‘It’s beautiful and sad to be a human being’: Ragnar Kjartansson brings ‘the best artwork of the 21st century’ to Australia

TL;DR

Ragnar Kjartansson's exhibition 'Mercy' is his first major solo show in Australia, held at the National Gallery of Victoria.
The exhibition includes eight of Kjartansson's video works, notably 'Me and My Mother,' which documents him and his mother restaging a piece every five years.
His nine-screen video installation 'The Visitors' is considered by The Guardian as the best artwork of the 21st century and has developed a significant cult following.
Kjartansson's work often explores the duality of human existence, blending beauty and sadness, sincerity and irony, as taught by his father.
Music serves as a central emotional element in many of his pieces, creating shared, hypnotic experiences for viewers.
The artist draws inspiration from various sources including music, painting, film, theater, and current events, reflecting both optimism and a sense of malaise.
His work often references global politics and a sense of 'nothingness and beauty,' with titles like 'Mercy' hinting at grace, violence, and religious undertones.

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