Solfar - Sun Voyager

Sólfar ( e. Sun Voyager ) – Viking ship
The sculpture Sólfar (e. Sun Voyager) by the artist Jón Gunnar Árnason (1931-1989), is a massive steel creation made to resemble a Viking ship. It is situated at the waterfront north of Reykjavik’s City Center and to the east of the old harbor.

Standing by this sculpture during sunset, at any time of the year, is an unforgettable moment. It is probably the most photographed sculpture in Reykjavik. For more photos of this sculpture see:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/solfar/

Viking ship is a collective term for ships used during the Viking Age (800-1100) in Northern Europe. The ships are normally divided into classes based on size and function.

• Knarr - Large vessels used for transport purposes
• Karv - Smaller vessels mainly for coastal sailing
• Longship - Large vessels generally used for military purposes


Viking ships where very well designed (even to modern standards), fast and seaworthy ships which opened up the possibilities for the Vikings to travel far away from Scandinavia, all the way down to North Africa in the south, to Russia and the Black Sea in east, and heading to the west to explore, discover and colonize Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland and Vinland, (now known as North America) 5 centuries before Columbus “(re)discovered” America.

The Vikings were not just warriors who raided their neighbor countries, but they were also skilled trader and the Viking ships transported valuable goods throughout Europe and even to the Middle East.

For more information on the Vikings, their ships and the discovery of North America

http://www.mnh.si.edu/vikings
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikings
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longship
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leif_Ericson
http://www.vikingship.org
http://www.maritimewood.com/building-a-viking-ship-01.html


The sculptor Jón Gunnar Árnason (1931 – 1989)
Born in Reykjavík.
Studied at the Icelandic College of Art and Crafts in Reykjavík in 1945-46.
Graduated as a mechanician from the Reykjavík Technical College 1952.
Studied at the Hornsey College of fine Art in London 1965-67.


http://icelandicartists.blogspot.com/2005/10/jn-gunnar-rnason.html

List of art exhibitions:
http://english.umm.is/UMMenglish/Artists/Abouttheartist/447

Atlantic Ocean / Iceland

Lat: 64° 8' 51.32" N
Long: 22° 56' 21.32" W

→ maps.google.com [EXT]

Precision is: High. Pinpoints the exact spot.

Camera: Canon 10D, Lens: Sigma 12-24 mm 1:4.5-5.6 DG HSM, Tripod-Head: Manfrotto, Picture taken in RAW, Software: DXO 3.5 Standard, RealViz Sticher Unlimited, PhotoShop CS.

Settings: Focal length: 12 mm, Shutter Speed: 1/0 S, f/13.0, ISO : 200