIUS) to establish Art Studio from 2017-2020 for creating the art pieces and functional objects for The Equator Memorial Project and other arts and film projects. Full-length Documentary 2014 – 2024 The Story Behind History, protagonist, writer, coproducer. Feature films: 1992 – Wallpaper, producer, writer, second director. 1995 – One Family, producer, writer, director. 2000 – Plan B Report, producer, writer, director / Feature films projects in development: Gentleman Alone, writer. The Hidden People, writer. The Poisoned Chalice, writer. 

Ksenija Zapadenceva Sigmarsson (LT) Artist for THE LONE WOLF exhibition and owner of /UAB, STUDIJA VILNIUS which is co- producer from Lithuania for the full-length documentary “THE STORY BEHIND HISTORY”, co-partner of The Equator Memorial Project.

The company activities include the development, creation, production, dissemination and preservation of goods and services which embody cultural, artistic or other creative expressions, as well as related functions such as education or management. The cultural and creative sector include inter alia architecture, archives, libraries, galleries and museums, artistic crafts, audiovisual (including film, television and multimedia), tangible and intangible cultural heritage, design, exhibitions, festivals, music, literature, performing arts, publishing, radio and visual arts. Zapadenceva will work as artist on the exhibition as well as provide and organise companies, art framers and professionals to work all glass material and design, create and build all the art frames of the functional objects and the installations which the artists create for the exhibitions. The frames will partly be worked from the material of the historical ruins in collaboration with the artists. She have good knowledge of business environment of Baltic states and experience in international communication and negotiation, as well as team management and data analysis.

She have good knowledge of business environment of Baltic states and experience in international communication and negotiation, as well as team management and data analysis.

Education; Vilnius Academy of Arts, Vilniaus universitetas / Vilnius University, Naugarduko vidurinė mokykla.

EDUCATIONS: 1973-1977 Myndlista og Handíðaskóli Íslands, fornám og Deild í mótun 1977-1978 Stichting de vrije Academi voorn Beeldende Kunsten Den Haag Holland 1978-1980 Rijksakademie Van Beel-dende Kunsten Amsterdam Holland 1983-1986 Rijksakademie V.B.K.

PRIVATE EXHIBITIONS: 1978 Gallerí Suðurgata 7 Reykjavík1979 Gallerí Lóa Amsterdam1980 Gallerí Gangur Reykjavík 1982 Gallerí Garðastræti 2 1983 Nýlistasafnið Reykjavík 1984 Kjarvalsstaðir Reykjavík 1985 Filialle Gallerie Basel Sviss 1986 Nýlistasafnið Reykjavík 1988 Gallerí Krókur Reykjavík 1988 Gallerí Birgis Andréssonar Reykjavík 1989 Gallerí Birgis Andréssonar 1993 Nýlistasafnið Reykjavík 1994 Gallerí Sævars Karls Reykjavík 1995 Ásmundarsalur Reykjavík 2001 Gallerí Sævars Karls Reykjavík 2004 Við Tjörnina (Menningarnótt) 2005 Næsti Bar Reykjavík 2006 Nýlistasafnið Reykjavík (heiðursgestur á Sequence) 2007 Næsti Bar – “19. nóvember 1976” 2008 Leikmynd í Jólaperunni (Peran Leikfélag) 2009 Næsti Bar – Bubbi byggir Reykjavík 2014 Gallerí 46 Reykjavík 2017 Ófeigur Gallerí Reykjavík

CO-EXHIBITIONS: 1976 Listahátíð í Reykjavík 1977 Gallerí Suðurgata 7 1977 Gallerí SÚM Reykjavík 1978 Gallerí SÚM Reykjavík 1980 Experimental Environmental Korpúlfsstaðir Reykjavík 1981 Nýlistasafnið Reykjavík 1981 Performansavika Nýlistasafnið Reykjavík 1981 Sara Hilden Fundation Helsinki Finnland 1981 Lisboa gallerie Lisbon Portúgal 1981 Flugfélag Íslands 1982 World Mail Mail Exhibition Aorta Amsterdam 1983 Nýlistasafnið Reykjavík 1983 Gullströndin Andar Reykjavík 1983 7 í Norrænahúsinu Reykjavík 1983 Hagsmunafélag Myndlistamanna Kjarvalsstöðum Reykjavík 1983 Yfir hádegisbauginn Fodor Museum Amsterdam 1984 Nýlistasafnið Reykjavík 1984 Kærleiksdýrið Malmö Kunsthall Malmö Svíþjóð 1984 Listasafn Íslands 100 ára 1984 Nýlistasafnið Reykjavík 1984 Gallerí Rekagranda Reykjavík 1984 Bókasafnið Ísafirði 1988 11, Encontro national De Intvergáo E. Performance Portúgal 1988 Undir Pilsfaldinum Reykjavík 1989 Inferno Nýlistasafninu Reykjavík 1989 Projekthópurinn Nýlistasafninu, gestur 1989 Gallerí Van Gelder Amsterdam 1990 Laugavegur 22 1992 MÍR salurinn, performance 1992 Loftárás á Seyðisfjörð, performance 1993 16 dagar á Nýlistasafninu Reykjavík 1997 On in Iceland (Listahátíð Reykjavík)1998 Flögð og fögur skinn Listahátíð Reykjavík 1998 Flögð og fögur skinn Listahátíð Reykjavík 1999 Gallerí Suðurgata 7 Nýlistasafnið Reykjavík 2001 Gullströndin Andar Nýlistasafnið Reykjavík 2001 Performansavika Nýlistasafnið Reykjavík 2004 Fluxus Listasafn Íslands 2004 Safn – Laugavegi 37 Reykjavík 2006 Nýlistasafnið Reykjavík 2006 Gallerí Sævars Karls Reykjavík 2006 Listasafn Íslands – Málverkið eftir 1980 2007 Listasafn Íslands – Ó-náttúra 2010 Nýlistasafnið Reykjavík 2015 Elísabeten Kirche Basel 2017 Rolling Snowball Djúpivogur 2017 Hartbringer

WORKS FOR ASSOCIATIONS, NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES, INSTRUCTION SUPERVISORS etc Ritstörf: Greinaskrif og gagnrýni fyrir Þjóðviljann. Skrif um myndlist í tímarit og viðtöl. PUBLISHING; Brunnurinn, Svart á Hvítu, Kím o.fl. Rekstur og Gallerísstarfsemi: 1978 Stofnfélagi í Gallerí Suðurgata 1979 Gallerí Taska 1979-1983 Nýlistasafnið 1980-1983 Rekstur gallerís Nýlistasafnsins, sýningahald, kynningar, leiðsögn, útgáfa og fyrirlestrar. 1983 Gullströnd Andar GUEST PROFESSOR: 1980-1983 Deildakennari Nýlistadeildar MHÍ 1980-1992 Námskeið í MHÍ, með hléum. 1980-1983 Skólastjórn MHÍ 2011 Listaskóli Ísland.

Co-partners companies for the History- and Art exhibition at Headquarters of UNESCO in Paris / THE EQUATOR MEMORIAL PROJECT

PRODUCTION COMPANY; 40,074KM EHF / partner leader / Iceland is a private limited company founded by Jóhann Sigmarsson in August 2013 for designing, building furniture & creating art works, producing concerts, exhibitions & all kinds of events in art section and in filmmaking. It was given the name 40,074KM, which is the length of the Equator. The company is responsible for The Equator Memorial Project, International, itinerant Artists project. It has been developing the art project and preparing its platform. It is responsible for collecting the historical material / ruins together in cooperation with its governments and institutions, furthermore the company is finding the international companies, co-partners to participate in the art project. The intention is to expand the international group of the artists and the team that are now available who travel between countries, building functional objects, creating artworks and sculptures from historical monuments. It will be established in cooperation with other artists and businesses, in the countries were the materials derive. When the project is completed it will be exhibited on a specific heritage site or at galleries or museums suitable for the project. 40,074KM EHF will design and organise the set up all of the exhibitions and is directory of curatorial and will be authoritative for work with the international artists on the creation of the art pieces and directors and curators from the museums / galleries which are cooperating with the art project. They will interpret the artworks, select them and be responsible for writing labels, catalog essays and other supporting content for the exhibitions in cooperation with the curatorial team, provide art historians, historians, writers, translators and create professional publication / communication to the public and media such as various of articles, interviews, preface of the book of collection, for seminar and opening speeches, academic, journalistic writing which can be distributed in newspapers, magazines, TV, official site and all kinds of web media.
Official website; http://www.40074km.is / Official website; http://www.theequatormemorialproject.org

UAB / STUDIJA VILNIUS / co-partner is in charge for the Lithuanian in collaboration with the team of The Equator Memorial Project. The company will be in control of the art studio in Vilnius as well as being responsible for deliver assistance and services to the artists, art pieces and its exhibitions. The company will as well provide and organise companies, art framers and professionals to work all glass material and design, create and build all the art frames of the functional objects and the installations which the artists create for the exhibitions. The frames will partly be worked from the material of the historical ruins in collaboration with the artists. The company will as well be in charge of printing all the material, such as; brochures, flyers, postcards, posters, art prints & book of collection as well as create the design for all material, such as brochures, flyers, posters, art prints & book of collection.
Official website; http://studiovilnius.lt