2018 Arts Festival Extra

2018: Reykjavik Arts Festival Extra!

Reykjavík Arts Festival is here once more to take over the city with openings, exhibitions, music, and all flavours of interdisciplinary performance. Are you ready?

GET YOUR MIND BLOWN Inside:

Explore the city with Reykjavík GPS Borko’s music for lovers The Wind & Weather Gallery goes mobile Full schedule, festival picks & more

, ReykjavIk Sunshine So, it's been a rainy and cold spring. But fear not—Reykjavík Arts Festival opens on the 1st of June to bring some long-awaited sunshine to all. If not literally, well then at least to our hearts.

There’ll be large events on an international scale, a rich and exciting family programme, and events involving public participation. A selection of non-ticketed events in public spaces is also one of the distinguishing features of this year’s Reykjavík Arts Festival programme.

The atmospheric festival hub, based at the downtown branch of the Reykjavík Arts Museum, will be buzzing all-day-every-day with a wide selection of free events, and food and drink at affordable prices.

Whoever you are and wherever you come from, I welcome you to Reykjavík Arts Festival 2018!

Vigdís Jakobsdóttir Artistic director of Reykjavík Arts Festival

The Reykjavík Arts Festival: Grapevine's Picks

Demoncrazy Austurvöllur - June 1-15th - Free!

The central Reykjavík square of Austurvöllur, situated right outside of Iceland's parliament, has been the site of many protests over the years—not least, the iconic outpouring of dissatisfaction that followed the release of the Panama Papers.

At the Reykjavík Arts Festival, another striking form of resistance will take place in the form of Borghildur Indriðadóttir's photos, in which topless young women stand defiantly amongst dusty paintings of besuited men. After the gender wage gap protests of recent years, and the #MeToo movement, it's a simple but effective idea that communicates the city's feminist zeitgeist. JR

Iceland Symphony Orchestra: Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony Harpa - June 1st 19:30 - 2,500 to 7,500 ISK Gustav Mahler was one of those people—like Trump, or Cher—who preferred things BIG. This ambitious drive for tonal apotheosis created some of the most ambitious, inimitably idiosyncratic, and existential orchestral pieces of all time.

Nothing is more representative of this than his ‘Resurrection Symphony.’ If you’re into existential ennui and that moment in ‘Se7en’ when Brad Pitt asks “WHAT’S IN THE BOX?”, then this is the tune for you. While the title sounds religious, Mahler was kind of a spiritually confused guy, and the symphony dives more into the sheer unadulterated pants-wetting terror of it all. Relatable content, right? HJC

Daniel Lismore - “Be Yourself, Everyone Else Is Already Taken” Harpa - June 2nd-17th 12:30-16:30 - 1,500 ISK If you live in Reykjavík and have any connection to the arts scene, you may have first heard of Daniel Lismore when he added you on Facebook and Instagram recently as part of his pre-exhibition promo effort. But if you’re interested in queer culture, club kids, the international art scene or high fashion, you probably followed him long ago. Lismore creates autobiographical sculptures that chart his dramatic, extravagant “looks,” layered and collaged using everything from broken jewellery to fine fabrics and found objects, and from high street clothing to haute couture. The resulting exhibition is hypnotic, comprising a collection of sculptures clothed in wildly creative ensembles that express a unique and inspiring vision. JR

DJ Dominatricks Hafnarhúsið - June 2nd - 21:00 - Free!

Of all the young DJs on the Reykjavík scene, the audio-visual duo DJ Dominatricks are far and away the most ambitious.

Melkorka Þorkelsdóttir and Arna Beth mix together a colourful, glitching digital backdrop that looks like the internet’s subconscious puking VR dreams and nightmares onto the screen; the accompanying music is a dizzying mash of fresh, creative electronica gleaned from all over the genre spectrum. Check them out at the festival’s opening party at the Reykjavík Art Museum’s downtown Hafnarhúsið building. You won’t be disappointed. JR

Robert Wilson / Det Norske Teatret - “EDDA” Reykjavík City Theatre - June 8th & 9th 20:00 - 7,500 ISK The worldwide famous avant-garde/ experimental theatre director Robert Wilson is bringing his newest production, “EDDA,” to Iceland. The Eddas are two of the main literary works of Icelandic language Norse mythology.

Wilson is known for his original use of language, movement and lighting, and it’s fair to say that this will be unlike anything Icelandic theatre has ever seen. You can expect spectacular costumes and scenography from the play that won the Norwegian Hedda Prize for the theatrical event of the year in 2017. Dive deeply into Iceland’s and the Nordic countries’ heritage with this magical event, which is part of a special programme celebrating the 2018 centennial of Icelandic sovereignty.

PW

It’s A Block Party And You’re Invited!

Asparfell 8 - June 9th - 16:00 - Free!

Want to score some bonus cool points as a tourist and be able to say that you've been to an *actual* Icelandic party in Iceland?? Here is your ultimate opportunity to improve your reputation. The block party will be hosted by the residents of Asparfell 2-12 in the Reykjavík neighbourhood of Breiðholt. The residents will be graciously opening up their apartments to allow tourists and Reykjavík residents alike to experience an Icelandic dance party.

Guests are invited to wander from apartment to apartment and meet the inhabitants who come from all walks of life. In some apartments, you will find loud music and large groups of people, while at others you will find a calmer environment with fewer people. You can take Strætó (#12, #17) to get there. Limited availability. JIW

Bill Murray & The Cello Guy Harpa - June 14th 20:00 - 6,900-12,900 ISK There are a lot of things people think about when they hear the name of largerthan-life Hollywood star Bill Murray, but a cello concert isn’t one of them.

The world famous actor has charmed generations with his subtle, eccentric humour, both in his movies, and in real life; his performances for Wes Anderson have practically made him a living legend.

So it’s incredibly thrilling for classical nerds that he met the unrivalled cello player Jan Vogler in an airplane a few years ago, and hit it off­—classical style.

Iceland is one of few countries in the world where Vogler and Murray will be performing together. Violinist Mira Wang and pianist Vanessa Perez will also perform—both of them are outstanding. So, eccentric humour and world class classical music the same night; who you gonna call? VG

“Björn composed the music with Bára performing her dance movements right in front of him.”

Music For Lovers Borko celebrates the release of “The Lover - Music For Dance” Words: Phil Uwe Widiger Borko, aka Björn Kristjánsson, is a compelling character.

With his impressive, well-groomed beard and his intelligent eyes behind old-school glasses, he seems like a person that lives in a cabin far out in the wilderness. A resident of Reykjavík, he instead goes wild in his music, whether playing percussion with party-band FM Belfast, or keyboard and guitar with Skakkamanage—or with his very own indie-pop solo project Borko.

Or, you know... composing music for a theatre dance piece at the Reykjavík Arts Festival.

12 years of waiting Borko’s newest release is the soundtrack for Bára Sigfúsdóttir’s dance piece “The Lover”, which revolves around the relationship between humans and nature. The two artists met for the first time around 12 years ago when Björn was asked to write music for a project by the first contemporary dance class at the Iceland Arts Academy, which Bára was a part of.

“In 2014, eight years later, Bára called me from Belgium and said that she had been waiting for a chance to get me on another project,” Björn remembers. “Now was the time.

And that was ‘The Lover.’”

Durational fun It was only when they met up at Bára’s art residency in Brussels that the project picked up momentum. “The first day we just sat there and talked for hours,” Björn says.

“Then, the morning after, we started working and... it just

happened.” Björn composed the music on his computer there and then, with Bára performing her dance movements right in front of him.

Four pieces were born, clocking in at 50 minutes of music. The sound is best described as slowly evolving, atmospheric and minimal; there’s no underlying pulse or beat, which gives the music space for movement. “You have to take time and get into the music to enjoy it,” says Björn. “You have to focus on it. You can also wander off with your mind and come back to it again, and then it's not the same as it was before.”

Not a cocktail party The creative duo also recorded vocal samples in the hallway of an old abbey which Björn consequently manipulated and put into the compositions. “It has electronic elements, some strings, some vocal samples,” Björn says.

“It's minimal in the way that it's very repetitive and it always changes really, really slowly. If you listen for a minute it maybe doesn't change at all but when you are six minutes into it, you all of a sudden notice that the texture has evolved from what you’d gotten used to.”

The listening party will be held on June 4th at the Reykjavík Arts Festival Hub and will be mainly focused on the music. The album “The Lover - Music For Dance” will be released the same day, with a limited physical release made available for collectors. “Maybe we’ll turn off the lights and let people sit in the darkness and just listen,” Björn finishes, smiling. “It's not a cocktail party, it's a listening party. I want to have it like that.”

Photo: Art Bicnick

Join the listening party at the Reykjavík Arts Festival Hub on June 4th at 9pm. See the accompanying dance piece at Tjarnarbíó on the 7th and 8th of June.

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PHOTO EXHIBITION AND PERFORMANCE BY BORGHILDUR INDRIÐADÓTTIR

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FESTIVAL PROGRAMME ICELAND’S LEADING ARTS FESTIVAL MORE INFO:

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ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION OF SCULPTURES IN PUBLIC SPACES BY REYKJAVIK ASSOCIATION OF SCULPTORS. MAP AVAILABLE AT FESTIVAL HUB.

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MAHLER NR. 2

13:00 & 15:00 REYKJAVIK CITY THEATRE

MAHLER‘S RESURRECTION SYMPHONY

BY ICELAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

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VISUAL ARTS

OPENING: JUNE 2ND 18:00

OPENING: JUNE 2ND 12:00 KJARVALSSTAÐIR & JUNE 2ND 15:00 HAFNARHÚS.

“BE YOURSELF, EVERYONE ELSE IS ALREADY TAKEN” 12:30 – 16:30 HARPA CONCERT HALL

NO MAN‘S LAND: WHERE BEAUTY ALONE REIGNS?

PRICE 1.500 ISK

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20:00 HARPA CONCERT HALL

PEPPERMINT

JUNE 15TH 20:00 HAMRAR, ÍSAFJÖRÐUR

TREE TO TONE

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A SITE-SPECIFIC MUSICAL COMPOSITION IN THE CITY CENTRE BY ÚLFUR ELDJÁRN AND HALLDÓR ELDJÁRN.

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OPENING: JUNE 3RD 14:00

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MUSIC OUTDOORS

THREE PERFORMANCE ARTISTS TAKE OVER THE SPACES OF KLING & BANG.

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SIGGI STRING QUARTET PERFORMS ICELANDIC MUSIC ON INSTRUMENTS

BY JÓN MARINÓ JÓNSSON.

MARSHALL HOUSE WED-SUN 12:00-18:00 THU 12:00 – 21:00

FESTIVAL HUB

BLU BEF

JUNE 3RD 20:00 FRÍKIRKJAN, FRÍKIRKJUVEGUR 5.

PERFORMANCES: JUNE 2ND 17:00, JUNE 9TH 16:00, JUNE 16TH 16:00

POWERFUL ALL FEMALE MARIACHI BAND FROM NEW YORK.

THEATRE WR

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VISUAL ARTS PERFORMANCE ART

The Hub will offer a vibrant and diverse programme from morning till night throughout the festival. It‘s a place for people to come together, a venue for informal talks and discussions, hanging out and meeting up, before and after events. Free admission to all events in the Festival Hub. The hub is located at Reykjavik Art Museum - Hafnarhus.

MUSIC INSTRUMENT MAKING

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PRICE 4.900 ISK

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FLOR DE TOLOACHE

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FREE P JUNE 7

PRICE 3.500 ISK

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A DOUBLE EXHIBITION OF ICELANDIC ART IN TWO MUSEUMS

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KJARVALSSTAÐIR 10:00-17:00 HAFNARHÚS 10:00 – 22:00

AN EXHIBITION OF DANIEL LISMORE’S ELABORATE AND EXTRAVAGANT ENSEMBLES.

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DESIGN VISUAL ARTS

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AN EXHIBITION OF WORK BY PROMINENT ARTISTS FROM ICELAND, LOCATED IN WINDOWS AROUND THE CITY CENTRE. MAP AVAILABLE AT FESTIVAL HUB.

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IN VARIOUS WINDOWS IN THE CITY CENTRE.

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JOURNEY TO HOME

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VISUAL ARTS OUTDOORS PERFORMANCE ART FREE

PRICE 2.900 ISK

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A DANCE PERFORMANCE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY BY ICELAND DANCE COMPANY.

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LOCO AND KICKS: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

PRICE 2.500 – 7.500 ISK

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GIANT BEASTS FROM PREHISTORIC TIMES ROAM THE STREETS OF REYKJAVIK.

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19:30 HARPA , ELDBORG

THE WHEEL – GONE WITH THE WIND FREE

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OPENING: JUNE 3RD 12:00

JUNE 2 - 11:00: EGILSHÖLL, GRAFARVOGUR FREE

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JUNE 2 - 14:00: REYKJAVIK CITY CENTRE – STARTS FROM IDNO BY THE POND.

PERFORMANCE: JUNE 3RD 18:00

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THEATRE FAMILY-FRIENDLY OUTDOORS PERFORMANCE ART PHOTOGRAPHY OUTDOORS

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FREE

THU-SUN 14:00-17:00 VÖLVUFELL 13

PHOTOGRAPHERS’S SPESSI’S PORTRAITS FROM POSTCODE 111 IN REYKJAVIK.

GAELYNN LEA 20:00 TJARNARBÍÓ

PRICE 2.500 - 3.900 ISK

CONCERT BY THE WINNER OF NPR MUSIC’S TINY DESK CONTEST. AN UNFORGETTABLE VOICE.

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EXAM BOOK NATIO ICELA

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SCULPTURE OUTDOORS

THE GREAT GATHERING

ING: JUNE 4TH 17:00

REET VIEW EASSEMBLED)

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DANCE THEATRE FAMILY-FRIENDLY OUTDOORS

PUBLIC CONCERT AT THE FESTIVAL HUB: 7TH 12:15

TRANSHUMANCE 12:00 & 15:00 BRYNJÓLFSGATA 1

AN IMMERSIVE PERFORMANCE FROM JÓNÍ JÓNSDÓTTIR, STEINUNN KETILSDÓTTIR & SVEINBJÖRG ÞÓRHALLSDÓTTIR

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PRICE 1.500 ISK

A FUN NON-VERBAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.

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CINEMATIC MUSIC UNDERWATER FREE

14:00 ÖLDUSEL 17

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HE LOVER

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19:30 HARPA CONCERT HALL

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KING VISUAL DANCE PERFORMANCE ÁRA SIGFÚSDÓTTIR

WRITING

NG: JUNE 7TH 15:30

RTISTS’ BOOKS

URE HOUSE – PRICE 2.000 ISK

MPLES OF ICELANDIC ARTISTS’ KS FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE ONAL AND UNIVERSITY LIBRARY OF AND.

PRICE 4.900 - 11.900 ISK

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A CITY-WIDE PERFORMANCE, INVOLVING ALMOST 200 RESIDENTS OF REYKJAVIK.

A UNIQUE AND ENTERTAINING EVENING WITH HOLLYWOOD ACTOR BILL MURRAY AND THREE CLASSICAL MUSICIANS.

DANCE MUSIC

PRICE 2.500 ISK

TEXT AND MUSIC INTERWEAVE, WITH MUSIC TURNING INTO TEXT, TEXT INTO MUSIC IN THIS CONCERT / AUDIO THEATRE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.

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DANCE PARTICIPATORY FAMILY-FRIENDLY

PRICE 6.900 – 12.900 ISK

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HJÁLMURINN 16:00 TJARNARBÍÓ

20:00 HARPA CONCERT HALL

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MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST, COMPOSER AND ARTIST ABRAHAM BRODY EXPLORES THE COMPLEX IDENTIDY OF A CONTEMPORARY ARTIST LIVING IN A GLOBALISED WORLD.

NEW WORLDS

13:00 - 18:00 CITY CENTRE

MUSIC THEATRE WRITING FAMILY-FRIENDLY

AWARD WINNING OPERA BY DANIEL BJARNASON PERFORMED BY THE ICELANDIC OPERA IN COLLABORATION WITH ICELAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

PRICE 3.500 ISK

FREE

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OPERA MUSIC

20:00 FESTIVAL HUB

MUSIC WRITING PERFORMANCE

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FREE

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FLOAT AROUND IN A SWIMMING POOL AND ENJOY AN UNDERWATER CONCERT.

DIO DRAMA BROADCAST IN A NTAIN YURT IN SELECTED SPOTS IN CELANDIC HIGHLANDS.

CROSSINGS

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3.500 ISK

MUSIC STORYTELLING

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FAMILY-FRIENDLY

UEBELLS FORE BED

THREE PLAYWRIGHTS TAKE THE AUDIENCE ON AN EXCITING JOURNEY THROUGH ONE OF THE CITY’S MOST REMARKABLE AREAS; BLESUGROF.

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MUSIC OUTDOORS FAMILY-FRIENDLY

RITING OUTDOORS

PRICE 2.000 ISK

PRICE 2.900 ISK

ÁSMUNDARSALUR JUNE 8TH 18:00-20:00 JUNE 9TH 16:00-18:00 & 20:00-22:00

A CONCERT SERIES BY LAUFEY IGURÐARDÓTTIR (VIOLIN) AND LÍSABET WAAGE (HARP) IN RETIREMENT HOMES AND HOSPITALS.

18:00, 18:15, 18:30 LOCATION REVEALED UPON TICKET PURCHASE

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DANCE VISUAL ARTS PERFORMANCE ART

BLESUGRÓF

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FREE

A CREATIVE TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND DESIGNED BY CHILDREN FOR CHILDREN.

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FOOD FOR THE SOUL

FREE

10:00-18:00 REYKJAVIK CITY HALL

DANCE PERFORMANCE FROM ICELAND DANCE COMPANY WITH A LARGE GROUP OF ADULTS AND CHILDREN.

IC HOUSE

ALLATION BY FINNISH ARTIST ANSSI KINEN BY THE NORDIC HOUSE, SISTING OF RUINS FROM SYRIAN ES.

BLANKET CITY

FREE

17:00 EIÐISTORG

FREE

PERFORMANCE WRITING OUTDOORS

VARIATIONS OF DARKNESS 20:00 REYKJAVIK ART MUSEUM

PRICE 3.500 ISK

NEARING SUMMER SOLSTICE, WHEN THE DAY IS THE LONGEST, ICELAND DANCE COMPANY PREMIERES VARIATIONS OF DARKNESS TO MUSIC BY SIGUR ROS.

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ASPARFELL

FREE

16:00 ASPARFELL 8

THE RESIDENTS OF ASPARFELL INVITE FESTIVALGOERS TO JOIN THEM FOR A DANCE PARTY. LIMITED AVAILABILITY. SIGN UP AT SKRANING@ARTFEST.IS

VÖKURÓ 20:00 GAMLA BÍÓ

THEATRE MUSIC VISUAL ART DESIGN

PRICE 3.900 ISK

SOME OF ICELAND’S TOP POP/INDIE MUSICIANS GIVE US A FRESH TAKE ON JÓRUNN VIDAR’S SONGS.

EDDA 20:00 REYKJAVIK CITY THEATRE

PRICE 7.500 ISK

ROBERT WILSON’S PRODUCTIONS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR SPECTACLE AND TECHNICAL PRECISION. IT CAN SAFELY BE STATED THAT THIS PRODUCTION IS UNLIKE ANYTHING THAT HAS EVER BEEN SEEN ON AN ICELANDIC STAGE.

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DragsUgur.

A Gust Of Air, Or A Mobile Gallery?

A spiritual journey to home by local artists in various Reykjavík windows.

“ There is a connection between the physical and the spiritual. ” Words: Alexander Jean de Fontenay The Wind and Weather Window Gallery (WWWG) is an unconventional gallery located in the front window of the 105-year-old house at Hverfisgata 37.

It’s not a gallery that you go inside, and you’re thus exposed to the elements as you observe the mixed media art installations, which change every one or two months, through the glass.

The project is run by artist and curator Kathy Clark, who has been living and working in Reykjavík since 2005. The gallery’s latest project— “Journey To Home”—was co-curated with American exhibition maker, tour manager and art agent Annabelle von Girsewald. Von Girsewald is no stranger to Icelandic art, having co-produced Hreinn Friðfinnsson’s latest addition to his “House Project,” and is also curating a group exhibition titled “Earth Homing: Reinventing Turf Houses,” which will open in Seltjarnarnes later this summer.

Another window, another level “Journey to Home” is a window art exhibition and walking tour held in conjunction with the 31st Reykjavík Arts Festival, opening on June 3rd and ending on June 22nd. “The theme is

‘Journey to Home’ and the artists are presenting their interpretations of that in their window installations,” says Kathy. In addition to the original location on Hverfisgata, nine window galleries can be found in commercial and residential windows around the downtown Reykjavík area, with work by a plethora of interesting artists.

Kathy wanted to take the concept of WWWG to another level, so she also came up with the idea for Dragsúgur (the Icelandic name for the wind that comes in from a window). This mobile window gallery is an exact replica of the one at Hverfisgata 37. Thus, the WWWG can now have multiple locations, each hosting different performances and activities.

“I’ve always liked the notion of things being personified and having a life of their own—their own character and spirit,” says Kathy. “There is a connection between the physical and the spiritual. Dragsúgur is the spirit that has been embodying Hverfisgata 37 for over a hundred years. Now he gets to experience the human world and all the interactions that come with it.”

Espresso and night

Dragsúgur will first be parked in front of WWWG at Hverfisgata 37 (May 26th to June 2nd) and Austurvöllur (June 3rd to June 8th) where “The Espresso Bar” will take place. Egill Sæbjörnsson and Ívar Glói will offer espressos at the excellent price of 100 ISK. The mobile gallery will then move up to Hallgrímskirkja (June 10th to June 14th) and finally Bernshöftstorfan (June 14th to June 20th), where Styrmir Örn Guðmundsson and Agata Mickiewicz will take over with their installation “The Night Station.”

Three artists will make scheduled performances in connection to “Journey to Home”. The text-based performer Erin Honeycutt will perform as “The Chronicler,” documenting Dragsúgur’s experiences on his journey through downtown Reykjavík, and accumulating the findings into a performance entitled “Windows Open” at Bernhöftstorfan on June 15th.

pected scenario in his performance “Close Encounters” on June 16th.

Emilija Škarnulytė will test the boundaries between documentary and fiction and between ecological and cosmic forces in her performance “Cloud Chamber.”

Free guided walking tours of the various window installations in “Journey to Home” are scheduled on June 3rd at 4PM, June 9th, 10th, 14th and 15th at 1PM and June 16th and 17th at 2PM. They run for approximately one hour, and start at the Festival Hub, where a map of the installations is also available.

Observe and compile “The Chronicler will be in the background, recording and perhaps overhearing people’s conversations,” says Kathy. “He’ll observe and compile interactions that Dragsúgur will have with people and the artists involved.”

Arnar Ásgeirsson will invite people and objects to become part of an unex-

For a schedule, a map of the installations and info on participating artists, their installations and performances, head to listahatid.is/aboutjourney-to-home

Your Own Personal Soundtrack Reykjavík GPS enables the listener to change the composition through the path they take Words: Phil Uwe Widiger It’s one of the first bright days of the summer in Iceland when I meet composer and musician Úlfur Eldjárn at Kaffi Vest. He orders two espressos, one for him, and one for his brother Halldór. “One time, when Halldór was late, the waiter asked me whether everything was alright with my coffee,” he tells me. “He thought I had taken a sip and didn’t like it.” Shortly after, Halldór arrives to complete the dynamic, original and creative duo. Their newest collaboration is set to revolutionise the way you listen to music—and how you experience Reykjavík as a city.

The composer and the programmer The two brothers both have a diverse background in music. Úlfur, who grew up in a scene that revolved around jazz and avant-garde, recently returned to school to study composition. “A lot of the ideas that I am working on now come from this period,” he says.

Halldór benefited greatly from his brother’s instruments and recording gear being available to him during his childhood. While his band Sykur is the red thread through his musical career, he has been busy with numerous side projects along the way.

“I’ve been working with Ólafur Arnalds for the past two years,” he

says. Halldór studied computer science and tries to simplify the matter for me.

“The shortest version is that the software enables Ólafur Arnalds to play three pianos at once.”

Right. Who would have expected anything less?

A new corner, a new sound Úlfur and Halldór are now finishing the last touches on their newest collaboration, called “Reykjavík GPS,” which is set to premiere during the Reykjavík Arts Festival on June 4th. People will be able to download an app on their smartphone, put on their headphones, and experience Reykjavík’s traditional centre in a personal way. Depending on which turns they take, they will change the soundtrack of their walk. Úlfur’s task was to compose the music. “It’s like writing many versions of the same track,” he says. “It’s going to be kind of a puzzle where you can take a sound clip and match it with many others. Then we’re mapping them onto the area in Reykjavík so that when you walk in a certain street you’ll hear a certain sound clip; maybe a piano playing. When you walk past the next corner, something else will start to happen in the music.”

The area will roughly cover Reykja-

vík’s old city centre, from Hljómskálagarður, up to Hallgrímskirkja, and down to the seaside.

Connecting music and location Halldór’s task was to make sure the technical side of the project was working. “When I was doing the very first test, I just created the soundtrack for my street,” he remembers. “I immediately started to connect the locations with the sounds.” Úlfur agrees. “It’s not just a musical piece, it’s an art piece, too. It changes the way you experience what you see.”

Bringing interactivity to music “It’s weird that we have all this technology, but we’re still relying on a very conservative way of listening,” finishes Úlfur. “In an era where we have video games, massive interaction in social media and all kinds of immersive experiences, I think it’s obvious that there needs to be more musical experiments in that field—because music is perfect for this.”

Take a walk with Reykjavík GPS at this year’s Arts Festival, and hear the duo’s inventive ideas bring the city to life around you in a whole new way.

“Depending on which turns you take, you will change the soundtrack of your walk.”

Reykjavík GPS premieres at noon on June 4th at Hallgrímskirkja. Try it here: rvkgps.com

17 - 1501 — HVÍTA HÚSIÐ / SÍA

E A R LY B I R D C AT C H E S After her time in Iceland, Naomi arrives early at the airport so she can enjoy her last hours there before continuing her journey.

MORE TIME FOR SHOPPING To remember her time in Iceland, she brings back home unique souvenirs that she bought at the airport.

GIVE YOURSELF MORE TIME TO SHOP

W W W. K E F A I R P O R T . I S

Arrive early at Keflavík Airport and we will greet you with open arms.

Check in up to 2 ½ hours before your flight so you can have a lovely last Icelandic experience. We offer unlimited free Wi-Fi, many charging stations and a range of shops and restaurants so you can embrace the last drops of Icelandic taste and feel — and of course Tax and Duty Free.