Ske - #7 (english version)

1 What’s happening

#7

Plan your perfect day

On Genealogical Porn

SKE plans your perfect day in Reykjavík: peak inside for further details.

A brief ironic discourse on the Icelanders’ obsession with Genealogy

Ske.is 03.07 2015 - 09.07 2015

Your free copy Your guide to what’s going on in iceland

“You don’t need the best camera in the world to be a great photographer” -Saga Sig

Ske

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What’s happening

A “Perfect” Day – Pt. 7 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.

World Class – Laugar – 10:00 I have heard it said that, “idleness is the highest expression of human freedom, for it is the ability to do everything – and yet choose not to.” Now, I am a man who loves to revel in the ease of idleness, and one, also, who loves to celebrate the comfort of inertia, but there are times when I am equally tickled by the thrill of motion: I enjoy the occasional and vigorous workout. And so last Saturday, I decided to begin my day in Laugardalur – at Iceland’s most famous gym franchise: World Class. The World Class in Laugardalur (also called Laugar) is likely the largest gym in Iceland (and the best equipped as well). It is capable of accommodating a legion of diversely conditioned individuals without making a show of it. It swallows them whole like Moby Dick snacking on a million, microscopic plankton. Anyhow, at just before 10 o’clock that morning I became one of the plankton. I entered the locker room and changed into my fitness clothes: threadbare Nike sneakers; a pair of anonymous black shorts; and a coffee-stained wife-beater. I looked in every way like a young Slim Shady before his transition from the dusty streets of Detroit to pristine stardom (when he was merely a homely piece of talented white trash). I ran on the treadmill for 10 minutes and turned my attention to the free-weights. My attention span being what it is, I must have completed about three sets before hitting the showers. It was nice.

Nauthólsvík – Fake Beach / Real Cool – 13:00 After World Class, an intense feeling of sun guilt began to bubble up in my mildly swollen chest (sun guilt is a feeling native to all indoor Icelanders, in which they become instantaneously contrite the moment the sun appears). Being a man of a limited imagination, I sought out Iceland’s most famous faux beach: Nauthólsvík. The Nauthólsvík geothermal beach was opened in 2001 and it attracts an estimed 500,000 people annually; people love to congregate on the fake beach, with their fake tans and act real cool. Anyhow, I went to the beach and brought a towel. I then laid down, looked upwards towards the sky and fell asleep –all the while an assortment of podcast episodes buzzed in my ears. I slept through great episodes of 99% Invisible, This American Life, Entitled Opinions and more, before finally staggering to my feet at just past 4 o’clock in the afternoon. It was a hoot!

Hótel Holt – Beers, Beers, Beers – 17:00 Last Saturday, we stagged (steggjuðum) a friend of mine. In the Icelandic tradition, a stag party is less a pleasant evening of strippers and beer – and more a day-long itinerary of torture. In keeping with that tradition, 15 of us tormentors convened on the parking lot of a wellknown insurance company and boarded a bus to his apartment. What followed was drawn out succession of comic humiliations: we charged into his bedroom as he slept, pounced on his anatomy and doused his physiognamy with water (this was not only a clever method of shocking him into consciousness – but a kind of stag baptism, whereby he was christened the wretch (#dorigreyid) on Instagram); we hustled him to his feet and apparelled him in the green and white uniform of the football club that he despises the most: Breiðablik; we made him sign a legal document wherein he surrendered his autonomy and promised to fulfill, without complaint, any obligation required of him; we slung a wooden shot glass around his neck and filled it regularly with sweaty Mexicans (a poisonous drink comprised of Tabasco, Tequila and Rum); we drove him to the Breiðablik stadium (the ninth circle of hell, to the stag), where he was bent over on the goal line as a squad of young players (the Hitler youth, to the stag) struck balls at his protruding buttocks from short distances; we wedgied him; we threw him into the ocean – naked; and, finally, we inserted him into the tiny cockpit of a precarious plane, placed a senile old pilot in the seat next to him (it took him 15 minutes to the get the engine going, working at it like a rickety lawmower) and launched him into the sky with scant hope of survival. In other words: We assisted our friend, the stag, to live life to the fullest. Without our intervention and generosity, that Saturday would not have distinguished itself from any other Saturday; in the life of the stag, it would have merely been relegated to the mnemonic dust bin on Monday. Anyhow, the point that I am trying to make is this: one need not wait until one’s stag party (or hen party, for that matter) to live: Flip through the pages of our humble magazine and grab life by its increasingly sagging nut-sack (or vaginal flab, if you are of the fairer sex) #HanYOLO

Ske Editors: ritstjorn@ske.is Advertisement: auglysingar@ske.is Interview & Editorial: Ragnar Tómas Hallgrímsson Interviewee: Saga Sig Photographs: Allan Sigurðsson Photographs from Reykjavik Tattoo convention: The Show Shutter Printing: Ísafoldarprentsmiðja Design & Layout: Hlynur Ingólfsson, Lifandi verkefni ehf.

After the beach I felt weak, dizzy and nauseated. I diagnosed the malady as a mild form of heat exhaustion and mused upon the appropriate palliative steps. I decided that as a result of the heat exhaustion I had become drained of bodily fluids – and there was but one suitable remedy: beer. I hitched a ride from a friend of mine and directed him to Hótel Holt, which houses the finest bar in all the land. Hótel Holt is located on Bergstaðastræti 37 and it was opened in 1965 by the entrepreneuer Þorvaldur Guðmundsson and his wife Ingibjörg Guðmundsdóttir. Anyhow, every week, Hótel Holt is frequented by a gang of boisterous ad men (men and women). Through years of unbroken inebriation, these ad men have become quite adept at masterfully squeezing an eternity of joy from the briefest of happy hours.

When I arrived, I was hoping to find a few of them, drooping from their bar chairs, cracking scatalogical jokes and acting impiously – but I had no such luck. Instead I was joined by a crew of German tourists, who polluted the airwaves with the indecipherable dissonance of the Teutonic tongue.

Kopar – Crispy Turkey and Whisky Sauce – 19:00 Having rehydrated, I desired a meal. In my search, I stumbled through the streets of downtown Reykjavík spewing a lethal cocktail of nonsense and poetry. Eventually, I made it to the old harbor, where I infiltrated the Kopar restaurant with a gluttonous scheme. At Kopar, surprise and seduction are the operative words, and it is the only restaurant in Iceland that serves Icelandic rock crab. I looked over the menu and found it hard to make a decision. The waiter, sensing my indecisiveness, sidled up next to me and recommended that I try the crispy turkey with the whisky sauce. I said yes.

Enjoying the view from my window, I waited patiently like an unsigned 50 Cent. When the Turkey arrived I sunk my teeth in. The turkey, itself, was good – but the whisky sauce was something else, entirely. I am confident that the whisky sauce could have elevated the most unsavory of meats to the heights of rare delectability. I paid the check and left, pleased with the meal, the service and the atmosphere.

Bíó Paradís – Vonarstræti – 21:00 After a long day, I decided to conclude my evening at one of my favorite places in town – Bíó Paradís (Cinema Paradiso). Situated on Hverfisgata 54, in downtown Reykjavík, Bíó Paradís is a cozy little theater that opened its doors in 2010. Besides being the center of such festivals as the Reykjavík International Film Festival and Reykjavík Shorts & Docs (among others), Bíó Paradís also screens various independent films along with occasional retrospectives of film classics. Also, it is the only theater in Reykjavík where patrons are served white wine and beer. I purchased a ticket to see the Icelandic film Vonarstræti, which touches upon the subject of the Icelandic financial crisis: a subject that Icelanders never tire talking about. Before entering the auditorium, I purchased a small bag of popcorn and a medium Coke at the concession stand. I then took my seat and enjoyed the film, paying special attention to how well-behaved the patrons of Bíó Paradís were; during the movie, not a single cell phone was answered and I did not have to shush a single idiot.

It was a perfect day.

3 What’s happening

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Music

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What’s happening

ATP Iceland 2015 From July 2nd to July 4th, the music festival All Tomorrow’s Parties will be held in Ásbrú, the former NATO base in Keflavík (about a 30 minute-drive from Reykjavík). ATP is often described as the “ultimate mix tape”, differing from the larger, more commercial music festivals in that it emphasizes quality and customer experience. The festival was founded in 2000 and since then it has spread around the world, to such places as the UK, Spain, Australia, Japan and the US. The festival site in Ásbrú will host two indoor stages along with a cinema with films handpicked by ATP organizers and bands. The capacity for this snug and intimate festival is just 5,000 people.

The festival will feature the likes of Iggy Pop, Drive Like Jehu, Belle and Sebastian, Public Enemy, Swans, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Run The Jewels, Mudhoney, Loop, Lightning Bolt, Bardo Pond, Kiasmos, HAM, Ghostigital, Ought, Clipping, The Bug, Younghusband, Xylouris White, Deafheaven, Iceage, Chelsea Wolfe, The Field, White Hills, Oyama, Vision Fortune, Grísalappalísa, Valdimar, Stafrænn Hákon, Mr Silla, Kippi Kaninus, Tall Firs and Grimm Grimm.

Ljótu hálfvitarnir It is said that summer is the season when women blossom, but it is also the time when men play football, and not only big and hairy men – but little ones as well. In Akureyri a whole weekend in July is dedicated to a junior football competition, which coincides with a concert by Ljótu Hálfvitarnir at Græni Hatturinn. Of course, no less than three performances will do: Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday night. Ljótu Hálfvitarnir play upbeat, folksy music with an emphasis on witty lyrics.

Where: Græni hatturinn, Akureyri When: Thursday, July 2nd, Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th, 21:00/22:00 Price: 3,500 ISK www.midi.is

Duo Harpverk Duo Harpverk will be performing at Mengi this Friday.

Duo Harpverk consists of the harpist Katie Buckley and the percussionist Frank Aarnink. Since their collaboration began in 2007, Duo Harpverk has performed over 80 works by various composers, foreign and Icelandic. Duo Harpverk focuses on the work of young composers, but has performed pieces by older, more experienced composers as well. The band has performed at many venues, such as the Reykjavík Art Festival, Dark Music Days (Myrkir Músíkdagar), Iceland Airwaves, The Church Arts Festival (Kirkjulistahátíð) and has toured in Denmark, the Netherlands and the Faroe Islands. Duo Harpverk also performed at the Nordic Cool Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in 2013.

Where: Mengi (Óðinsgata 2) When: Friday, July 3rd, 21:00 Price: 2,000 ISK www.mengi.net

Selected Press: “This weekend was without a doubt the best music festival I’ve ever been to.”

(KEXP) “We’re still recovering after witnessing the myriad of landmark performances we saw this weekend just past.”

(Icelandic Music Export) “The event, especially in the Icelandic context, really shows itself to be unique among other international festivals.”

(Rok) Where: Ásbrú When: Thursday, July 2nd – July 4th, 12:00 Price: 4,350 ISK – 23,750 ISK www.midi.is

Kex Country From July 2nd to July 4th, Kex Hostel will be hosting the fourth annual Kex Country festival. The festival honors USA’s Independence Day by staging various music and food-related events in the spirit of American culture. This year, musicians like Mr. Silla, KK, Lights on the Highway, Snorri Helgason, Elín Ey and others will perform. The restaurant Sæmundur í Sparifötum will take over the kitchen and prepare a variety of American-style food.

Where: Kex Hostel (Skúlagata 28) When: Thursday, July 2nd – Saturday, July 4th, 18:00 Price: Free (music events)

Brumes and Just Another Snake Cult This Saturday, July 4th, the bands Brumes and Just Another Snake Cult will perform at Mengi.

Eyþór Ingi at Menningarhúsið Hof This Friday, July 3rd, Eyþór Ingi Gunnlaugsson will perform Icelandic and foreign rock classics at Menningarhúsið Hof, Akureyri. Over the years, Eyþór Ingi has become renowned for his lively stage presence and impressive vocal range.

He was catapulted to national stardom in 2008 when he won the TV talent show Bandið hans Bubba. A year earlier, in 2007, Eyþór Ingi won a song contest for high school students. Eyþór Ingi has said that his musical influences are artists like Jeff Buckley, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and David Bowie.

Where: Menningarhúsið Hof, Akureyri When: Friday, July 3rd, 14:00 Price: 2,900 ISK www.midi.is

Lím Drím Tím at Húrra

Brumes hails from Portland, Oregon and was founded as a solo project by harpist/multi-instrumentalist, Desiree Rousseau. Subsequently, Brumes took on a new shape as a full-fledged band, including drums, guitar, keys and the occasional violin: “The group has evolved to render a sound indicative of their namesake: a serenely fog laden atmosphere, enmeshed in the dreamlike lyricism of Rousseau” (www.soundcloud.com/brumes). Dalton Long and Desireè Rousseau will be concluding their summer tour in Reykjavík and will be joined by special guest Þórir Bogason on keys.

The singing DJs Steindór Grétar Jónsson and Alexander Briem will be performing at Húrra this Saturday. Be there!

Just Another Snake Cult was founded in 2010 by multiinstrumentalist Þórir Bogason as an outlet for his bedroom recording experiments. Just Another Snake Cult is an eclectic, lo-fi, psychedelic pop project. Its debut album, The Dionysian Season, was nominated for the Icelandic Music Awards, and its sophomore, most recent album, Cupid Makes a Fool of Me, won a Kraumur Award.

Where: Húrra When: Saturday, July 4th, 23:00 Price: Free

Where: Mengi (Óðinsgata 2) When: Saturday, July 4th, 21:00 www.mengi.net

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Music

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What’s happening

B-Ruff & DJ Kocoon Friends and fellow scratchers DJ B-Ruff and DJ Kocoon will perform at Dolly this Saturday. The duo will brandish a gunbelt full of tunes while simultaneously toting a bag of explosive beats. Get ready!

Where: Dolly When: Saturday, July 4th, 23:45 Price: Free

Jamie Laval Lady Sings the Blues (and Jazz) This Saturday, July 4th, the Icelandic diva Andrea Gylfadóttir and the guitarist Eðvald Lárusson will be performing blues and jazz classics at Menningarhúsið Hof in Akureyri. Andrea Gylfadóttir is a famous Icelandic singer, who made a name for herself as the lead singer of the band Todmobile.

Where: Menningarhúsið Hof, Akureyri When: Saturday, July 4th, and Sunday, July 5th, 14:00 Price: 2,900 ISK

Jamie Laval is a renowned American violinist, composer, arranger and teacher and he is considered one of the finest practitioners of traditional Scottish music. Jamie Laval’s personal approach to Celtic folk music weaves together the simplicity of this age-old art form with virtuosity and modern style. His accessible sound appeals to families, youth, seniors and devotees of ethnic, jazz and classical music. The making of his trademark style began at the Victoria Conservatory of Music where he studied classical violin. He performed actively throughout the Pacific Northwest as a professional symphony musician, recording studio artist, improvising violinist, and contra dance fiddler. Eventually his passion for the haunting sounds of rural Irish and Scottish folk music usurped all other preoccupations, and he has devoted himself exclusively to Celtic music ever since. In 2002 Jamie won the U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championship and subsequently embarked on a full time touring career which today includes 100 engagements per year throughout the U.S. and Scotland. (jamielaval.com) Where: Hannesarholt (Grundarstígur 10) When: Tuesday, July 7th, 19:30 Price: 2,900 ISK www.mid.is

SS Sól and Reiðmenn Vindanna This Saturday, July 4th, the bands SS Sól and Reiðmenn Vindanna will be holding a real country ball at Boginn in Akureyri. The ball forms a part of the Junior Football Competition. Everyone over the age of 20 is welcome. SS Sól was one of Iceland’s most popular bands in the late ‘80s early ‘90s. It was founded in 1987 by Helgi Björnsson and Jakob Smári Magnússon.

Samaris and Mammút

Where: Boginn, Akureyri When: Saturday, July 4th, 23:00 Price: 2,500 ISK www.midi.is

Bubbi and Dimma will be performing at an off-venue concert for the Eistnaflug music festival this Thursday, July 9th. Bubbi is an Icelandic singer and songwriter, and one of the best-selling Icelandic musicians of all time. Dimma is an Icelandic metal band based in Reykjavík that has released four studio albums.

Dalí is a Pop/Rock band consisting of Erla Stefánsdóttir (vocals and bass), Helgi Reynir Jónsson (guitar) and Fúsi Óttars (drums). This Sunday, July 5th, Dalí will be performing at the Nordic House greenhouse for the 2015 Pikknikk concert series. Guests are also invited to bring food from Aalto Bistro to enjoy in the greenhouse during the concert.

This Thursday, July 9th, Samaris and Mammút will be performing at Gamla Bíó. Mammút was founded in 2003 as an all-female trio by the name of ROK. In 2004, the group expanded to a 5-member band, recruiting guitarist Arnar Pétursson and drummer Andri Bjartur Jakobsson, and adopting the new name Mammút. Since its inception, Mammút has released three albums: Mammút, Karkari and Komdu til mín svarta systir. In 2014, Mammút received the Icelandic Music Award for best album, best song and best album cover for their album Komdu til mín svarta systir. The band is known for its powerful live performances.

Samaris is an electronic music group from Iceland that was founded in 2011. Shortly afterwards, Samaris signed with the music label One Little Indian. The band consists of Áslaug Rún Magnúsdóttir (clarinet), Þórður Kári Steinþórsson (electronics) and Jófríður Ákadóttir (vocals).

Samaris often mixes “glacial electronica and pulse-like beats with haunting chanted vocals – the lyrics culled from nineteenth century Icelandic poems. The overall effect is simultaneously ancient and modern – a sensual sound filled with dark spaces in an alien atmosphere.” (tix.is)

Where: Egilsbúð (Neskaupstað) When: Thursday, July 9th, 20:00 Price: 3,000 ISK www.tix.is

Where: Nordic House When: Sunday, July 5th, 15:00 Price: Free www.nordichouse.is

Where: Gamla Bíó When: Thursday, July 9th, 21:00 (Doors open at 20:00) Price: 3,900 ISK www.tix.is

Bubbi and Dimma

Pikknikk Concert Series – Dalí

7 What’s happening

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What’s happening

“I think that whatever you do it’s important to be genuine, whether you’re a photographer or a writer. It’s about expressing yourself honestly.” – Saga Sig Interview: Ragnar Tómas Hallgrímsson Photographs: Allan Sigurðsson

9 What’s happening

I am no photographer. In fact, I am less than no photographer. I am a photographer in the same way that a cat is an aquatic animal. I have never improved upon the reality of any phenomenon with my camera. I manage always to shoot my subject from an unbecoming angle, in the wrong light and from a distance that brings out that subject’s worst features (also, my hands quiver like nobody’s surgeon). Whenever I brandish a camera, all of the potential victims of my inept eye slink away from my line of sight in order to preserve their dignity. I am hopeless – even according to my fiancé, who threatens to terminate our engagement every time I desecrate her divine aspect with my offensive lens. And so last week, gripped by despair, I sought the advice of Saga Sig, one of Iceland’s most renowned fashion photographers. Saga Sig has photographed a long list of models, artists and celebrities; whenever she raises her camera, people dive into her frames recklessly, heedless of their own health, in hopes of residing in one of her beautiful photographs forever. Yesterday, I rendezvoused with Saga Sig at the Babalú coffeehouse on Skólavörðustígur. I began by inquiring what I, as a hapless amateur photographer, could do to improve upon my pictures.

Saga Sig: First of all, a good photographer is born with a good eye.

(This is bad news for me.)

photography obsessively, both in terms of what’s going on at home and abroad. I read magazines and stay up to date. I love going to exhibitions and reading about art history. By being aware of what’s going on and observing great photos and art, you become better. It gradually trickles into your brain and translates into your work.

Ragnar Tómas: You studied art, at one point, right?

Saga Sig: Yes, I studied art the university before I moved to London.

Ragnar Tómas: And that gave you a kind of foundation?

Saga Sig: It’s also important to train the eye: to practice and take lots of photos, and to study photography and its history. I compose frames very consciously. I think about how the subject fits into the frame, and what the dialogue between the subject and the environment is – which is very important. It’s also important to read the light. But, ultimately, it comes down to the interplay between lots of different variables.

Saga Sig: As a photographer, or as an artist, or a writer, finding your own voice is what’s most important. It’s the most important thing that we do as artists. It takes time and requires a lot of work.

“I’m very keen on experiencing things without taking pictures.

Sometimes I just want to be.” – Saga Sig

Saga Sig: Definitely. I’m an art lover. When I lived in London, instead of going to the bar on Fridays after school, I would go the Tate Modern, leaf through the books and drink tea. I absolutely loved it.

Art brings me great joy.

“I’m an art lover. When I lived in London, instead of going to the bar on Fridays after school, I would go the Tate Modern, leaf through the books and drink tea.” – Saga Sig

Ragnar Tómas: I just saw a picture taken at the Louvre, in which people were crowded around the Mona Lisa, in that kind of familiar modern tableaux, where everyone was observing the painting through their phones.

Saga Sig: I was there the other day.

It’s nuts.

Ragnar Tómas: Do you have an opinion on this, as a photographer.

People’s experiences are increasingly confined to their cameras.

Saga Sig: I’m very keen on experiencing things without taking pictures. Sometimes I just want to be. But, of course, I also love capturing moments.

(I’m doomed.)

Saga Sig: And you have to know the camera that you’re using. You don’t need the most expensive camera in the world. If you’ve got a good eye, you can take great photos with your phone. But familiarizing yourself with the device that you’re using is important.

Ragnar Tómas: I like what you said about the dialogue between the subject and the environment.

Saga Sig: I spend a lot of time thinking about what goes into the frame and how the subject fits into it. Am I shooting from above or below? How do lines cut into the frame? Where’s the light coming from – from the front or the side? All of these things are very important.

Ragnar Tómas: I noticed when looking through your portfolio that the lines formed by walls, clothing and silhouettes are often times at a slant. When I take pictures, I tend to get stuck in this horizontal/vertical mode.

Saga Sig: Yes, that creates a kind of dynamic in the photo. But like I said, I don’t believe that you need the best camera in the world to be a great photographer, not at all. Of course, a good camera can help. Also, in terms of great photographs: I’m a bookworm. I follow

Ragnar Tómas: But it must be difficult to distinguish oneself as a photographer, and not just as a photographer; I’ve felt it as a writer, that somehow everyone is a writer these days. Everyone is self-publishing and writing essays and articles.

Ragnar Tómas: You started taking photographs very young. At the time, there were a lot fewer people taking photos.

But things have changed so much.

Today, everybody has a camera on their phones and is taking photos daily. Has this affected you, as a photographer, that the medium has become so prevalent?

Saga Sig: Hmmm. Colorful.

Textural. There’s a femininity to it. But it’s hard for me to say. I’m constantly maturing and evolving. But I think there’s a dynamism to it, a kind of joie de vivre: a palpability, perhaps; I try not to be too distant.

Ragnar Tómas: I’ve heard you mention that you like mixing styles.

Saga Sig: I like mixing black and white with color, and other things as well. But it’s difficult for me to describe my own style.

Ragnar Tómas: Do you think you’re style has evolved over time?

Saga Sig: Definitely. And my ambitions are always changing. The best thing that I’ve done as a photographer was to move to London. It gave me a new perspective on life. I had to struggle and scrimp, which gave me depth and character. Also, experiencing new people and a new culture did a lot for me, both as a photographer and a person.

Ragnar Tómas: I also read that when you moved to London you suffered a kind of creative block, in which you were unable to take photos. How did you resolve that crisis?

“As a photographer, or as an artist, or a writer, finding your own voice is what’s most important. It’s the most important thing that we do as artists.” – Saga Sig

Saga Sig: I think one becomes really exposed to everything that’s going on. There’s so much information constantly filtering into one’s brain.

But I’m a child of social media.

I started a blog when I moved to London, which is the reason why I was successful.

Projects came to me because of the blog. Instagram and social media have affected me positively, I would say, as a photographer. There are a lot more photographers today because it’s so accessible. But I think that it’s always the case that those who are doing great work will always stand out. I’m not scared of competition or anything like that.

(I then reveal my own vanity by referring to myself as a “writer” ...)

Ragnar Tómas: How would you describe your own style?

Saga Sig: I sort of forced myself to work through it. I created a project for myself, not connected to school and I just started. It was very difficult. But I kind of kicked my own ass and worked through it. It was weird; just moving to London kind of drained my energy.

(We then discuss Saga’s studies at the University of Arts in London.

She surprises me …)

Saga Sig: This fall, I’m going to be studying philosophy at the University of Iceland.

Ragnar Tómas: Really? That’s awesome. I’m a kind of philosophy nerd myself.

Saga Sig: I love learning new things. Currently, I’ve been working in the fashion/advertising industry for the past seven years, but now I’m ready for something new.

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What’s happening Saga Sig: Exactly those things. For me, as a photographer, to be invited to take part in the Leica exhibition was one of the highest honors. It was a three-day festival in Germany, involving me and nine other great photographers, some of whom were working for National Geographic. I was there as a kind of representative for fashion photography. I can’t describe how amazing it was. I get goosebumps just talking about it. And they gave me a camera, which I thought that I would never be able to afford …

Ragnar Tómas: And it was engraved with your name, right?

Saga Sig: Yes. And just to meet all these Leica photographers.

Like “Nick” Ut, who shot the Napalm Girl photograph in Vietnam: just to meet all these people was so inspirational and such an honor.

Ragnar Tómas: I can imagine.

Saga: Also, being Björk’s official photographer for a few concerts was incredible, and to experience and gain insight into how it all works.

Ragnar Tómas: It must have been pretty demanding.

Saga Sig: Yes, it was: trying to capture those moments. But it was incredible seeing her work, and her collaborators are also very inspirational.

Ragnar Tómas: Yeah, she’s really something.

Saga Sig: And the Inspired by Iceland campaign was my dream project, in some sense. To travel around the Icelandic countryside and photograph the landscape was lovely. But otherwise, I have had fun on all of my projects, whether I’m working with famous artists or people on the street. I’m a positive person. I enjoy everything, except unpleasant people.

(I laugh) Saga Sig: I’ve also been traveling the country with artist Andrea Maack, which is always fun. I love traveling. I spent three weeks in China once, which was extraordinary: to get the opportunity of observing a different culture.

Also, while I was in London I worked with a few Japanese superstars. I’ve done so many weird and fun projects. I’ve had quite a few adventures.

Ragnar Tómas: I can imagine. And so what’s next?

Saga Sig: I’m working on a documentary with a friend of mine. We’ve been interviewing people, but I’m not going to reveal too much. Also, I’ve got an upcoming shoot for Smáralind. I’ll be working with musicians and other artists. I always forget what I’ve been doing. I also just finished a campaign for Superga, an Italian footwear label.

I did that in London. All kinds of stuff. I shoot weddings.

Ragnar Tómas: What would be your dream shoot?

(I then launch into an evangelical rant about the gloriousness of podcasting, and how I’ve manage to educate myself during morning commutes and while mopping. I also relate an anecdote about a philosophy professor I met at the University of Iceland who confessed to using philosophy podcasts as teaching material. Our conversation then segues to Þingvellir …)

photographs. I was eight. My dad owned a camera and was pretty skillful. And so I developed a kind of compulsion; photography for me is like hoarding, collecting things: landscapes and sunsets. That’s how it all started.

Ragnar Tómas: You grew up in Þingvellir, right?

Saga Sig: Originally, I was going to become a doctor. I was enrolled into the mathematics program at MR (an Icelandic junior college). Then, when I was 17 or 18, and had been studying proofs for like 20 hours a day, I thought to myself “whoa, this is not what I want to be doing.” I’m a Libra, so I have a hard time making decisions, except when it comes to the big decisions in life. So I decided to transfer to Verzló (another junior college), where I became involved in the photography club. And I fell in love. I loved everything about it: the bustle; the fact that no day is the same; working with people, etc. I loved it.

Saga Sig: I spent my first years at Skálholt (a historical church site, which was one of the most important places in Iceland). Then when I was five we moved to Þingvellir (the former site of Iceland’s parliament, also one of the most important places in Iceland, historically speaking).

We lived there for five years. My mother was a ranger. It was quite the adventure. We lived in a turf house, right in central Þingvellir. It really shaped me as a person, both in terms of experiencing nature and living in solitude. I remember hearing the “frost explosions” when I was a child: these loud explosions when the lake freezes and the ice cracks, which was amazing. I also recall the interplay between light and nature, which was unique.

And there were also times when royalty would visit and we would give them flowers. All of these things served as a kind of gasoline to my creative fire. I wasn’t playing with other kids; I was just reading and playing in nature.

It was amazing. It was the reason why I started taking

Saga Sig: I haven’t had much time for my own projects.

The past six or seven years have been just work. I went to school and was employed full time alongside of my studies. So I guess my dream project would be my own project. I’m very interested in still-life photography. Also, I’ve been doing sculptures.

Ragnar Tómas: Do you plan on publishing a book?

Ragnar Tómas: And when did you decide to become a photographer?

Ragnar Tómas: Awesome.

Saga Sig: I decided not to become a doctor. And I don’t think I’ll be changing my mind again.

Ragnar Tómas: What are you most proud of in your career?

You’ve photographed Björk; worked on the Inspired by Iceland campaign; the Leica exhibition.

Saga Sig: Yes, definitely. My ten-year plan is to shoot a movie. I’m interested in that.

Ragnar Tómas: Do you have a script ready?

Saga Sig: I’ve started writing. I have no experience in that department but it’s important just to start. I’m never afraid of just doing things. Maybe I’m crazy or courageous or something, but I try not to complicate things.

Ragnar Tómas: Yeah, and that’s how one learns.

(I then explain how I spent 5 years at the University studying writing and learned much more my first year trying to write on my own.)

Saga Sig: Whatever you do it’s important to be genuine, whether you’re a photographer or a writer. It’s about expressing yourself honestly.

On that note, our conversation ends. What a lovely person

11 What’s happening

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Enjoy.

ÞINGHOLTSSTRÆTI 1, ReykjavIk facebook.com/primoreykjavik Tel: +354 553 4200

Exhibitions

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What’s happening

Jacqueline with a Yellow Ribbon This Friday, July 3rd, the exhibition Jacqueline with a Yellow Ribbon will be opening at the National Gallery of Iceland. Jacqueline with a Yellow ribbon is a portrait

by Pablo Picasso, who was arguably one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. The portrait was inspired by his second wife, Jacqueline Roque Picasso, and the exhibition offers an insight the history of the portrait as well as into Picasso’s art. Jacqueline Roque Picasso, Picasso’s widow, gave the portrait of herself to Vigdís Finnbogadóttir and it became a part of the National Gallery’s collection in 1988. Since then, the portrait has been exhibited abroad more often than in Iceland. It is widely considered one of Picasso’s most unusual portraits, which explains its demand in the international art world. This will be a long term exhibition.

Where: National Gallery of Iceland When: Friday, July 3rd, 2015 – January 4th, 2016 Price: Adults - 1,200 ISK www.listasafn.is

Endurfæðing / Rebirth (Opening) The British artist Nikhil Nathan Kirsh will open the exhibition Rebirth at Gallery Fold this Saturday, July 4th.

In the words of Nikhil: “I call the exhibition’s visual art sequence Rebirth because the first painting came into existence during the birth of a clown. In his creativity, the clown is always in the process of creation that is driven by his own imperfection and his freedom to interact and play with the audience. My own experience as a clown has helped me to remove myself from various self-portraits, which I have either reflected myself in or found myself in.

Instead of these portraits, I have tried to follow the much softer voice of my heart. Rebirth is a new experience of a truth being formulated; a call for greater proximity to my audience; and a respect for their backgrounds.”

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 www.i8.is

Nikhil Nathan Kirsh was born in London in 1979. He studied at the University of Hertfordshire between the years 1997 - 1998 and completed a BA Honors degree in photography at the Manchester Metropolitan University in 2003. In 2007, Nikhil received a diploma in teaching with an emphasis on art instruction from Brighton University and he finished a MA degree from the same university in 2009.

Where: Gallerí Fold When: Saturday, July 4th, 14:00 www.myndlist.is

A Woman’s Place A millennium after women gained the right to vote, and to be candidates, in parliamentary elections, the National Museum of Iceland looks back and asks, “What have women in Iceland been doing for the past century? How have their circumstances changed – and why? And what is a woman’s place, after all?” (www.thjodminjasafn.is).

Exhibition Design: Brynhildur Pálsdóttir and Magnea Guðmundsdóttir Text: Kristín Svava Tómasdóttir Graphic Design: Ármann Agnarsson and Helgi Páll Melsted Exhibition Committee: Bryndís Sverrisdóttir, Brynhildur Pálsdóttir, Kristín Svava Tómasdóttir, Lilja Árnadóttir, Magnea Guðmundsdóttir, Þorbjörg Br. Gunnarsdóttir.

Where: National Museum of Iceland When: June 6th – December 31st, 2015 (Hours: 10:0017:00 this summer) Price: 1,500 ISK www.thjodminjasafn.is

I – Valdimar Thorlacius The exhibition I by photographer Valdimar Thorlacius is currently on display at the National Museum of Iceland.

The exhibition, which was a part of Valdimar’s final project at the Icelandic School of Photography, features portraits of Icelandic loners, hermits and recluses and of their living quarters, providing a glimpse into the life of those who live alone in rural and urban Iceland. The subjects of Valdimar’s exhibition are either individuals who have chosen to live alone, or who have been abandoned, or remained behind as their loved ones moved away.

Where: National Museum of Iceland When: June 6th – December 31st, 2015 (Hours: 10:0017:00 this summer) Price: 1,500 ISK www.thjodminjasafn.is

Hústaka / Squat Ekkisens and company will be squatting in Fjarðarbraut 46, in Stöðvarfjörður on the days July 7th – July 12th.

Artists: Anton Logi Ólafsson Freyja Eilíf Logadóttir Gylfi Freeland Sigurðsson Halla Birgisdóttir Nína Óskarsdóttir Sara Björg Bjarnadóttir and more.

The exhibition is a part of the Pólar Festival, July 7th – July 12th.

This Saturday, July 4th, the third installment of the Kunstschlager summer-exhibition series opens in the D Gallery at the Reykjavík Art Museum (Hafnarhúsið, Harbor House). The third installment will be the exhibition Mynd / Hlutur (Picture / Object) featuring works by artists Áslaug Íris Katrín Friðjónsdóttir and Guðlaug Mía Eyþórsdóttir.

Where: Fjarðarbraut 46, Stöðvarfjörður When: Tuesday, July 7th – Sunday, July 12th (exhibition opens on July 11th at 15:00)

Where: Reykjavík Art Museum (Tryggvagata 17, 101 Reykjavík) When: Saturday, July 4th – Sunday, July 19th, 15:00

Mynd / Hlutur

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Exhibitions

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What’s happening

Pólar Festival Nowhere Else / Hvergi annarsstaðar Nowhere Else is an exhibition curated by Sirra Sigrún Sigurðardóttir. The exhibition features eight international artists and one biologist. The title of the exhibition refers to The Pale Blue Dot, one of the most significant photographs taken in history, which was captured 25 years (1990) ago by the Voyager 1 spacecraft. At the moment when Voyager 1 was about to leave our solar system, the cameras on Voyager 1 were turned around and the Earth was photographed from a distance of 6 billion kilometers. In the photograph, Earth was merely a tiny speck of dust wafting in a ray of sunlight, enveloped by the darkness of outer space. After the photograph was published, the cosmologist Carl Sagan wrote one of the most influential sentences of the last century, wherein he manages to articulate the ice-cold reality presented by the photograph: “Look again at that dot.

That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives.”

With their works in this exhibition, the artists engage in a dialogue with this

idea. In the exhibition, The Pale Blue Dot photograph serves as a kind of beginning.

It is the source that emanates light, which changes our conceptions of ourselves: a ray of light that reveals the differing, and yet interwoven, aspects of human existence in the modern world, whether in terms of environmental, economic, political or social issues – from the personal to the universal – real and imaginary voyages that more often than not come to an end in our own backyards.

Contributors: Hannes Lárusson, Guido van der Werve, Hekla Dögg Jónsdóttir, Mathias Kessler, Ragnheiður Gestsdóttir, Ragnar Már Nikulásarson, Sigurður Guðjónsson, Árni Einarsson and Sirra Sigrún Sigurðardóttir.

Curated by Sirra Sigrún Sigurðardóttir Where: The Factory in Hjalteyri When: Friday, July 3rd – Sunday, July 26th (Opens July 3rd, 17:00-21:00) Hours: Open daily except Mondays, 14:00-17:00.

Pólar is a culinary and cultural festival held in Stöðvarfjörður (in east Iceland).

The Pólar Festival was held for the first time in 2013 in collaboration with the town festival Maður er manns gaman.

The aim of the festival was to introduce Stöðvarfjörður to people, and people to Stöðvarfjörður. If you are unfamiliar with Stöðvarfjörður than it is one of those irresistible fjords in the east of Iceland, south of Fáskrúðsfjörður and north of Breiðdalsvík. The town itself slumbers cozily in the north end of the fjord and it

takes care of its own. The primary emphasis of the festival is creativity and culinary art, with an additional emphasis being placed on sustainability and local culture.

In collaboration with a diverse group of talented individuals, a colorful program of events and workshops has been created.

This will be a bona fide celebration!

Where: Stöðvarfjörður When: Tuesday, July 7th – Sunday, July 12th, 2015

CAUTION (We place this caveat here, among the featured art exhibitions, for the benefit of the reader): Please be warned that art is a dangerous thing; a perilous thing; and should only be observed with the utmost care and caution. Individuals who observe art, worthy art, jeopardize their own ignorance and put at risk that innate conception of themselves which says that they occupy a privileged position within the Universe. Often, such individuals begin to feel less like avaricious, self-interested individuals and more like members of a vast, catholic tribe, until, gradually, they become friendlier towards animals; more solicitous about nature; and more troubled by grand social injustices.

Gourmet Experience

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What’s happening

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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What’s happening

Sandholt Bakery Reykjavík Chips There is a tradition of discontent among singers and celebrities. They are not content with being singers and celebrities, merely, but must also become other things – restaurateurs, for example. And so in 2002, Jennifer Lopez opened Madres in California; in 2007, Justin Timberlake opened Southern Hospitality in New York; in 2008, Eva Longoria opened the LA Eaterie in Los Angeles; and now, Icelandic musicians Friðrík Dór and Ólafur Arnalds (along with two others) have opened Reykjavík Chips in downtown Reykjavík (Vitastígur 10). Reykjavík Chips distinguishes itself from other restaurants in its dedication to the French fry (chips). Reykjavík Chips is so dedicated to the French fry, in fact, that it casts the French fry into a starring role. There is

nothing on the menu besides the French fry. A few days ago, SKE dropped by for a taste. We discovered that the French fries (or chips) at Reykjavík Chips are cooked Belgian style and come with an assortment of sauces. We then perused the menu and ordered the fries and a soda offer and chose the Samurai (Chili Mayo) Sauce to go with it. Having licked the upside-down pyramidal wrapper clean, we reached our verdict: in the orchestral symphony that is the Reykjavík food scene, the French fries at Reykjavík Chips are fully qualified to sing lead vocals. We walked out wondering if there were other side dishes that deserved to be elevated to the status of main course; Reykjavík Onion Rings anyone?

REYKJAVÍK CENTRUM

Elegant bistro menu Service with a smile Cozy atmosphere Great location

www.cafeparis.is

There is something wonderful about the sour-dough bread at Sandholt.

It is so wonderful, in fact, that every now and again one of our staff members at SKE is inspired to drive to Reykjavík from Hafnarfjörður for the sake of it – passing a slew of fine bakeries on his way, and looking, generally, like an idiot. Located on Laugavegur 36, the Sandholt bakery not only offers a selection of fine bread, but a wide variety of pastries and cakes as well. Last weekend, SKE dropped by at Sandholt for a sample. When we arrived, at just past eight in the morning, we took a number and waited in the line patiently. When our turn came to order, we purchased half a loaf of the sour-dough bread and a caramel donut. On our way home, we stopped by at Bónus (grocery store) on Laugavegur and purchased some blue cheese and blueberry jam, along with a six-pack of Kókómjólk (chocolate milk). At home, we proceeded to toast the bread and spread the blue cheese and jam on top of it. We glutted ourselves shamelessly on the bread. As we lay around the kitchen table, like soldiers scattered around a detonated landmine, our minds drifted to that perspicacious Louis C.K. quote: “I don’t stop eating when I’m full. The meal isn’t over when I’m full. It’s over when I hate myself.” … Oh, Louis, you are so wise, like a slightly convex, redheaded American Buddha.

K-Bar We Icelanders are not a religious people. The nearest to religion that we have come is the worship of Colonel Sanders of the Kentucky Fried Chicken denomination. We Icelanders are devoted to the saintly Colonel Sanders in the way that other nations are devoted to Jesus, Muhammad or the Buddha. Every week, we congregate at his various red and white temples and pay tribute to his holiness with our wallets.

We are then compensated for our donations with chicken wings and cups of soda (which are the equivalent to bread and wine in the Christian tradition, that is to say, the Eucharist). Over the course of our lives, SKE has been a devoted adherent to this single faith, eviscerating countless buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken wings so as to pay our homeage. Last week, however, our faith was tested. While strolling leisurely down Laugavegur (Iceland’s main shopping street), we caught a whiff of something heavenly from the doors of K-Bar (Laugavegur 74).

We entered. We inquired as to the smell. We were told that it originated from baskets of KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) Wings. We ordered. We waited. The wings arrived in generous portions. We stuffed our faces and smeared our cheeks with streaks of red ochre (sauce), each bite a tiny neighorhood of heaven. We exited as reformed individuals, forced to acknowledge the existence of two churches: the orthodox Kentucky Fried Chicken – and the protestant, unorthodox K-Bar. All praises due to K-Bar and its holy chicken wings! #GodSanders #JesusKChrist

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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

Design

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What’s happening

Bogi Chair Design: Sturla Már Jónsson

Chair with Vinyl Black Seat Design: Daníel Magnússon

Möskvar Light Design: HAF Studio A collaboration between Icelandic netmakers and HAF studio, Möskvar light is a reinterpretation of the classic crystal chandelier and is developed from herring nets.

Chair for home and institutions.

Handmade chair, painted with Colron oil (no color) and featuring a stainless steel foot ring.

HAF by Hafsteinn Julíusson is an Icelandic design studio run by designers Karítas Sveinsdóttir and Hafsteinn Júlíusson. The company was founded in 2010 in Milan, Italy, but is currently located in the fish packing district in Reykjavik.

Sturla Már Jónsson was born in Reykjavík in 1947.

He graduated as a Furniture- and Interior Designer from the London College of Furniture.

Daníel Magnússon graduated from the Reykjavík School of Art and Handcraft in 1987. He has been exhibiting his work since 1989.

www.hafstudio.is

sturlamarjonsson.com

icelandicmarket.com

Wooden Spectacle Frame Design: Har Eyewear A wooden spectacle frame handmade in Iceland. The wood that is used is all legally sourced and comes from sustainable forestry. Har’s collection comes in maple, walnut, oak and birch burl. Due to the diverse patterns and colors of wood, each frame of Har eyewear is unique.

Based in Hafnarfjörður Iceland, Har eyewear produces premium, hand-made eyewear out of wood.

The Handknitting Association of Iceland In 1977, a few Icelandic women, who had used their knitting to supplement family incomes, decided to join forces. Their aim was to establish an organization that could facilitate a better and more extensive marketing of their products. Thus, the Handknitting Association of Iceland was born.

Soon after our association was established, we opened a store on Skólavörðustígur 19 to sell our members’ woollen goods. Today, the Association operates two additional stores in Reykjavík.

From the very start our motto has been, “Buy directly from the producer”. We maintain a high standard, with each handmade garment being quality checked before it reaches the shelves of our shops. Our customers can count on the fact that they’re buying quality products made from unique Icelandic materials – directly from the producer.

Besides offering a wide selection of traditional hand-knitted Icelandic sweaters, the Handknitting Association also sells special designs and a variety of woollen products from leading Icelandic manufacturers. Naturally, with hundreds of

active members, our flagship store located on Skólavörðustígur 19 (in one of the oldest parts of town) has become the premier location for buying Icelandic wool, patterns and supplies.

The Handknitting Association of Iceland is dependent on tourists, many of whom are interested in goods that are made of wool from the Icelandic sheep, which is very special. Tourists are also fond of the idea of buying directly from the manufacturer, and since the dawn of our association, we have been busy knitting and selling high-quality goods to tourists.

Due to the small size of our nation, and our limited production, Icelandic knitted goods are unique. Our old knitting patterns have remained the same for over 50 years.

Please be aware than when buying knitted goods from other vendors that if the Handknitting Association of Iceland is not mentioned on the label, it is probably not made in Iceland – even if the label reads “designed in Iceland”.

www.facebook.com/hareyewear

Silent Village Design: Brynjar Sigurðarson The Silent Village by Brynjar Sigurðarson is a collection of furniture made using ropes, employing the traditional craft methods of Icelandic fishermen.

Brynjar Sigurðsson recently won the Swiss Design Awards. He is a 29year old product designer based in Switzerland. Having studied at the Iceland Academy of the Arts and ECAL, he currently teaches at ECAL and runs his own design studio. biano.is

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We proudly present our latest collection. The Icelandic designed Tradition watches are stylish and are available in a range of color combinations. See the whole collection on michelsenwatch.com.

Laugavegur 15 - 101 ReykjavĂ­k - Tel. 354 511 1900 - www.michelsenwatch.com

Things to do

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What’s happening

Pearls of Icelandic Song Pearls of Icelandic Song is a concert series held in Harpa in which guests are presented with a program of Iceland’s most beloved songs, folksongs, hymns and national songs.

The concert series features young Icelandic performers, many of whom have already attracted attention for their work in Iceland and abroad. All of the songs are performed in Icelandic but introduced and annotated in English.

Each concert lasts about an hour.

Where: Harpa When: Ongoing throughout the summer (see website for details) Price: 3,900 ISK www.harpa.is

One Station for the Nation 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 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 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, which means that 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 its webpage: www.radioicelandfm.is

2015 Big Kahuna Competition at Prikið Every year for the past five years, the Big Kahuna Eating Competition has been held at Prikið. This year the tradition continues. The rules are simple: The first participant to finish the largest burger on the menu, the Big Kahuna (double burger served with ham, cheese, bacon, pepperoni, hamburger sauce, lettuce, onions and tomatoes) wins. The burger is also served with a side of fries and a hearty, five-dollar milkshake. The winner receives a gift certificate for ten free Big Kahuna meals and also takes home the Kahuna perpetual trophy.

Everyone is welcome to compete. Send an email to bokanir@prikid.is to sign up.

Where: Prikið When: Saturday, July 4th, 15:00

Algera Fiesta Flow This Saturday, July 4th, Algera Studio will be throwing a Fiesta Flow celebration. The party will be held in the Árbær industrial neighorhood in Reykjavík and it will feature a visual arts exhibition and a concert. The Egill Skallagrímsson Brewery will be offering the new Double Black Smirnoff Ice and the Sólbert beer while supplies last.

The Prikið food truck will also be there.

MUSICIANS: Alvia Islandia DJ Flugvél og Geimskip Gísli Pálmi Herra Hnetusmjör Lord Pusswhip Shades of Reykjavík Vaginaboys 7berg Lafontaine will be DJ-ing in between acts VISUAL ARTISTS:

KRÁS Flea Market This Saturday, July 4th, the KRÁS flea market opens once again after having hibernated through this winter (excepting, of course, the Christmas KRÁS, which was great). At KRÁS everyone can find something to their liking, young and old. 12 well-known restaurants in Reykjavík will bring their chefs and serve food on the street, presenting street-style variations to their usual dishes. The KRÁS flea market will offer live music, wine and beer, along with a lively atmosphere throughout the day.

Where: Fógetagarðurinn (On the corner of Aðalstræti and Kirkjustræti) When: Saturday, July 4th, 13:00-18:00

Auður Ómarsdóttir Anni Ólafsdóttir Kristín Þorláksdóttir Lukka Sigurðardóttir Nanna M.B. Snorradóttir Unnar Ari Sunneva Ása Weisshappel Algera Studio would also like to announce the newest member of their family: Shades of Reykjavík. Together, the aforementioned artists plan on celebrating summer, life and art! Being hard-working is sexy.

Where: Fossháls 9, 110 Reykjavík When: Saturday, July 4th, 16:00-01:00 Price: Free

Bernhöfts Bazaar Bernhöfts Bazaar is a new and exciting outdoor market located in downtown Reykjavík. The bazaar will be held on Saturdays from the 20th of June till the 25th of July from 13:00-18:00. Each market will have a theme of its own: Music, Plants, Skateboards & Bikes, Toys, “Made by Granny” and Art. For this third market, the theme will be Skateboards & Bikes, in which bicycle enthusiasts and skateboarders will be selling clothes, caps, skateboards and spare parts, while also offering repairs and advice. Guests can bring their bicycles to the wash and have it cleaned and polished in exchange for a reasonable fee. Artists will

also be designing decks that will be for sale. A DJ will be spinning some tunes and the label MYNKA will set up a ramp and a rail for “fix gear”, BMX and skateboards. Boys and girls are encouraged to show up and skate in the park.

The restaurant Torfan will be selling its famous lobster soup, along with cakes and biscuits, beer, white wine and soda.

Where: Bernhöftstorfa Square (On the corner of Bankastræti and Lækjargata) When: Saturday, June 4th, 13:00-18:00

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A GEOTHERMAL ENERGY EXHIBITION

WORTH A VISIT

Stop by the Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant and see how they harness the geothermal energy.

Experienced guides are on-hand to provide informative presentations backed by multimedia shows about sustainable green energy as a global energy source and the geology of Iceland.

Origin of the Geothermal energy – The production process – An illustrated guide to Hellisheiði – The earth core Exclusive collection of minerals and stones. An excellent hiking and outdoor destination - we provide information on hiking around the Hengill area. Enjoy our coffee shop and browse through a selection of educational material in the souvenires corner.

Hönnun: adalheiduro@simnet.is

Open daily from 9:00 – 17:00. We are about 20 minutes drive from Reykjavík on Route 1 towards Hveragerði.

More information: www.orkusyn.is Tel + 354 412 5800 e-mail: orkusyn@orkusyn.is Gps 64°02”248’- 21°24”079´

Ske

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Genealogical Porn – 874-930 “To recount the exploits of one’s deceased forefathers is to say in a roundabout way that, ‘even though I am a nobody, who has accomplished nothing, somewhere, sometime, an ancestor of mine was a somebody who accomplished something.’”

Ingólfur Arnarson was the first settler of Iceland.

He arrived in 874 AD. Ingólfur’s arrival to Iceland inspired a legion of like-minded fools to follow in his footsteps. The era of these wretched immigrants, from 874 to 930 AD, is referred to by historians as The Age of Settlement. We know the identity of some of these individuals through the efforts of scribes, who preserved their names in the Book of Settlements in the 12th and 13th century. Scholars agree that this book was written primarily to establish the nobility of the authors’ ancestors so as to bend the ears of the younger generation with drawn out enumerations of their titles and achievements. The Book of Settlements is an important work – an invaluable work – which chronicles significant names and dates within the young nation’s early history; this being said, it is also the first book to deal almost exclusively in the field of genealogical porn*, and it has, through the ages, satisfied the unwholesome inclinations of

countless persons. A favorite passage among genporn enthusiasts is the following: “Ísleifr, son of Gizurr the White, was consecrated bishop in the days of Haraldr, king of Norway, son of Sigurðr, son of Hálfdánr, son of Sigurðr the Bastard ...” – a sentence which manages to involve six individuals in an event that ostensibly concerns only one – and is therefore the genealogical equivalent of an orgy.

Today, every Icelander possesses a kind of perverse enjoyment of genealogy, and is free to exercise said perversion on the website islendingabok.is – which exposes our ancestry as a diverse collection of murderers, scholars, rapists, diplomats, wise men and fools. *Famous addicts to gen-porn include the writer J.R.R. Tolkien, who was inspired by the Book of Settlements to experiment with his own brand of genealogical pornography and did so habitually during his illustrious career – often with dwarves.

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

At Public House Gastropub we put an emphasis on serving fun dining along with some quality ambience.

We use Icelandic ingredients but we add some japanese flair to our dishes because we like to have fun with our food and drinks.

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

TRY OUR PHGP TASTE OF ICELAND

Slippbarinn, Mýrargata 2 All days from 15:00 - 18:00 Beer - 500 ISK Wine - 500 ISK

I‘M TRAPPED Slow cooked LAMB SHANK doughnut | Apricot jam

Smurstöðin Restaurant, Austurbakki 2

LOL Cured PUFFIN with liquorice | Cherries | Blue cheese sauce

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

SENBAI Thyme smoked ARCTIC CHARR on a senbai cracker | Dill mayo | Chimichurri

TATAKI REINDEER TATAKI with Icelandic blue cheese | Smoked sour cream | Amazu ponzu

Loftið, Austurstræti 9

PUBLIC HOUSE GASTROPUB Laugavegur 24 | Tel. 555 7333 publichouse@publichouse.is #publichousegastropub publichouse.is

All days from 16:00 - 23:00 2 for 1

25 What’s happening

Made in Perlan

This croissant is among many other delicious offerings made in Perlan earlier today for you to enjoy with the spectacular view overseeing the city in any direction.

C

A

F

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Fashion

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What’s happening

Sindri Jensson

Hildur Ragnarsdóttir

Húrra Reykjavík

Einvera

Vans X Disney Collection 2015 Komono When people think about Belgium they usually think beer and chocolate. Small wonder: Belgium does both things well.

For the past few years, however, a “small” Belgian brand focusing on accessories has been making a name for itself in the fashion world: Komono. Komono was founded in 2011 by Raf Maes and Anton Janssen and it specializes in watches and sunglasses.

Not only are their products especially beautiful and well-made, but they come in elegant packages as well. As a result, many are surprised when they take a gander at the price tag, finding that, in comparison to similar products – Komono’s prices are considerably lower. But that’s not all.

Komono has also garnered attention for its

design, which is simultaneously classy and futuristic. During its five years of business, Komono has achieved well-deserved success and is currently being sold in over 1,400 stores worldwide, including such respected retailers as Collette in Paris.

Their selection is also amazing; Komono offers 236 different types of watches and 316 types of sunglasses. Over the past year, Húrra Reykjavík has been selling Komono products much to the joy of its customers.

The watches cost between 13,990-21,990 ISK and the sunglasses cost between 9,990-13,990 ISK. It will be interesting to see how this Belgian brand evolves in the future.

The newest fashion collaboration Vans X Disney was unveiled in June. This collection consists of shoes, accessories and clothing, both for adults and children.

What I love about the collection is that it not only features Mickey Mouse, but an assortment of Disney villains and princesses as well. When I was passing through a run-down shopping mall in the south of France (where the only store that

I was familiar with was Jack & Jones), I wandered into a tiny sports store and was greeted by this aforementioned, splendid collection. Given that Disney princesses formed a large part of my childhood, and given, also, that I was turning 26 the following month – I just had to have these shoes; I suppose that one cannot grow up too fast.

27 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

28

What’s happening

Streets of Reykjavík www.streetsofreykjavik.com

29 What’s happening

Cinema

30

What’s happening

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

HRÚTAR

JURASSIC WORLD

HUMAN CAPITAL

LAUGARÁSBÍÓ | ÁLFABAKKI KRINGLUBÍÓ | SAMBÍÓIN EGILSHÖLL SAMBÍÓIN AKUREYRI | SAMBÍÓIN KEFLAVÍK

SMÁRABÍÓ | LAUGARÁSBÍÓ BORGARBÍÓ AKUREYRI

SMÁRABÍÓ | HÁSKÓLABÍÓ LAUGARÁSBÍÓ | BORGARBÍÓ ÁLFABAKKI | SAMBÍOIN EGILSHÖLL

BÍÓ PARADÍS

8,2

98%

8,8

8,6

BÍÓ PARADÍS

SMÁRABÍÓ | LAUGARÁSBÍÓ

7,6

81%

SMÁRABÍÓ | LAUGARÁSBÍÓ

36%

6,2

70%

ENTOURAGE

SPY 1001 GRAMS

7,4

SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAY

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS

95%

BÍÓ PARADÍS

ÁLFABAKKI | KRINGLUBÍÓ | SAMBÍÓIN EGILSHÖLL SAMBÍÓIN AKUREYRI |

GIRLHOOD BÍÓ PARADÍS

7,4

30%

6,8

95%

87%

6,6

96%

7,6

SAN ANDREAS BAKK SMÁRABÍÓ | HÁSKÓLABÍÓ | LAUGARÁSBÍÓ | BORGARBÍÓ AKUREYRI

TOMORROWLAND

ÁLFABAKKA | KRINGLUBÍÓ

6,6

50%

ÁLFABAKKI SAMBÍÓIN, AKUREYRI

TED 2

SMÁRABÍÓ | LAUGARÁSBÍÓ

SMÁRABÍÓ | HÁSKÓLABÍÓ LAUGARÁSBÍÓ | KRINGLUBÍÓ | SAMBÍÓIN EGILSHÖLL | SAMBÍÓIN KEFLAVÍK | BORGARBÍÓ AKUREYRI

7,1

INSIDE OUT

48%

6,7

50%

8,9

98%

31 What’s happening

32

What’s happening

River Rafting Price from: 12.990 ISK

Go home with a story worth telling!

BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE NOW www.adventures.is Downtown Sales Office – Laugavegur 11 Open every day from 08:00-22:00

Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure Price from: 16.990 ISK

Glacier Hiking Day Tours Price from: 8.990 ISK

www.adventures.is | info@adventures.is | +354 562-7000 | Downtown Reykjavík Sales Office at Laugavegur 11 Rafting • Ice Climbing • Snorkeling • Diving • Glacier Hike • Canoeing • Hiking • Kayaking • Cycling • Surfing • Boat Ride • Hot Spring • Swimming • Climbing Super-Jeep • Caving • Horse Riding • Sightseeing • Snowmobile • Whale Watching • ATV • Incentive • Skiing • Mountain Hut • Camping • Combo Trips