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#5
Plan your perfect day
On Lawyers and Ugly Wolves
SKE plans your perfect day in Reykjavík: peak inside for further details.
A brief, ironic discourse on Iceland’s first lawspeaker: Úlfjótur, and his stellar memory.
Ske.is 19.06 2015 - 25.06 2015
Your free copy Your guide to what’s going on in iceland
SKE speaks to the Genius: “You can expect a lot of energy at Secret Solstice: that classic Wu-Tang energy!” – GZA (Wu-Tang Clan)
Ske
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A “Perfect” Day – Pt. 5 There is no such thing as perfect. A thing cannot be perfect. But when a thing is sufficiently wonderful we may refer to it as perfect for the sake of emphasis – such a thing is customary. Yesterday, I experienced a day that was wonderful enough to incline me towards exaggeration, and I am confident that if any traveler were to follow in my footsteps, then they too would feel the same. It was, in all honesty, a perfect day.
11:00 - Gló – Natalie Portman Last Saturday, after a long week of decadence, I decided to turn over a new leaf. And so, determined to do better, I licked my greasy fingers and turned the page to Gló: a healthful restaurant located on Laugarvegur in downtown Reykjavík. I was there, not only for the food, which is fresh, healthful and delicious – but also because I had heard that Natalie Portman had been seen there a few days ago. Of course, I am no stalker. I have never, in my illustrious romantic career, suffered the embarrassment of a restraining order. I have never found myself, stealthily sliding a screen-door in Beverly Hills, trying to snatch the unmentionables of some dreamy Hollywood goddess – but I, as a life-long Star Wars fan – would not mind running into Princess Amidala on the streets of Reykjavík. But she did not show (why would she show? Why would she visit the same restaurant twice?) Instead I was joined by a small congregation of mildly attractive Icelanders, and ordered the classic spinach lasagna. It was excellent. After my meal I read the local magazines and felt proud of myself for going green (I am usually pitch black, food wise).
12:30 - Austurvöllur – People Watching After Gló, I walked down to the state liquor store on Austurstræti and purchased a six-pack of Icelandic white ale (produced by the Einstök brewery). I then planted myself on Austurvöllur public square and beheaded one of the bottles. In the case of rare sunshine, the Icelander is drawn to Austurvöllur. The Icelander is drawn to Austurvöllur in the same way that elephants are drawn to watering holes; in the same way that moths are drawn to … what was it again?; in the same way that professional football players are drawn to the pitch by any implication of physical contact (Christiano Ronaldo, mostly). Anyhow, we are drawn to Austurvöllur because it is the perfect place for people watching. If you are visiting Iceland and would like to observe the Icelanders in their most natural habitat, then go to Austurvöllur. You will see all kinds of Icelanders there: young and old; tall and short; skinny and fat; drunk and sobert; tanned and sunburnt. I am pleased to announce that I belong to the former category in each aforementioned dichotomy.
15:00 - Suit – Tipsy Shopping If one is to go shopping, then it is best to go when one is slightly tipsy. That way, one’s pestering conscience is momentarily put to sleep, and one need not worry about it getting in one’s way of spending money. And so, rising to my feet from Austurvöllur, I took off in the direction of Skólavörðustígur, towards the clothing store Suit. I made some small talk with the store manager and then browsed through his selections of shirts and jackets. Finally, the manager nudged me towards a fine, black bomber jacket. He urged me to try it on, which I did. And he marveled. He declared that the jacket and I had been created especially for each other; that our meeting was a matter of fashion destiny; and that it had been preordained by Egyptian priests in Alexandria that I should purchase the garment – that I should parade it around streets of Reykjavík like some ancient king; I am powerless against such potent flattery. The manager knew it. I handed over my wallet. He sucked funds from my credit card by away of the electronic payment device: Bastard. I walked out broke – but beautiful. I was off last week. I was a free man. I was emancipated from the slight slavery of the 9-5 routine by the Abraham Lincoln of accrued vacation time – which is to say that it was not a complete liberation. It was merely a 7-day walk outside the walls: a week-long recess from my boss (the warden); from my colleagues (my fellow inmates); and from the oppressive walls of my office (my cell) (how many Roman numerals must a man scratch on those walls before he retires?). I made the most of it. I spent my days bicycling through the streets of Reykjavík like a carefree mongoloid, smilling profusely and revelling in the glory of vacation. I lounged lazily in Iceland’s many hot pots; I drank beer on Austurvöllur; and I consistently neglected the nuisance of personal hygiene. If there is a Heaven then it is an eternity of such days – then it is an endless parade of such moments, in which one is always slightly intoxicated, foul-smelling and lazy … Anyhow, the point that I am trying to make here, dear tourist, is this: you too have been momentarily liberated from the servitude of work (that is, if you aren’t unemployed or retired) – and I encourage you to make the most of it. Leaf through the pages of our humble magazine and make an oath to attend all of its advertized events. Attend the Secret Solstice Festival and toss up an irreverent middle finger with the Wu-Tang Clan; participate in the Icerave underneath the Langjökull glacier and hurl some glowsticks at an unsuspecting bartender; observe Ragnar Kjartansson get sprayed by maternal mouthwater at i8 Gallgery and then shower your own mother in glorious spittle; finally, go heed the soothing chimes of a yoga Gong at Nauthólsvík and attain true Nirvana at our counterfeit beach. In the undying words of Kanye West All Day All Day! #AbrahamLincoln #HolidayHeaven
Ske Editors: ritstjorn@ske.is Advertisement: auglysingar@ske.is Interview & Editorial: Ragnar Tómas Hallgrímsson Interviewees: GZA Photographs from Breiðholt Festival: The Show Shutter Printing: Ísafoldarprentsmiðja Design & Layout: Hlynur Ingólfsson, Lifandi verkefni ehf.
16:00 - Kaffismiðjan – Best Coffee in Town There are many great coffee places in Reykjavík. But of all of the great coffee places, Reykjavík Roasters is the greatest. Located on Kárastígur 1, in downtown Reykjavík, Reyjavík Roasters is an unassuming little place that seats only about 20 people. It is owned and operated by a quatrain of accomplished coffee professionals; hanging on the walls of the coffeehouse, there are numerous placards that advertise their accomplishments (Barista of the year, etc.). Anyhow, I walked up to the counter and ordered a cappuccino. I paid a meager 500 ISK for it. 500 ISK is nothing. I recently shelled out twice that amount for admission to the latest Adam Sandler movie. It left a bad taste in my mouth for days – the cappuccino, on the other hand, did not. It was rich, creamy, neither too hot nor too cold.
18:00 - Hotel Marina – The Fabulous Hulk After a long and reasonably drunken day, I continued my inebriation at Slippbarinn (Hotel Marina). Slippbarinn is located in downtown Reykjavík by the older harbor, and it offers a wonderful menu that also features a series of small dishes. Being a sensible young man, with some experience in pacing myself, alcoholically speaking, I began with some food. I ordered the gratinated cheese (Búri cheese with honey, pine nuts and bread) and the bourbon hot wings (crispy chicken wings in bourbon hot sauce with yogurt dip). I then washed it all down with the The Fabulous Hulk cocktail (gin, pistachio, tonic wine, orange cream citrate, chocolate bitter, lemon and egg-white). Given that I had been drinking since noon, The fabulous Hulk delivered an almost knock-out punch. But not even he was strong enough to finish me. I told myself that such a thing would require the combined might of the entire Avengers squad, or, as it turned out – another small beer. I hailed a taxi at 9. I don’t remember the drive home. It was a perfect day.
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N O I T A N I T S E D E N O R E B NUM 5 1 0 2 E P O R U E IN O T G N I D R O C C A T E N A L P LONELY
www.visitakureyri.is Tourist Information - HOF | Strandgata 12 | 600 Akureyri | tel. +354 450 1050 | info@visitakureyri.is
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Stafrænn Hákon
Dúndurfréttir On Friday, June 19th, The Icelandic tribute band Dúndurfréttir will be playing classic hits by Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Pink Floyd and others. Thijs van Leer Hammond – flute and vocals Pierre van der Linden – drums Menno Gootjes – guitar Bobby Jacobs – bass Where: Hlégarður (Mosfellsbær) When: Friday, June 19th, 21:00 Price: 3,500 ISK www.midi.is
Secret Solstice Festival 2015
Reykjavík
Midsummer Music Reykjavík Midsummer Music brings together the highest caliber Icelandic and foreign musicians and shakes things up during high-summer, when the days are the longest. The festival was founded by Víkingur Heiðar Ólafsson in 2012 and he is the festival’s artistic coordinator. The festival was chosen as the Event of the Year at the Icelandic Music awards in 2013, and was also awarded the Rogastans innovation prize. The program of Reykjavík’s Midsummer Music festival offers its guests world-class entertainment, which often straddles the boundaries of different genres and art. The festival’s epicenter is Harpa, although various events occur at different places in the city.
The power ambient collective Stafrænn Hákon (Digital Hákon) will perform at Mengi on June 19th. Stafrænn Hákon is currently finishing their ninth studio album Dula, which is scheduled to be released this fall. Dula is a nine-song record featuring powerful, electro pop tunes that should not disappoint. For this concert, Stafrænn Hákon will be playing new music along with some older material as well. Stafrænn Hákon is currently preparing for the ATP festival that will be held in Iceland in July, with their set at Mengi being a perfect prepatory gig. Where: Mengi (Óðinsgata 2) When: Friday, June 19th, 21:00 Price: 2,000 ISK www.mengi.net
Where: Harpa and other venues When: Thursday, June 18th – Sunday, June 21st Price: 2,500 – 10,000 ISK www.harpa.is / www.tix.is
Dikta, Lucy in Blue
The Secret Solstice Festival returns to Laugardalur this weekend (June 19th – 21st). This year’s festival will feature the Wu-Tang Clan, the Wailers, FKA Twigs, Kelis, Charles Bradley, Moodymann, Foreign Beggars, Detroit Swindle and Skrea, that is to say – no slouches! There will also be a long list of great Icelandic bands performing: Hjálmar, Mugison, Ham, Gus Gus, Helgi Björnsson, Dikta, Cheddy Carter and more.
and Greyhound The Icelandic indie rock band Dikta will be performing at Gaukurinn alongside of the bands Lucy in Blue and Greyhound (Dikta will also be performing at Secret Solstice later that evening). For the concert at Gaukurinn, Dikta will be playing older hits along with some new material as well. Dikta was founded in 1999 and has thus far released four albums.
Hrafn Thoroddsen – Vocals / Guitar Franz Gunnarsson – Guitar / Vocals Guðni Finnsson – Bass / Vocals Þorbjörn Sigurðsson – Keyboard / Vocals Arnar Gíslason – Drums
Where: Gaukurinn When: Friday, June 19th, 21:00 Price: ? www.gaukurinn.is
Where: Laugardalur, Reykjavík When: Friday, June 19th – Sunday, June 21st Price: 19,900 – 89,000 ISK www.secretsolstice.is
ICERAVE The friends KK, Þorleifur Guðjónsson and Kormákur Geirharðsson come together every once and a while to play some of the good old tunes that they have performed for the past 20 years. Songs from the albums Lucky One, Bein Leið, Hótel Föröyar along with old blues songs by Robert Johnson, Jimmy Reed, JJ Cale and others.
The Secret Solstice Festival proudly presents the world’s first glacier party, to be held underneath Langjökull – Europe’s second largest glacier. The event will take place during the Secret Solstice Festival in Laugardalur, and only 70 tickets will be sold. DJing will be in the hands of Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs and Artwork. The party will take place in the caves of Langjökull, at a depth of 500 meters below ground. Bartenders will mix cocktails and all transporation, food and drinks are included in the ticket cost.
Where: Græni Hatturinn When: Friday, June 19th, 22:00 Price: 3,000 ISK www.midi.is
Where: Langjökull Glacier When: Saturday, June 20th, 23:45 Price: 29,900 ISK www.tix.is
KK Band
Prawn (US) & Brött Brekka The American indie rock band Prawn will be performing sugary sweet tunes for music lovers on Tuesday, June 23rd. Prawn was signed by Topshelf Records and there newest album, Kingfisher, has been well received. Opening for Prawn will be Reykjavík’s latest super group: Brött Brekka. Where: Húrra When: Tuesday, June 23rd, 21:00 Price: 500 ISK www.hurra.is
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HA F NA R F J Ö R Ð U R
Have you ever visited a town built into a lava field? Hafnarfjörður is known as “the Town in the Lava” because of its proximity to wildly shaped lava formations. About 7300 years ago Búrfell Mountain erupted and the area where the lava flowed from it, hardening on its way to swa, became known as Hafnarfjörðu
DESIGN & HISTORY
THE BEAUTIFUL SEASIDE
TOWN FESTIVAL
Hafnarfjörður is a town boasting with numerous interesting design shops and boutiques, with the harbour waterfront featuring one of Iceland´s favorite jewelsmiths. If you ´d like to get acquainted with the town on a deeper level, then a trip to the Hafnarfjörður Museum is a must. The main museum houses two permanent exhibitions; one dedicatedto the town´s colourful history while the other presents an exhibition of antique children´s toys.
Hafnarfjörður is a friendly seasisde community that is home to some 28.000 people, many living in colourful houses adorned with corrugated iron. Hafnarfjörður is close to Reykjavík and has it all! Beautiful parks, an art museum, a folk museum three geothermal pools and a geothermal area at Seltún, numerous restaurant and a selection of boutiques that focus on Icelandic design. All this is located in the compact town centre that is only 15 - 20 minutes away from central Reykjavík, with bus no. 1. Get the bus app or see www.bus.is.
Hafnarfjörður has its own collection of festivals, one of the most popular being the Viking festival in June. During Christmas, the towncentre is transformed for the festivities into a Yuletide village, with a Christmas market and plenty of live entertainment.
THE HIDDEN PEOPLE Even the Elves wants to live in Hafnarfjörður. This beautiful town is known for its elves and hidden people. Two local tours cater to visitors interested in learning more about huldufólk. The first tour, called “ The Hidden Worlds”, focuses primarily on the colourful history and folklore associated with elves. The second tour is “ The Elf Walk Tour” and it focuses on the sincere spirituality and belief system associated with elves or hidden people
TOURIST INFORMATION TOWN HALL, Strandgata 6 +354 585 5500 Open: MON - FRI 8-16
DayTour Tour Day GoldenCircle Circle Golden WhaleWatching Watching Whale
PuffinTours Tours Puffin HorseRiding Riding Horse Diving&&Snorkeling Snorkeling Diving
Also at Hafnarfjörður Museum, Vesturgata 8 Open : JUN - AUG, Daily 11-17 SEP - MAY, Sat - Sun 11-17 visithafnarfjordur.is
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Amabadama
Soffía Björg Soffía Björg is an up-and-coming, young composer and singer. This Sunday, June 15th, she will launch the 2015 Pikknikk concert series. Soffía Björg plans on releasing her debut album this summer and will be performing songs from the album. The Pikknikk concerts will be held on Sundays at 15:00 and there is no admission fee. Guests are also invited to bring food from Aalto Bistro to enjoy in the greenhouse during the concert.
NEC Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Founded in 1962, the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (YPO) is the senior-most orchestra at New England Conservatory’s Preparatory School. It is composed of 90 gifted young musicians between the ages of 13 and 18 who are selected annually from over 1000 applicants. In an unusual and rich artistic partnership between the youth orchestra and the college conservatory, YPO’s Music Director is David Loebel and resident conductor is Hugh Wolff.
On Wednesday, June 24th, the popular reggae band Amabadama will be performing at Frystiklefinn’s Midsummer Night concert. Frystiklefinn is located in Hellissandur, and it is only about a 2-hour drive from Reykjavík. There will be plenty of camping space, an operational bar and good music. Amabadama has been one of Iceland’s most popular band since the release of their single Hossa Hossa last summer. Where: Frystiklefinn (Hellissandur) When: Wednesday, June 24th, 21:00 Price: 2,900 ISK www.midi.is
Where: Norræna Húsið (Sturlugata 5) When: Sunday, June 21st, 15:00 Price: Free www.nordichouse.is
Halleluwah – Release Concert
Anna María
Program: Chadwick: Symphonic Sketches; 1. Jubilee Gandolfi: The Garden of Cosmic Speculation; The Zeroroom and Soliton Waves Chausson: Poème for solo violin and orchestra, Op. 25 Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade David Loebel, Music Director Ari Vilhjálmsson, Guest Violin Soloist Christine Hong, Concertmaster (soloist for the Sheherazade)
This Thursday, June 25th, the Icelandic band Halleluwah will be throwing a release concert at Húrra. Warm up will be in the hands of Futuregrapher and East of my Youth. Halleluwah consists of producer Sölvi Blöndal, a member of Iceland’s legendary band Quarashi, and Rakel Mjöll, a former vocalist of the bands Útidúr and Sykur. Halleluwah has found success with singles such as K2R, Whiplashes and Blue Velvet.
Thursday, June 25th, the singer Anna María will host a belated Midsummer’s Day concert at Kaffi Flóra at Grasagarðurinn at 21:00. Anna María will be performings songs from her album Hver stund með þér, which was released earlier this year. The album consists of songs inspired by love poetry that her grandfather, Ólafur Björn Guðmundsson, composed for her grandmother, Elín Maríusdóttir, over a 60-year period. The concert coincides with what would have been her grandfather’s 96th birthday. The band playing with Anna María is a fine one: Magnús Tryggvason Eliassen (drums), Andri Ólafsson (bass and vocals), Gunnar Jónsson (vocals, guitar and ukulele), and Anna María Björnsdóttir (vocals and piano).
Where: Hof (Akureyri) When: Sunday, June 21st, 16:00 Price: Free www.midi.is
Where: Húrra When: Thursday, June 25th, 20:00 Price: 1,000 ISK www.hurra.is
Where: Grasagarðurinn (104 Reykjavík) When: Thursday, June 25th, 21:00 Price: 2,000 ISK www.midi.is
"Everything about the North Aurora is first class." -North Aurora guest
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“SKE speaks to GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan. explore Iceland. The Wu-Tang Clan will be performing this Sunday at the Secret Solstice Festival.” Rarely are science and Hip-Hop intermingled in the same mind. There never was such an irreconcilable class of people as the scientists and the rappers. Juxtapose a young Charles Darwin, observing finches on the Galapagos beach, with a swinging Biggie Smalls, eyeing birds from his on-stage perch; or a lone Isaac Newton, grappling with gravity in an apple orchard, with an ostentatious 2 Chainz in a strip club, thinking that gravity has suddenly become perilous to his inebriated limbs. Scientists are concerned with the Universe, rappers are, more often than not, concerned with themselves – and their relation to society. GZA is one of the few that is concerned with both. Last week, SKE’s Ragnar Tómas spoke with Gary Grice aka the Genius about Secret Solstice, chess and Ferguson. I dial up the Radisson Blu Hotel in Hamburg, where the Wu-Tang clan is currently staying. After a few dial tones, the receptionist picks up and begins speaking German. A few thousands years ago, the receptionist’s ancestors and my ancestors would have spoken the same language; out of the two evolved forms of the Germanic language, I prefer the direction that my ancestors have taken it. I ask her to connect me with room 1720.
Do you know how long you’ll be staying? GZA: I think it’s just for a day. We’re in Germany right now, Hamburg. So we’re here for three days. We got here yesterday and we leave in two more days. So this is probably the longest that we will stay in a city, that I’m aware of. So I don’t know the schedule, but it’d be cool if we could stay longer: to check the city out. Because we never really get a chance. We’ve been to many cities; I’ve been to Rome maybe like 25 times, and it was only from this last trip that I got a chance to go see the Colosseum and the Vatican. So out of all the time that I’ve been going, like 20 years, that’s the first time I get the chance. Sometimes you don’t really get a chance to experience or see a city. Hopefully, we get an opportunity to explore Iceland. I’ve heard many good things. So I’m excited to go there and do a show.
“But that is the plan: to write novels and screenplays because I love writing.”
ME: I saw you on StarTalk the other day with my man Neil Degrasse Tyson and you mentioned that you were working on novels and screenplays. How’s that coming along? Can we expect a GZA novel in the near future?
GZA: YO! ME: GZA?
GZA: I mean hopefully. I’ve been talking abut this for years. I’m kind of like laid back when it comes to projects. I’ve been speaking on certain things for years. But that is the plan: to write novels and screenplays because I love writing. And I want to do more than just write lyrics. I’ve been making music for 20-plus years now and I plan on making a transition: speaking more at universities and writing some novels – getting more into the literary stuff.
GZA: Yeah.
ME: Any favorite writers?
ME: Hi, Ragnar here from Iceland. How are you?
GZA says that he doesn’t have any favorite writers. He’s been preoccupied with science lately. Through the years he’s mainly been ...
GZA: Good. I tell him that I’m calling from a magazine called SKE and that we hope to put him on the front cover next week. I also thank him for taking the time to speak with us. GZA: Oh, yeah – no doubt. ME: I still have Liquid Swords (GZA’s sophomore album) somewhere stashed away in my cd collection: I’m a fan. GZA: Oh, yeah. Thanks, man. ME: I wanted to ask you about the event that you’re doing in Iceland: Secret Solstice.What can we expect? GZA: You can expect a lot of energy: that classic WuTang energy! You know: great vibes – just a good show. What else can you expect. We’re not gonna be flying in the air and crowdsurfing or anything of that nature. But I think we give off great energy when we perform. ME: That’s what you’re known for. GZA: Yeah. ME: Am I right in assuming that this is your first time in Iceland? I know RZA’s been here before. GZA: Yeah, this will be my first time. ME: Do you have anything scheduled for your stay?
Interview: Ragnar Tómas Hallgrímsson
ME: Expressing yourself? GZA: Yes, expressing myself. There’s a lot of stuff that I just draw from my own imagination with a little inspiration from other things.
ME: How’s Dark Matter (the expected GZA album) coming along? GZA: Slowly but surely. It should come out in the later part of the year. It’s been pushed back because I’m on the road and I’ve been traveling a lot. It’s been hard to find music to match the writing material – the writing style – that I’m working on. As time goes on, my ideas change. I switch it up every now and then. But it’s coming along alright, lyrically. I’m just trying to get the rest of the music. ME: I heard you say that Dark Matter was inspired by the Universe, which I thought was a pretty beautiful sentiment. I thought immediately of Björk, who recently did this grand, environmental conceptual album. I was wondering: have you heard that album? It’s called Biophilia. Or, are you a fan of Björk by any chance? GZA: Someone mentioned that before. But I wouldn’t say that I’m really a fan, because I don’t know her music like that. I know RZA’s worked with her before (RZA remixed Björk’s Bachelorette), and I saw her at a festival once. I watched a performance of hers, maybe two performances online, not too long ago, and I think she’s really, really interesting. She has a great voice. She is an interesting person and a great artist. I would like to hear that album so maybe I check for it. I tell GZA that he should check that album out. That he may find some inspiration there. ME: So what are you up to these days, besides touring the world with Wu-Tang? GZA: I’m just writing. And I’m playing chess and I did a pilot for television called That’s Genius, in which I travel to different places, hopefully, different places around the world. The first place I traveled to was Philly (Philadelphia), to U Penn, where I met with scientists and physicists. I was actually learning about Graphene. It’s the lightest, strongest material that exists: only one atom thick and it’s about 10 - 20 times stronger than steel. It’s a pretty interesting thing. The more they develop it, the more things they can do with it, to better society. It’s an interesting show, so hopefully that comes through.
“She has a great voice. She is an interesting person and a great artist.” (GZA on Björk)
ME: You’re a famous chess enthusiast. Who is the best rapper / chess player? I know you’ve played with Jeru the Damaja, Afu-Ra and RZA – who stands out in your opinion? GZA: Uhhhmm ... RZA. RZA stands out. Killa (Masta Killa) is a strong player as well. That’s who I play the most. We’ve been playing while we’re on the road and we kind of go back and forth: I win some and he wins some. RZA has a strong game. I haven’t played AfuRa and Jeru since about ‘93. I don’t know if they play as much as I do – but I play all the time: every chance I get. I’ve played really strong players. I’ve played Grand Masters like Maurice Ashley. I’ve played a few masters in the park. I’ve played Killa and Arabian Knight, who produced a few songs on Wired Beneath the Surface (A GZA album from 1999). We’ve been playing for years. Whenever I get a chance to play I play. I play in the parks back in New York and I play online.
ME: When would that air if it comes through? GZA: In 2016, if they decide to go through with it. We’ll be filming more episodes.
ME: I caught you on TED-X recently. Do you have more speaking engagements? GZA: I do. I actually had one that I was supposed to do in May, but we pushed it back because I couldn’t make it. It was at MIT. But I’ve spoken there before. I’ve spoken at Harvard and at many different universities. I have some coming up this year, and some next year. ME: How was Harvard? GZA: Harvard was good. It was the first one that I did. The first place I was asked to come, as far as universities go. It was well received, but it was kind of intimidating because it’s a whole different arena. It’s not like being on stage and rhyming and doing songs. There people are drinking and people are smoking. During lectures, you have people actually focusing on you and listening to every word. People take notes and have their ipads out
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and write down stuff and giving you Q&A’s. It can be very intimidating at times, but welcoming also. ME: Yeah, I can imagine. It must be a little unnerving. Do you get nervous at all? GZA: I do, because I’m so last minute and laid-back sometimes that I don’t get a chance to prepare until the night of or the night before – when I know I’ve had two weeks or three weeks or a month (laughs) to prepare. But I’m always so busy. Before many lectures I was up all night before writing and preparing, and preparing back stage, like five minutes before walking out. And so it’s kind of intimidating but it’s something that I plan on doing for the next few years after I’ve stopped making music. I’m doing lectures now but it’s something that I plan on doing for maybe the next 10 years.
ME: What’s your take on the madness that’s been going in the US, with Ferguson etc. I’m from Iceland: we don’t understand stuff like that. It just seems so crazy. What’s going on? GZA: It is crazy. It didn’t just start in Ferguson. It’s something that’s been going on for years and years and years. You can trace this back to slavery and to the Civil Rights movement. It’s just something that’s continuing to happen. I just think it’s fucked up. It’s screwed up. I don’t where to start or how to change it, because if it doesn’t change with the people that are on the force, then it will never change: As long as you have officers inside the force that are all about brutality against young blacks and brown people, and sometimes white also. It’s just a fucked up thing. If they are here to serve and protect, then they should serve and protect. But I know people, white and black, male and female, some with criminal history, some without, that don’t like the police. They don’t even like being pulled over. It could be a guy that has never been pulled off a day in his life. It could be a white dude that’s never been arrested but he’s like “I’m nervous”, because of what’s going on. I think they need to find a new way of dealing with it. I think the problem lies with their training. We’ve had this police force for years, but I think that their training is not right. There are many different ways that you can subdue a person without choking them. We have advanced so much in science and technology. You can shoot a net around someone and trap them up. You don’t need to TAZER them with volts of electricity. It can be many different things. You have rubber bullets, which hurt, that’ll knock you down. You have ways of subduing people besides choking them and shooting them to death. It’s getting really crazy, man.
“I’ve spoken at Harvard and many different universities.”
ME: When you do these all-nighters, do you drink coffee? I keep thinking of that scene with you and RZA and Bill Murray in Coffee and Cigarettes (A film directed by Jim Jarmusch). GZA: Can you hold on one second? ME: No problem. Inaudible dialogue … GZA: I’m sorry man: that was housekeeping. Actually, I don’t drink coffee. I like the taste of it, because I drank it when I was young. My mom used to drink coffee and I remember drinking Sanka or Maxwell House. It’s a good taste, it’s nice. I remember drinking it as a child; not every day, but every now and then I would make a cup. But I’m not a coffee drinker. ME: Yeah, you seem more like a kind of herbal-tea kind of guy. GZA: I am. I don’t drink a lot of tea, but I like juicing. I like to drink a lot of raw juice. And I drink a lot of tea, but usually it’s cold tea or iced tea, without sugar – unsweetened: but no coffee.
“But I know people, white and black, male and female, some with criminal history, some without, that don’t like the police. They don’t even like being pulled over. It could be a guy that has never been pulled off a day in his life.”
ME: Yeah, especially as you say: The options are endless, with what you can do to handle the situation better. And it’s mind-boggling that things keep going this
ME: I used to live in the States myself, and what you said about this underlying anxiety about the police: it’s so unfamiliar to the rest of the world. Here in Iceland, a police officer pulls you over, and it’s usually a pretty friendly exchange. They’re here to serve and protect. But in America, I remember, one tends to tighten up, and there’s this whole power relationship that just throws everything off. It’s ridiculous. GZA: Yea, badge tripping. Power tripping. You wear a badge, you got a gun. One way to look at it: lead poisoning. You know, if you have a child that’s eating old paint off the wall they can get lead poisoning. So you have cops that are wearing lead belts, eight hours a day, for 30 years around their waist. You know? Something’s bound to go wrong. ME: I hadn’t thought of that. I inquire about GZA’s time. He tells me that he can spare a few more minutes. ME: I have one final question. I couldn’t help but to ask. I’m an emcee myself and I’ve been rapping for many years and I wanted to ask, feel free to say no, if you’d be interested in trading 16s (16 bars) with me? GZA: Uhhmmm. Wow (laughs). I wouldn’t know what to say. I would have to go into my notes. I don’t want to say anything that’s been written, but then again, I don’t want to say anything that’s not out there, or hasn’t been recorded yet. But maybe when we meet!
wrong. ME: Yeah, that’d be excellent.
ME: You’ve been in the game a long time: Has your conception of rap and Hip-Hop changed over the years, as you’ve matured and grown older? GZA: I think so, of course. That’s part of life. Living and growing and developing. You must grow and develop. It’s about evolving. Anything you do you have to evolve. In music, when we started we were speaking about this, and as we get older we speak about that, because as we get older we learn new things and we travel to different places and we get inspiration from different things, so I would say that it has changed a great deal. But the process is pretty much still the same.
GZA: And the more acquittals that we see, the more riots we’re going to see. I don’t condone it, as far as those who are looting and robbing stores, I don’t think that’s right. That’s not justifiable. To go out and rob and loot stores is not the way to protest. Those who are doing that they just don’t give a fuck. You know? But I do think that people are tired and that they’re going to go out and that they’re going to march. People are so fed up. And it’s just not black people, it’s white, black, more white in certain cities marching, because they’re fed up too. They’re tired of it. They see the injustice. They’re tired of it. People are fed up with this shit.
I thank GZA for a nice chat and tell him that hopefully we get a chance to meet. GZA: Thank you, brother: I appreciate it. ME: Alright, have a good day. GZA: Alright, brother, peace! ME: Peace! What an interesting guy!
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Exhibitions
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Ragnar Kjartansson Me and My Mother Ragnar Kjartansson opened a new exhibition at the i8 Gallery on June 11th. Ragnar Kjartansson’s mother has been spitting on him every five years since 2000 and Ragnar has diligently videotaped this affair for the benefit of the viewer. Ragnar Kjartansson is best known for his performance art, installations and video art. He is the creator of the critically acclaimed The Visitors, A Lot of Sorrow and Bliss. Besides the current exhibition, his previous work from 2000, 2005 and 2010 will also be on display. Where: i8 Gallery When: Ongoing (Until August 22nd) Hours: Weekdays 11:00-17:00, Saturdays 13:00-17:00 Price: Free www.i8.is
www.reykjavikcitymuseum.is
CHECK OUT THE NEW
REYKJAVÍK CITY MUSEUM C O M P R I S I N G 5 TO P M U S E U M S :
Art Summer in Akureyri Art Summer in Akureyri 2015 will take place all summer until fall. For two decades, art exhibitions and Akureyri fell under the organization Art Summer: a domain intended to support young artists. This year, Art Summer will be revived with a similar emphasis. Art Summer began last Friday in Listagil (Akureyri Arts Center) with much hoopla, in which Listagil was decorated by the craftsmanship of women. Over 70 events are scheduled for this year’s program. However, the schedule is not exhaustive, given that new acts may be added later on. The Art Summer will conclude with the A! Performance Art Festival, which is the newest addition to the country’s various arts festivals. The festival will be held between September 3rd – 6th and is a collaboration between the Akureyri Art Museum, Lókal Theater Festival, the Akureyri Theater Company, Reykjavík Dance Festival and the Icelandic Art Center. The Festival will emphasize the performing arts and performance art, in which visual presentation and innovative use of space and communication will be in the spotlight. A! will mark the end of Art Summer in the Akureyri Arts Center that is full of life these days. The program of A! Performance Art Festival is scheduled to take place in the Akureyri Art Museum, Ketilhús along with other places in Akureyri.
WHITELESS Hrönn Gunnarsdóttir and Þorgerður Þórhallsdóttir will premiere new video and audio installations at the exhibition WHITELESS. This will be there first collaborative exhibition. The exhibition traces its origin to Skype conversations between the two artists last winter. In their installations, Hrönn and Þorgerður grapple with man-made energy, imitations of nature and the natural in utopia/the void. WHITELESS is similar to the English word “weightless”, and the works featured in the exhibition are weightless and non-earthbound. They live an independent life in another world, existing in the dynamic between the biological and the mechanical, the transient and the eternal. This exhibition will be the second in a series by Kunstschlager in the D gallery of Hafnarhúsið that will be ongoing all summer. Where: Reykjavík Art Museum When: Ongoing until June 28th Hours: Daily 10:00-17:00, Thursdays 10:00-20:00 Price: Adults 1,400 ISK, Children Under 18 Free www.artmuseum.is
Where: the Akureyri Art Museum, Ketilhús along with other places in Akureyri. When: The Art Summer will end September 6th www.listagil.akureyri.is
Árbær Open Air Musem
The Settlement Exhibition
The Suitable World:
INNVIÐIR / WITHIN Húbert Nói Jóhannesson Reykjavík Maritime Museum
Reykjavík Museum of Photography
Viðey Island
Seeking One Perfect Thing A History, A Performance, A Quest.
The exhibition Within by artist Húbert Nói Hóhannesson opened in Týsgallery on June 11th. The exhibition is ongoing until June 27th. Húbert Nói Jóhannesson has in his works focused his attention on the subjects of locations and memory and related elements of movement and stillness. Húbert Nói Jóhannesson (1961) Graduated from The Mixed Media Department of The Icelandic College of Art and Crafts in 1987. Mr Jóhannesson has held over 30 private exhibitions and taken part in numerous group exhibitions. His works can be found in all major public collections in Iceland and various private collections on both sides of the Atlantic.
American artists Joshua-Michéle Ross and Yvette Molina will be exhibiting work from their project The Suitable World at Mengi. The Suitable World project documents a 28-day journey across Iceland – while dressed in a single three-piece suit. According to the artists, the project is about “seeking a balance between beauty and utility in the things we carry with us and the social dynamics that occur when wearing a suit in places it clearly does not belong. It is also a meditation on trying to preserve the things we love against the relentless wearing effect of time”. The show will include photography and video. Come and meet the artists on day 24 of their project (still wearing “the suit”). They hope to still be in presentable condition!
Where: Týsgallerí (Týsgata 3) When: Ongoing until June 27th Price: Free www.tysgaller.is
Where: Mengi (Óðinsgata 2) When: Saturday, June 20th, 20:00 Price: Free www.mengi.net
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Exhibitions
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What’s happening
Cherry Kino Júlíana Sveinsdóttir, Ruth Smith, Anni Albers and Kjarval Exhibitions (Opening) “Three exhibitions will be opened at the Reykjavík Art Museum, Kjarvalsstaðir, on June 19th. The first exhibition is by Júlíana Sveinsdóttir and Ruth Smith Two Strong Women. In celebration of a century of Icelandic and Faroese women’s right to parliamentary vote, Two Strong Women presents an overview of the two artists’ careers as landscape painters. Both Júlíana and Ruth studied art in Denmark and subverted the traditional roles of woman in order to become professional artists. Despite residing in Denmark, the two of them primarily painted landscapes of islands they grew up on, with unique color schemes that they recalled to portray powerful forces of nature. Curator of this exhibition is Hrafnhildur Schram. The exhibition is supported with a grant from the Nordic Culture Fund. The second exhibition is Vertical/Horizontal by Júlíana Sveinsdóttir and Anni Albers. In parallel with her painting career, Júlíana Sveinsdóttir (1889-1966) also enjoyed a successful and interesting career as a weaver. The exhibition explores Júlíana’s achievements as a textile artist, alongside masterly pieces of Bauhaus artist Anni Albers (1899-1994), who was famed as one of the most influential weavers of the twentieth century. Both Júlíana and Anni took up weaving by chance and instead of being limited by the traditional technique, the artists discovered freedom to experiment with conventional and unconventional materials, weaving forms and compositions that were abstract and modern. Curator is Ingibjörg Jónsdóttir. The exhibition commemorates the centenary of Icelandic women gaining the right to vote. The third exhibition is Marginalia – texts, sketches, and doodles in Kjarval’s artwork. Jóhannes Sveinsson Kjarval (1885-1972) has a legendary place as a painter in Icelandic cultural history, but who was Kjarval the writer, poet and neologist? The exhibition comprises the artist’s drawings, fragments of text, individual words, sketches and doodles on odd bits of paper. The emphasis will be on the dissonance between the doodles and his paintings and writings. Curators: Æsa Sigurjónsdóttir and Kristín Guðnadóttir.” (www.artmuseum.is) Where: Reykjavík Art Museum (Kjarvalsstaðir) When: Friday, June 19th, 17:00 Price: Adults - 1,400 , Children Under the Age of 18 – Free www.artmuseum.is
“Kinsomiðja presents Cherry Kino, a sister lab dedicated to experimental 16mm and super8 filmmaking from England. A screening of super colorful hand-processed films made on Super 8 and 16mm film by analogue film artist Cherry Kino! Come and watch a salty love letter to the sea, a film made entirely with ‘nail art’ materials, an eco-film of the Finnish forest, a solarized celebration of an island populated by crabs and seagulls, a look at maritime aggression, a carnival film, a sexy park, and a fairground attraction extravaganza! The screening also features three collaborations, ‘Sight by Sonar’ made with Christian Hardy where images of love, death and regeneration combine in an intimate homage to a dead bat, ‘Bad Blood’, a poetry film made with the Brutalist poet Adelle Stripe, and ‘Nail Art’ made with the musician Kathy Alberici.
Cherry Kino creates her films on Super 8 and 16mm, which are both processed and edited by hand. She explores a variety of processes, including cross-processing, solarizing, contact printing, rayograms, toning, inking, bleaching, burying, and good old shooting too! Her aim as an analogue filmmaker is to express personalized visions and emotions in a sensual way that can be physically felt and known by the cinema audience. Her films reveal an attraction to material and sensual experiences, discovering how emotions materialize without words and how the physical presence of the image is revealed in our bodies.” (mengi.net) Where: Mengi (Óðinsgata 2) When: Tuesday, June 23rd, 21:00 Price: 2,000 ISK www.mengi.net
No Site – Icelandic Landscape “No site is an exhibition of the works of eight artists living in Iceland who are turning their gaze towards Icelandic nature. Björn Árnason, Claudia Hausfeld, Daniel Reuter, Edda Fransisca Kjarval, Ingvar Högni Ragnarsson, Katrín Elvarsdóttir, Pétur Thomsen and Stuart Richardson all work with photography as a medium. The works are all made in the timespan 2008-2015. The curators are Áslaug Íris Friðjónsdóttir and Unnur Mjöll S. Leifsdóttir. Nature and landscape have long been a subject for artists. Consciously and unconsciously the tendency has been to glorify nature, for instance by fixating on well-known landmarks and historically important sites. In that aspect photography is no exception and in recent years that medium has played an important role in the imagemaking of the tourist industry. We are surrounded by stunning landscape photos of beaming northern lights, grand glaciers, glassy lakes and colorful mountains. The works in the exhibition reflect both inner and
outer landscapes. Each artist views nature from their own perspective, their works evoking consciousness toward places that are familiar. The characteristics of the landscape relate to familiar places or personal experiences and memories. This is the landscape that we all know: the image we see when we look out of the car window on our travels in the countryside; the places that don’t have any names; the environment which is in-between the remarkable places. We know the light, the yellow grass, the sands, the snowfields, the lava, the grayness and the rain that erases the outlines of mountains and landmarks. The artists participation in the exhibition No site have a different view of the landscape. They seek to capture the beauty in the moments that often go unnoticed.” (hafnarborg.is) Where: Hafnarborg (Hafnarfjörður) When: Ongoing (Exhibition ends August 23rd) Price: Free www.hafnarborg.is
Gourmet Experience
- Steaks and Style at Argentina Steakhouse Barónsstíg 11 - 101 Reykjavík Tel: 551 9555 argentina.is
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Why in the world would you settle for average? E N N E M M / S Í A / N M 6 74 7 0
When there is Slippbarinn
Ask anyone. Slippbarinn is hands-down the number one place for cocktails in Reykjavík. But our delicious menu is still a relatively well-kept secret. Healthy, fresh and hearty dishes with a creative twist, from the best ingredients, at affordable prices. You‘ve met our artists behind the bar, now see what our artists in the kitchen can do.
For reservation call +354 560 8080 or slippbarinn@icehotels.is Icelandair hotel Reykjavík Marina Mýrargata 2 101 Reykjavík Sími +354 560 8080 www.icelandairhotels.is
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Blue Lagoon
Snowmobile on the top of a glacier
The Golden Circle 6 times daily
Book your tour now! iceland@grayline.is | +354 540 1313 | grayline.is
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South Coast & Waterfalls
Paragliding on the South Coast
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
24 HOUR BOOKING SERVICE Book now at www.grayline.is or call +354 540 1313 Sales Office, Hafnarstræti 20, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Food tips
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O-Sushi Train Frederiksen Ale House Recently, Frederiksen Ale House opened on the corner of Tryggvagata and Hafnarstræti in downtown Reykjavík. SKE, being possessed of a deadly curiosity, the kind that proved fatal to the proverbial cat – dropped by for a taste. We snuck inside its doors and took our seats. We looked over the menu and made a decision. We ordered the licorice-
salted cod which was served with sweet potato mash, pickled button onions, spinach, deepfried leek and a White Ale butter sauce. We wolfed it down and made our judgment: In life, there are winners and there are losers, and the licorice-salted cod falls squarely into the former category. It was a fair judgment. We also learned that Frederiksen offers a
bar-snacks menu that charmed our socks off. We sampled an assortment of snacks that went perfectly with our beers and our Mojitos. Finally, we tried their famous steam buns, which turned out to be quite heavenly. The service was excellent and the prices surprised us – in a good way.
REYKJAVÍK CENTRUM
Elegant bistro menu Service with a smile Cozy atmosphere Great location
www.cafeparis.is
O-Sushi is a restaurant that is called the train. It is called the train because of the conveyor belt that runs through each restaurant’s table and transports sushi to its customers. In our opinion, the train is the finest locomotive in all of Iceland. It is conducted by a slew of experienced sushi chefs, who make sure that the train neither moves too fast nor too slow, and also that it carries only the freshest goods (I have never seen it break down). Last week, SKE hopped on the train on Pósthússtræti 13 (O-Sushi is also located in Hafnarfjörður, on Reykjavíkurvegur 60, and on Borgartún 29). Being experienced passengers, who have ridden the train for almost a decade, we made sure to position ourselves close to the conductor’s wagon – so as to be first in line for any new arrivals; there is nothing worse than spotting a desirable dish from afar, only to have it picked off the tracks before it comes within reach by some middle-aged nincompoop. And so we had precedence. We proceeded to pick off the best dishes from the belt: we picked up a couple of dishes of Maki Sunrise, two bowls of the Tuna tartar, three dishes of Volcano and then we ordered some Cokes to wash it all down. The ingredients were fresh, the staff did not have to intervene much and the view was lovely. All aboard: Chooo Choo!
Nonnabiti Nonnabiti is located at Hafnarstræti 9 in downtown Reykjavík. Nonnabiti specializes in grilled subs of the unnaturally large variety – and its good reputation rests wholly with Nonni’s secret sauce, which is an inimitable concoction of rare ingredients that elevates an otherwise fine sub to the vicinity of transcendence. Originally, we at SKE were going to write a common review of the place but decided against it. After having learned the following autobiographical tidbit from one of our staff (who shall remain anonymous), we could not help ourselves. This is what we learned: When one of our staff members was a teenager, he was addicted to Nonnabiti. Every morning he would wake up and start convulsing violently, jonesing for a hit. But, being a poor and penniless student, he could not afford the habit. Thus, he had to rely on the charity of his grandmother. His grandmother, bless her sympathetic heart, would escort him to Nonni’s establishment and would place an order for a Beef & Cheese sub, while he cowered in the corner, avoiding eye contact and stroking his left arm manically with his right one. Then, when the cook would hand her the sub, she would pass it on to him, at which point he would bolt to the nearest table and huddle over the thing like a wild beast. Since then, he has managed to overcome his addiction – but not completely. Every now and again he suffers a relapse. He tells us that sometimes he drifts off into a fugue state and regains concsciousness with a crumpled Nonnabiti wrapper in his pocket and white sauce running down his cheeks like a harlot after a thunderstorm. He cannot help himself; Nonni’s is just that good.
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565 6000 / somi.is
Eat Out in Iceland.
Check out our menu Enjoy Sómi sandwiches and wraps on your travels, Iceland’s favourite take-away! Fresh every day!
Design
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What’s happening
Volume
Coffeepot
Aria Table
Design: Ingibjörg Ósk Þorvaldsdóttir
Design: Sturla Már Jónsson Elegant table for the home and office. The Aria table received an award from the Icelandic Society of Furniture and Interior Architects in 2013.
Design: ULFR Clothing
Design: Gerður Steinarsdóttir
ULFR’s interpretation of the popular jogger trend, made with a stretch cotton blend, which means added comfort and wearability without losing the classic Kamoz silhouette and fit.
An especially beautiful and well-made bookshelf, which can stand on its own as a decorative piece or can be filled with ornaments and small objects. Volume is made from 12mm plywood and Plexiglas.
The coffeepot is based on different kinds of rotations: the rotation of weaving thread, a lathe and the revolution of whirling water when coffee is poured. The parts of the coffeepot form a whole that takes up little space. When the coffeepot is not being used, it serves a decorative function.
ULFR is a timeless and precise brand of menswear only offered directly to the consumer. ULFR embraces a truly unique perspective on positioning, wherein all products are available at an honest price-point but sold strictly in limited quantities to maintain exclusivity.
Gerður Steinarsdóttir has a degree from the European Institute of Design in Milano where she graduated as an industrial designer in 2006. Gerður has also studied various artforms, techniques, materials and has completed basic studies in tailoring at the Reykjavík Technical College
Ingibjörg Ósk Þorvaldsdóttir was born in 1956 in Reykjavík, Iceland. She gratuated as a teacher in 1981 with emphasis on textile and history. She also holds a degree in woodworking.
www.ulfrclothing.com
www.format.is
www.inosk.is
Kamoz Pants (black)
Sturla Már Jónsson was born in Reykjavík in 1947. He graduated as a Furniture- and Interior Designer from the London College of Furniture. www.sturlamarjonsson.com
PROBABLY THE
WORLD’S SMALLEST WATCH MANUFACTURER
Tree (Coat Stand) Design: Katrín Ólína Pétursdóttir Beautifully designed coat stand available in black and white. Katrín Ólína Pétursdóttir is an Icelandic designer and artist whose work has been commissioned, produced and published by the National Gallery in Oslo, Print Magazine, Die Gestalten Verlag, Rosenthal, Fornarina, Dupont Corian(R), and the Montreux Jazz Festival, to name a few. www.icelandicmarket.com
Stuðlar Design: MAJLOV The inspiration for the Stuðlar concrete candle holders comes from the basalt column rock formations that are found in Iceland’s idyllic landscape. MAJLOV is Icelandic designer Maja Lovísa. Maja got her BS degree in Interior Design from Arizona State University in 2003 and since then she has touched on and explored several design disciplines and done interior work, graphics, branding design and product design. www.majlovdesign.com
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LOFTIÐ // AusTursTræTI 9 // secOnd FLOOr // FAcebOOk.cOm/LOFTIdbAr
PRIMO RISTORANTE Authentic Italian Restaurant in Downtown Reykjavík
There is a taste of sun in Italian food. And not only the taste of sun, it’s also a taste of the warm soil, the four seasons, culture. Here, in an old house on Bankastræti in Reykjavík, we invite you to experience Italian cuisine with superb ingredients that make the sun shine even brighter in your heart. Enjoy.
ÞINGHOLTSSTRÆTI 1, ReykjavIk facebook.com/primoreykjavik Tel: +354 553 4200
Things to do
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What’s happening
Kraftur (Summer Grill) Kraftur’s summer grill will be held in Guðmundarlund this Tuesday. Kraftur is a cancer society that supports young cancer patients and their families. The Atlantsolía grill wagon will be there and there will be lots of fun entertainment. Where: Guðmundarlundur, Kópavogur When: Tuesday, June 23rd, 18:00-21:00 Price: Free www.kraftur.org
BERNHÖFTS BAZAAR - Music Bernhöfts Bazaar is a new and exciting outdoor market located in downtown Reykjavík. The market will be open on Saturdays from June 20th – July 25th (from 13:00-18:00). Each market will have a theme of its own: Music, Plants, Skateboards & Bikes, Toys, Made by Granny and Art. This Saturday, the theme will be music in which visitors will be able to buy music, old and new, offered by music lovers, artist and record labels. Come enjoy a cold beverage and dance with us to the tunes of local artists. Where: Bernhöftstorfa Square (corner of Bankastræti and Lækjargata) When: June 20th, 13:00 – 18:00 Price: Free
MYNKA Presents Go Skateboarding Day MYNKA invites all skaters in Iceland to a big party on the Go Skate Day, June 21st at Taco Barinn. There will be a skate sail session, DJs, a pop-up MYNKA booth and an art show. Happy hour will be in full effect between 16:00-18:00 and there will also be special offers on tacos. Where:Tacobarinn (Hverfisgata 20) When: Sunday, June 21st, 16:00 Price: Free
One Station for the Nation Gong Relaxation at Nauthólsvík Beach This Saturday, June 20th, the yoga instructor Arnbjörg Kristín invites you to a Gong Relaxation on the Nauthólsvík beach (by the hottub). Gong Relaxation is a regenerative experience that helps you attain greater peace of mind.
Radio Iceland is a brand new station that broadcasts in English. This is what makes it so special. In fact, regulations in Iceland needed to be changed for such a broadcast to be legal. This makes Radio Iceland is a watershed in Icelandic broadcasting. The language spoken is English but the music is exclusively Icelandic. Radio Iceland interviews artists and people at the forefront of their fields; keeps you informed on what is going on in the country or in the city you’re staying in; and it updates you on the weather and road conditions every hour. Radio Iceland also features different shows and content with a rotating cast of interesting hosts: a little bit of everything for
everyone. All hosts have their personalities and are allowed to express themselves freely on air: no other radio station in the country is so permissive, and so every time you tune in – you’re in for a treat! Radio Iceland is a brand-new station that started broadcasting in February of this year, but its increasing popularity at home and abroad suggests that by the end of this year it will be the leading station in the country. You can listen to Radio Iceland in your car or directly on their webpage: www.radioicelandfm.is
Where:Nauthólsvík Beach When: Saturday, June 20th, 15:00 Price: Free
Gljúfrasteinn
To Øl Tap Madness @ Mikkeller & Friends Reykjavík This Saturday, June 20th, Mikkeller & Friends Reykajvík will go crazy for To Øl (Danish brewery) and will fill all 20 taps with To Øl beers. We are talking about some VERY EXCLUSIVE kegs, my friends. No beer-lover should miss this! Where: Mikkeller & Friends Reykajvík (Hverfisgata 12) When: Saturday, June 20th, 14:00
(Halldór Laxness
International Day of Yoga
Gljúfrasteinn was the home and workplace of Nobel Laureate Halldór Laxness (Laxness won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955). Halldór Laxness is widely considered Iceland’s greatest writer, writing 13 major novels, five plays and a dramatization of one of his novels in his lifetime, not to mention short-story collections, essays and memoirs. In 2004, Gljúfrasteinn opened to the public as a museum. In the reception building, visitors can view a multimedia presentation dedicted to Laxness’s life and work. There you will also find admission tickets, books and souvenirs.
The Embassy of India in Iceland in collaboration with the HARPA Performing Arts & Conference Center and various Yoga groups in Iceland will be celebrating the First International Day of Yoga (IDY) as declared by the United Nationals Organization. The motive of organizing this IDY is to promote peace and harmony by way of Yoga activities and exercises. The event will be held on Sunday, June 21st at Harpa Square in Reykjavík. In case weather does not permit, the events will be moved inside onto the first floor of the Harpa Conference Center. Everyone is encouraged to stop by and participate with their own Yoga mats or blankets.
Where: Gljúfrasteinn, Mosfellsbær When: Every Day 9:00 – 17:00 (Summer Hours) Price: 900 ISK (Adults), Free (Children Under 18) www.gljufrasteinn.is
Where: Harpa Square When: Sunday, June 21st, 10:00 Price: Free www.harpa.is
Museum)
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Ske
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What’s happening
On Lawyers and Ugly Wolves The decline of the Icelandic nation began in 930, for that was the year that the office of “lawyer” was invented. In those days, however, they had the good sense not to call it by that name - but referred to it instead by the misleading title of “lawspeaker”. This crude variety of the office was, on account of its crudeness, much more tolerable than its modern equivalent, and did not seem to inspire the same antipathy among the general public. I would like to suggest three main reasons for why. First, the lawspeaker did not practice his craft within a grand and stately office but was made to carry out his duty underneath the open sky – just like our modern laborers. This forced the lawspeaker to mingle with ordinary folk, which in turn made him much more relatable. Second, the lawspeaker could not decorate his person with an expensive suit, and was thus, appearance-wise, nearly indistinguishable from common people. Finally, the law which the lawspeaker familiarized
himself with was of a more simple and manageable character, so much so that he was expected to recite one third of the entire canon during each annual session of parliament. This was a tedious and embarrassing task which further endeared him to the average man. The first lawspeaker in Iceland was a man called Úlfljótur, or Ugly Wolf. Little is known about Ugly Wolf other than the fact that he seemed to have surpassed his countrymen in the art of memorization. The nation made good use of him by sending him to Norway where he memorized the laws of his relatives and carried them back to Iceland between his ears; he was in some sense the human forerunner to the floppy disk. Today, history has penalized Úlfljótur for being the first in a long line of disagreeable sophists by associating his name with the worst kind of modern literature, namely the legal journal (Úlfljótur is a law review published by law students at the University of Iceland).
Happy Hour!
You know what time it is Prikið, Bankastræti 12
All weekdays from 16:00 - 20:00 Beer - 500 ISK
Vegamót, Vegamótastígur 4
Thursday till Saturday from 22:00 - 01:00 Beer - 750 ISK Wine - 750 ISK
Stofan Café, Aðalstræti 7 All days from 17:00 - 20:00 Beer - 750 ISK Wine - 950 ISK
Kaldi Bar, Laugavegur 20B All days from 16:00- 19:00 Beer - 650 ISK
Hlemmur Square, Laugavegur 105 All days from 17:00 - 21:00 Beer - 600 ISK Wine - 600 ISK
Slippbarinn, Mýrargata 2 All days from 15:00 - 18:00 Beer - 500 ISK Wine - 500 ISK
Smurstöðin Restaurant, Austurbakki 2 All days from 16:00 - 18:00 Beer - 500 ISK Wine - 600 ISK
Barber Bar, Laugavegur 66-68 All days from 16:00 - 19:00 Beer - 650 ISK Wine - 650 ISK
Loftið, Austurstræti 9
All days from 16:00 - 23:00 2 for 1
25 What’s happening
Svarfadur Valley is Iceland’s most beautiful place, according to its people, the Svarfdaelings. A few years ago, all sheep in the valley were quarantined and destroyed because of scrapie, a fatal and infectious disease. That’s when they founded the Herding Society, a venerable club of shepherds, car mechanics, carpenters, schoolteachers and plumbers. They are also poets and singers and festive men. And they continue to herd every year, despite the fact that there is not a single sheep left in the valley. The Svarfadur Valley Herding Society: Skál fyrir þér! Léttöl
Fashion
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What’s happening
Sindri Jensson
Hildur Ragnarsdóttir
Húrra Reykjavík
Einvera
Keep Your Sneakers Clean! When you are wearing a pair of fresh sneakers, it is important to keep them clean. Now that sneakers have become a common sight in Reykjavík’s clubs, it is also inevitable that they lose their luster after a long night on the dancefloor. Nothing upsets me more than seeing someone sporting an amazing pair of dirty sneakers. But don’t worry: there’s a solution out there and it’s called Jason Markk. In 2006, Jason Markk hired an Indian chemist to create the world’s first sneaker-cleaner. Today, Jason Markk’s products are sold in over 1,500 stores worldwide – including one in Iceland: Húrra Reykjavík. The
product line is not big, consisting of the cleaner, two types of brushes, a singleuse towel, a microfiber towel and the revolutionary repel substance, which protects your sneakers from moisture and dirt. I have often gone so far as demanding that customers who visit Húrra Reykjavík take their sneakers off so that I can clean them. People are always surprised at just how well this product works and have often written off their sneakers as being ruined before I clean them. Your sneakers can attain a new lease on life with the miracle cleaner by Jason Markk. To make a long story short: KEEP YOUR SNEAKERS CLEAN!
Secret Solstice The Secret Solstice Festival will take place this weekend, and I’m relatively certain that I’m not the only one who’s sweating at the thought of what to wear. Last year, I learned a few things: the weather is, as is always the case in this otherwise fine country, unpredictable. Wear an outer garment that is resistant to rain. Shoes are important. Wear good, comfortable shoes that are capable of withstanding rain and mud. Bring a bag that you can dance with and that can accommodate all of
your necessities. Also, bring an extra cap, whether to keep you warm or to salvage a bad hair day – an extra cap is a must. Even though one needs to dress sensibly, this doesn’t mean boring. Clothes with prints or colors, fun accessories like wreaths, hair ornaments and hats can most definitely spice up an outfit. Now, all we have to do is cross our toes and fingers in hopes that the sun will be shining throughout the festival. See you at Secret Solstice.
27 What’s happening
Gelato
Gelato is the italian word for icecream. Perlan makes it’s own italian gelato for you to enjoy with the spectacular view overseeing the city in any direction.
C
A
F
É
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What’s happening
BreiĂ°holt Festival june 13th
29 What’s happening
EXPLORE
LEARN
DISCOVER
Can’t catch the Northern Lights? Don’t worry, we have already done it for you!
Visit us and enjoy our multimedia exhibition
OPEN EVERY DAY FROM 09.00–21.00
Icelandair Hotel Marina
Grandagarður 2 - 101 Reykjavík - Near the old harbour Tel: (+354) 780 4500 - www.aurorareykjavik.is @aurorareykjavik
@aurorareykjavik
@aurorareykjavik
Cinema
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What’s happening
MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
HRÚTAR
JURASSIC WORLD
STILL ALICE
FAST & FURIOUS 7
LAUGARÁSBÍÓ | ÁLFABAKKI KRINGLUBÍÓ | SAMBÍÓIN EGILSHÖLL SAMBÍÓIN AKUREYRI | SAMBÍÓIN KEFLAVÍK
SMÁRABÍÓ | LAUGARÁSBÍÓ BORGARBÍÓ AKUREYRI
FRUMSÝND 12. JÚNÍ
BÍÓ PARADÍS
SMÁRABÍÓ
8,8
7,5
8,2
THE WATER DIVINER SMÁRABÍÓ | HÁSKÓLABÍÓ | LAUGARÁSBÍÓ | SAMBÍÓIN KEFLAVÍK BORGARBÍÓ AKUREYRI
7,3
7,7
82%
8,6
98%
PITCH PERFECT 2
89%
ÁLFABAKKI | SAMBÍÓIN EGILSHÖLL
7,3
61%
68%
GOOD KILL AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON ÁLFABAKKI | KRINGLUBÍÓ | SAMBÍÓIN EGILSHÖLL SAMBÍÓIN AKUREYRI | SAMBÍÓIN KEFLAVÍK
8,0
ÁLFABAKKI | SAMBÍÓIN EGILSHÖLL SAMBÍÓIN AKUREYRI | SAMBÍÓIN KEFLAVÍK
6,3
74%
PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 SMÁRABÍÓ
6,4
23%
74%
SAN ANDREAS ÁLFABAKKA | KRINGLUBÍÓ
BAKK
6,6
50%
HOT PURSUIT
SMÁRABÍÓ | HÁSKÓLABÍÓ | LAUGARÁSBÍÓ | BORGARBÍÓ AKUREYRI
KRINGLUBÍÓ
4,8
7%
SPOOKS: THE GREATER GOOD SMÁRABÍÓ | HÁSKÓLABÍÓ BORGARBÍÓ AKUREYRI
6,8
59%
HOME SMÁRABÍÓ
6,8
46%
31 What’s happening
ICELANDIC ARTSCAPES
The artist of Nature Tolli grew up in Reykjavík and rural Iceland, surrounded by cold seas, amidst broad glacier valleys and stern mountains. An Icelander’s relationship with Nature
Tolli Art Gallery is located at the harbour area in the old part of Reykjavík (next to Farmers Market) and there you can find Tolli´s paintings, available in many sizes. All paintings, especially the larger ones are readily sent in special packages to customers worldwide, arranged by the gallery.
is often primal, brutal and grave. Yet Tolli’s appreciation of his country is also subtle and sensitive, portrayed by fleeting textures. He employs oil colours in bold shades, but with the eider-light touch of a water colourist. The images Tolli portrays could be ancient or modern, but they remain timeless, entangled in the powerful authenticity of the artist´s broad vision. “What makes my country so spell-binding,” explains the artist, “is not simply the
Whales of Iceland
Tolli art gallerí Old harbour Harpa
landscape forms, extraordinary though they are. It is the Arctic light.” Light is life and in Tolli’s world it becomes dynamic and daring, dramatic and eternal.
City Hall Tjörnin
Visit us and enjoy good art in our comfortable and elegant gallery. You are most welcome! Art reproduction and posters We also offer fine reprints and posters in convenient hard-case tubes that fits in most suitcases.
Hólmaslóð 2 . 107 Reykjavík . tolli@tolli.is
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What’s happening
90/10 90/10 goose down gæsadúnn
800 800 fill fill power power
Technostretch® Technostretch® panels
Bound seams Bundnir saumar
ÖGN is a super light jacket, filled with goose down. Tecnostretch® panels provide a comfortable fit and breathability. A perfect companion for the outdoors. Designed and tested in Iceland.
Bankastræti 7, 101 RVK | www.cintamani.is