For Boys and Girls -- Skerpla at 2025 Dark Music Days

Fall semester 2024, members of Skerpla, under the guidance of Berglind María Tómasdóttir, a professor at the Music Department of the Iceland University of the Arts, delved into the careers and art of several members of the so-called SÚM group, which operated in Iceland from 1965 to 1972. The SÚM group consisted of visual artists who did not necessarily share the same vision for their art but were united in their desire to expand the boundaries of art and venture into new, uncharted territories. Despite the diverse approaches of its members, a common thread could be found in their vision of making the act of creation itself a daily occurrence, as natural a part of everyday life as anything else. The materials of their art could be derived from ideas, just like anything else, and there would be no need for the history of art to enjoy them.

The program featured works that Skerpla members worked on in the Fall semester of 2024, inspired by the students' exploration of the works of SÚM group members. Additionally, Atli Heimir Sveinsson's piece *For Boys and Girls* (1967), dedicated to the members of SÚM, will also be performed.

Founded in 2018, Skerpla is Iceland University of the Arts' Experimental Music Ensemble. Skerpla explores, creates and performs music in the expanded field. Skerpla is led by Berglind María Tómasdóttir, professor at Iceland University of the Arts and John McCowen part-time teacher at Iceland University of the Arts.