The Arctic Circus │Gudmund Sand & Haakon Sand

Reykjavík Museum of Photography

The Arctic Circus is a collaborative photo essay about a group of people who make a living by bringing joy to others, with a desire to build a cultural understanding of the circus as an art form. The photographers gained access to a tightly knit society of friends trying to modernise and transform the traditional circus's perception.

The images have a documentary approach. Capturing the everyday life of the artist and the essence of circus life in Iceland. Even though it may look like an ordinary circus, the group of artists has a strong connection to the performing arts and are in no way an example of a traditional circus. In history, circuses have been seen as something “different” and “exotic”, and still are. These artists are an example of a new generation of young and emerging talents within performing art, relying on their unique way of telling a story, wrapped in the same magnificent experience but in a modern way.

The artists do everything themselves. They set up the tent, stand in the doorway, sell tickets and hold performances. The circus depends on a strong unity in the group, a unity that reflects on the Icelandic way of life. Where everyone works towards a common goal; to put on the best show every time.

The cousins Gudmund and Haakon Sand started Sandbox in 2016. Sandbox is a production company based in Oslo, Norway. Sandbox works with documentaries and personal projects within film and photography. Since the start, many of their documentaries have been screened at various festivals all over the world, as well as winning awards.



The Arc­tic Cir­cus │Gud­mund Sand & Haakon Sand

For one and a half year, photographers Haakon Sand and Gudmund Sand followed the everyday life of 'Sirkus Íslands'.

The Arctic Circus │Gudmund Sand & Haakon Sand