Ske - #13 English version.

1 What’s happening

SKE Plans Your Perfect Day in Hafnarfjörður #13

Ske.is

Peak Inside for Further Details

On Perlan On Tourists, Toilets and Taxes, and Why Perlan is a Must-Visit Icelandic Landmark

14.08 2015—20.08 2015

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

“There’s no boss and there’s no leader.”

An Interview with the Icelandic Love Corporation

Ske

2

A “Perfect” Day Pt. 13 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. A few days ago, I experienced a day that was wonderful enough to predispose 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.

Back Problems Last Monday, as I was bending over a billiard table, attempting to pocket a particularly stubborn ball, a sharp pain shot down my lower back, causing me to emit a masculine, gorilla-like grunt (and not an effeminate high-pitch yelp). My body responded to the pain by rearranging itself into an awkward, asymmetrical position – and I became embarrassed by my out of true physical architecture. I could hardly stand; I could hardly walk; and when I tried to walk, I adopted the gait of an over-the-top thespian por­ traying a cartoon witch. Being a determined man, raised accord­ ing to the infallible wisdom of traditional gender stereotypes, I bit down hard and started off in the direction of the bedroom, all the while muttering to myself angrily and inventing crea­ tive obscenities under my breath (#BurtReynolds #JohnRambo).

Hobbling along in this lopsided posture, I made it eventually to my bed, where I called on my fiancé for help. When she arrived, she lingered inside the doorframe and shook her head, reminding me that this was the fourth time in two years that I had suffered this kind of unattractive back pain (later diagnosed as lumbago).

And yet I had done nothing to reform my ways (I sit too much and am always about to purchase a stand-up desk). The following morning, I called work and announced my impending absence, and spent the next two days in bedridden idleness lamenting my pitiable and immobile state. Anyhow, what I learned from the ordeal is this: As soon as a man cannot operate his bodily machinery naturally, he realizes that his health is everything; he gains a new perspective on his life; and he begins to incline towards gratitude. Leaf through the pages of our humble maga­ zine and celebrate your good health with a concert, an exhibition or an event. And if you are not in good health then I apologize for this unfortunate reminder; I feel like Kanye West at that concert, when he demanded that the gentleman in the wheelchair pay him due respect by standing up. #JoniMithcell #BigYellowTaxi

Ske Editors: ritstjorn@ske.is Advertisement: auglysingar@ske. is Interview: Atli Sigþórsson Interview Translation: Ragnar Tómas Hall­gríms­son Editorial: Ragnar Tómas Hall­gríms­ son Inter­viewee: Sigrún Hrólfsdóttir Photographs: Allan Sigurðsson Streets of Reykja­vík: Birta Rán Printing: Ísafol­ darprentsmiðja Layout: Greta Þorkelsdóttir Design: Hlynur Ingólfsson, Gebo ehf.

1. Suðurbæjarlaug Dinosaur Scrotum – 10:00

3. Pallett

In our previous editions of our “Perfect Day” column, we have mainly focused our attention on Reykjavík – our beloved capital city. By doing so, we have shamelessly neglected all of the other wonderful towns in Iceland. We have turned our backs on them as if they were promiscuous ex-girlfriends (or boyfriends) who diddled our best friends. But we have made our amends. Last week, SKE spent a full-day in Hafnarfjörður: Iceland’s third most populous city, and we began our day with a swim ... There are three swimming pools in Hafnarfjörður, but we have a soft spot for Suðurbæjarlaug (the south-side pool). Suður­ bæjarlaug consists of an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, three hot-tubs of varying temperature, a mushroom hot-tub that occasionally produces a small waterfall, a sauna and a steambath. We paid admission and entered the locker room. We divested ourselves of our clothes and tried to avert our eyes from the sagging ballsack of a skinny octogenarian. We swam a few laps, finding it dif­ ficult to cleanse our memories of aforementioned ballsack; the dinosaur scrotum had etched itself into our minds. Eventually we managed. We fol­ lowed our swim with a pleasant 20-minute soak in the hot-tubs. It was delightful.

Pallett is a snug little coffeehouse that opened in downtown Hafnarfjörður in 2012. At the time, it offered much needed competition to the Súfistinn coffeehouse located across the street – and it still does. Pallett is operated by a coffee aficinado who has been crowned Barista of the Year in Iceland at least four times. As suggested by the coffeehouse’s name, the interior design revolves largely around the quiet charm of the wooden pallet. We ordered ourselves a cappuccino and a biscuit, and took our seat on the corner sofa. There was an air of quiet and calm at Pallett, and we conversed about the upcoming presidential elections in the US as we waited for our coffee. The two cappuccinos arrived shortly. We learned that the two cappuccinos were refined, warm and intelligently made – unlike presidential hopeful Donald Trump.

2. Helgafell Mount Doom –11:30 There are several wonderful hiking trails in Hafnarfjörður. For today’s trip, we chose Hel­ gafell. Helgafell is a mountain – a small mountain, as far as mountains go – for it is about 25 times smaller than Everest. Whereas Everest has an air of danger and loftiness, Helgafell has an air of innocuousness and friendliness; it is essentially a big hill peeking over Hafnarfjörður from the south (the hike is considered to be a difficulty level one on a scale from one to three). In order to reach Helgafell, one must drive towards Kaldársel and park one’s vehicle above it. Just before noon, we parked our vehicle and began our hike. We marched through the desolate landscape like a pair of fellowship rejects (that was a Lord of the Rings reference). After about a 15 minute hike, we grew weary; our shoes became leaden; we are wildly out of shape. With every step we took Hel­ gafell began to transform from innocuous dwarf mountain into a fiery Mount Doom (another Lord of the Rings reference). It took us about an hour to reach the summit, at which point we collapsed onto the ground. Instead of throwing a ring into a volcanic crater (again, Lord of the Rings), we threw our hats in the ring; we vowed to renounce physical exercise forever. Fortunately, we had packed ourselves a lunch. We regained our health by way of a few donuts and some Diet Coke. About 30 minutes later, we rolled down the mountain and crawled back into our car.

Coffee – 14:30

4. Hafnarborg Ceramics – 15:30 Hafnarborg is an art museum that was founded on June 1st, 1983 – a date which marked the 75th anniversary of Hafnarfjörður’s city charter. On that date, pharmacist Sverrir Magnússon and his wife Ingibjörg Sigurjónsdóttir gave the city of Hafnarfjörður their art collection and thereby laid the foundation for the museum, which is located on Strandgata. We devoted our time at Hafnar­ borg to the ceramics exhibition. The ceramics ex­ hibition is comprised of various ceramic artworks from the museum’s collection. SKE’s artistic knowledge is confined wholly to film, literature and music. And so we felt unqualified to judge the merit of this particular exhibition. We shall only say that we enjoyed the piece in the center of the room; it resembled the arthritic claws of some ancient beast.

5. Gamla Vínhúsið Horse Fillet – 19:00 Gamla Vínhúsið is a restaurant that is located in Hafnarfjörður on Vesturgata (and also in Reykja­ vík on Laugavegur). Gamla Vínhúsið specializes in grilled steaks and boasts a lengthy wine list. It is a wooden building, painted black, with a red gable roof, and outside the restaurant there is a statue of a dapper gentleman who has been hired as its permanent usher. At around 7 o’clock in the evening, we showed up to the restaurant having previously made a reservation. The restaurant was quite busy. We were seated in the corner by the window and were handed menus. We chose some garlic bread as an appetizer and a horse fillet pepper steak as our entrée, along with two glasses of Amarone. The garlic bread was delicious and horse fillet pepper steak was delightful. The prices were quite reasonable as well.

It was a perfect day.

Visit Mývatn and experience the geothermal baths.

www.jardbodin.is | tel. 464-4411

Music

4

What’s happening

Under the Sea Concert dj. flugvél og Geimskip This Saturday, August 15th, DJ flugvél og geimskip celebrates the release of her third album, Nótt á Hafsbotni (Night at the Bottom of the Ocean) at Húrra. The event is described thusly (sans crazy emoticons):

FM Belfast

Keflavíkurnætur

Tjarnarbarinn re-opened last Tuesday, August 4th and will remain open be­ tween 17:00-23:00 every night. Tjarnar­ barinn is the same warm, artistic and strange theater bar that it has always been, only with new managers and new emphasis. In order to usher in a new sea­ son of theater, FM Belfast will be throw­ ing a concert this Saturday, August 15th.

FM Belfast has recently returned to Iceland after a tour in Germany. They are in rare form.

Keflavíkurnætur is a summer concert series that wil be held in the Beatle town itself (Keflavík) from the 14th to the 16th of August. Keflavíkurnætur will feature a series of concerts and balls in Keflavík's city center during the upcoming and hopefully bright summer weekend. Venues include Center, Ráin, Paddy's and Bar 230. Many of Ice­ land's most famous bands and musicians will be perform­ ing and so everyone should find something to their liking.

Performers: Helgi Björns, Sigga Beinteins, Björgvin Halldórsson, Amaba Dama, Matti Matt, DJ Muscleboy, FM95BLÖ, Steindi Jr., Bent, Agent Fresco, Friðrik Dór, Skítamórall, Ingó & Veðurguðirnir, Óli Geir, Love Guru, Von and more.

Where: Tjarnarbarinn (Tjarnargarata 12) When: Saturday, August 15th, 21:00 Price: 2,000 ISK (2,500 ISK at the door) www.tjarnarbio.is

Where: Keflavík When: Friday, August 14th – Sunday, August 16th Price: 4,900 – 6,500 ISK www.midi.is

"Guests can expect a CRAZY PARTY: lots of decorations, unique refreshments and the best sort of electronic horror music.

A TRUE CELEBRATION for the eyes, ears, mouth and nose!

A surprise happening will pleasantly surprise guests and there­ fore no more will be said at this point.

The theme of the new album, as well as the concert, is the deep ocean and guests are asked to bear that in mind. It would be nice to see everyone participate in the theme in some way so that the atmosphere and the experience will be as amazing as possible.

Inspiration for dressing and getting into the mood: darkness; aquamarine and deep blue; octopi and jelly fish; shine and shim­ mer; sand; seasnakes; fluorescent strange fish; Atlantis; and a portal to other worlds.

Hip-Hop Hudson will warm the crowd up with a few old hits.

He's and old-timer and plays old-fashion Hip-Hop mixed with hockey music. RATTOFER plays terrific dance music into the night.

Tickets sold by the entrace."

Where: Húrra When: Saturday, August 15th, 21:00 Price: 2,000 ISK www.tix.is

Welcome to

Einar Ben In the heart of Reykjavik

Ensemble Adapter Ensemble Adapter is a German-Icelandic ensemble for contempo­ rary music based in Berlin. Adapter Ensemble has now teamed up with the Cycle Music and Arts Festival for a special concert. The concert's program will provide a window into what's going on in the contemporary music scene and will feature works by the recipi­ ent of the 2014 Nordic Council Music Prize, Simon Steen-Andersen, who is a special guest at the festival.

Veltusund 1 Ingólfstorg

einarben.is

tel: 511 5090

einarben @einarben.is

Where: Salurinn, Kópavogur When: Saturday, August 15th, 20:00 Price: 2,000 ISK www.tix.is

Explore the wonders of

WESTMAN ISLANDS

with Viking Tours and Grey Line

Gray Line: Pompey Of The North tour The Gray Line Iceland Vestmannaeyjar-Pompeii of the North tours offers round trip transportation with complimentary pick up and drop off for all major hotels and guesthouses in Reykjavik.

Included in the tour is the ferry boat, a guided natural history bus tour around Heimaey Island as well as a boat tour around all the major islands that comprise the Westman Islands.

Lunch is also included at the restaurant Gott.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the extraordinary history and bird life of the Westman Islands with Gray Line Iceland. www.grayline.is

WESTMAN ISLANDS

Phone +354-488-4884 www.vikingtours.is

www.facebook.com/VikingToursHeimaey

A4 auglyﾌ《ing.indd 1

27/07/15 13:37

Music

6

What’s happening

Patti Smith In 1975, Patti Smith released her debut album Horses. Since then, Horses has been considered one of the best albums in pop music history. It was voted the 44th best album of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. Now, 40 years later, Patti Smith will celebrate her classic record with a concert tour whose main theme is Horses. According to Smith, the concert tour will be a, "true, proud celebration," in which she will be performing the album in its entirety. The concert series will feature two of the band's original members, Lenny Kaye and Jay Dee Daugherty, along with the bass guitarist/keyboardist Tony Shanahan, who has been a member of Patti's band for 20 years.

Where: Harpa When: Monday, August 17th, 20:00 Price: 6,990 – 9,990 ISK www.tix.is

One Week Wonder & Hugar

Finnbogi Pétursson and Stefán Finnbogason Finnbogi Pétursson studied at the Iceland Academy of the Arts and at the Jan van Eyck Akademie. Finnbogi is known for creating works of art that combine music, sculpture, architecture, drawing and kineticism. He has partaken in a number of exhibitions since the early '90s, including the 4th International Istanbul Biennial, the 14th Marrakech Biennial and the 2001 Venice Biennial. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Carnegie Art prize.

Where: Kópavogur Art Museum, Gerðarsafn When: Saturday, August 15th, 18:00 Price: Free

Next Tuesday, August 18th, the band One Week Wonder and Hugar will perform at Húrra. One Week Wonder will be performing brand new material from their upcoming EP album, which will also be their debut album. The album was recorded last spring in Berlin, and the members of the band are es­ pecially pleased with the outcome and are excited to perform. One Week Wonder plays progressive '70s rock and are quite dedicated to that particulare genre.

Members: Magnús Benedikt Sigurðsson (vocals, keyboard and organ), Árni Guðjónsson (synthesizer, electric bass, guitar and background vocals) and Helgi Kristjánsson (drums and guitar) Where: Húrra When: Tuesday, August 18th, 21:00 Price: 1,500 ISK

Kristín Lárusdóttir 15. – 30. ágúst

Sögur málverkasýning

Gunnella og Lulu Yee Opið virka daga 10–18, laugard. 11–16, sunnud. 14–16 Rau›arárstígur 14 · sími 551 0400 · www.myndlist.is

Sýningin opnar laugardaginn 15. ágúst kl. 15 Allir velkomnir

Kristín Lárusdóttir is a classically trained cellist who has studied baroque music, jazz and the viola da gamba. Kristín has performed with the Icelandic Opera, Sinfóníuhljómsveit Norðurlands (the Symphony Orchestra of Norther Iceland) and is a member of Fimm Í Tangó and Reykjavík Baroque. In April of 2012, Kristín debuted the piece Syvati by John Tavener in Iceland alongside of the Icelan­ dic chamber choir. Kristín's performance was critically acclaimed.

For the past 19 years, Kristín has mainly been teaching the cello and performing. In spring 2013, Kristín completed a degree in electronic music with honors. Kristín released her first solo album Hefring in the fall of 2013, which she composed, arranged and performed by herself. She also recorded and mixed the album.

Where: Mengi (Óðinsgata 2) When: Friday, August 14th, 21:00 Price: 2,000 ISK

7 What’s happening

Gæran Music Festival

The Queen Extravaganza

Gæran is a music festival that is held in Sauðárkrókur in northwest Iceland. The fes­ tival takes place in the country's only tannery, Loðskin. The concert hall is actually a repository for sheepskin 11 months of the year – but in August the sheepskin are temporarily transported elsewhere in order to make room for a stage. This year, the festival celebrates its 6th anniversary. Talented musicians, both famous and lesser known, make this festival into something that no fan of Icelandic music should miss.

Gæran's program stretches over three days, with the main program taking place on the big stage at Loðskin on Friday and Saturday.

Among those musicians who are scheduled to perform are Teitur Magnússon, Páll Óskar, Axel Flóvent, DIMMA, Geirmundur Valtýsson, James Wallace, Stafrænn Hákon, Bjartmar Guðlaugsson, Amaba Dama and Vio.

“The band is so good that I would hate to follow them.”

– Roger Taylor

Where: Sauðárkrókur When: Thursday, August 13th – Saturday, August 15th Price: 6,900 ISK www.tix.is

The cover band Queen Extravaganza was founded to play the songs of Queen in front of new and old fans. Its members were handpicked by Roger Taylor and Brian May, Queen's drummer and lead guitarist. Furthermore, Roger Taylor personally pro­ duced the concert series along with Spike Edney, Queen's long-time keyboardist. To­ gether, Taylor and Edney have created the almost perfect concert experience that no true Queen fan should miss. The band members were selected from an online music competition and the lead singer of the band, Mark M, is thought to sound exactly like Freddie Mercury.

Where: Harpa When: Sunday, August 16th, 20:00 Price: 6,990 – 9,990 ISK www.tix.is

Who needs oil when you have rain?

Landsvirkjun is one of Europe’s leading renewable energy companies.

Visit our interactive exhibitions at Búrfell and Krafla Power Stations this summer.

Free admission from 10 am – 5 pm every day.

Route information at landsvirkjun.com/visitors

8

What’s happening

Interview: Atli Sigþórsson Translation: Ragnar Tómas Hallgrímsson Photographs: Allan Sigurðsson

“There are interesting parallels between performance art and what’s happening on the internet. In both worlds something big is happening, which isn’t entirely taking place in the material world.”

– Sigrún Hrólfsdóttir

9 What’s happening

The Cycle Music and Arts Festival will take place in Kópavogur between August 13th and August 16th, and it will feature a diverse program of events. Among the participants in this year’s festival is the Icelandic Love Corporation (Gjörningaklúbburinn), which has been at the forefront of Icelandic visual art since it was founded in 1996.

The Icelandic Love Corporation is comprised of three members: Jóní Jónsdóttir, Eirún Sigurðardóttir and Sigrún Hrólfsdóttir. SKE contacted Sigrún Hrólfsdóttir and discussed the internet, the Cycle Music and Arts Festival and more.

How did the Icelandic Love Corporation come into existence? Did it have some kind of purpose or goal right from the start?

The Icelandic Love Corporation came into being during our time together at the Iceland School for Visual Art and Handicraft (Myndlista- og handíðaskóli Íslands). We were excited by the idea of working together and discovered that there were certain benefits to collaborat­ ing. Ideas evolved very quickly and all of the manual work was easier with so many hands on deck. The purpose of the Icelandic Love Corporation has been to create visual art by employing diverse methods and to enjoy it in the process. Since the beginning, we have collaborated on many diverse projects under many different circum­ stances. We have done large outdoor works of art and performance pieces in which dozens of performance artists have collaborated with us. We have also done simple and more delicate pieces. We don’t only do performance art, but try to adopt what­ ever method best suits the project at hand. But most of our work traces its roots back performance art.

“If someone had told us in 1996 that we would still be collaborating in 2015 – we would probably have been surprised and a little frightened.”

It depends. Sometimes ideas emerge that eve­ ryone connects with and it is easy to begin the project. Sometimes we really need to hash things over in order to reach a consensus. Sometimes one of us will have a strong vision and the others will follow. It really depends. We regard this collaboration as a kind of ongoing project. And we know that we cre­ ate things within the Corporation that we as individuals would have never created. It’s usu­ ally quite fun. But it can also be difficult. Every human being faces the task of getting along with others and finding solutions.

“Every human being faces the task of getting along with others and finding solutions.”

The Cycle Music and Arts Festival in Kópavogur is just around the corner, and you will be participating. What will your contribution be to the festival?

During the Icelandic Love Corporation’s 20 years of operations, you have done so much. How is it that three progressive artists (who are occasionally joined by other artists) have worked together for so long? Do you ever fight? (Few pop-music bands remain together for so long.)

It’s really quite remarkable. If someone had told us in 1996 that we would still be col­ laborating in 2015 – we would probably have been surprised and a little frightened.

We sometimes refer to what we have created together as our fourth body. The Corpora­ tion has somehow taken on the existence of a person and we feel the need to nurture that person and take care of it. We have also set ourselves a few simple rules that we believe are conducive to collaborating successfully.

There is no boss or leader in the Icelandic Love Corporation. We also have a rule that if an idea is born within the Corporation then it belongs to the Corpora­ tion. However, everyone is allowed to do as they please. We all have our solo careers and we collaborate with other artists outside the Cor­ poration.

“We all have our solo careers and we collaborate with other artists outside the Corporation.”

Do you have a similar creative vision or does it

require some diplomacy in order for projects to come to life?

Sigrún Hrólfsdóttir: Yes, it will be a fun and am­ bitious festival and we are excited to participate.

We are going to redo a performance art piece from 2002, which was called Ceremony – Har­ mony. It’s a piece in which two different forces puff themselves out in opposition to each other, and at first it seems like a hopeless fight – but in the end the stronger force wins. Often times it is the case that those who are weaker conceal an unbelievable power and energy. And in the end, instead of puffing our­ selves out in displays of power, it is better to col­ laborate; to join forces; to share the stage; to let go of our prejudices; and stop dividing ourselves into different categories according to size, type, etc., which are used to separate us and place us in a kind of pyramid where those who are the most powerful sit at the top. We should be fully capable of changing these things in our daily lives and in our society, in order to harmonize better as human beings.

“Instead of puffing ourselves out in displays of power, it is better to collaborate; to join forces; to share the stage; to cease with one’s prejudices; and stop dividing ourselves into different categories.”

What’s it like being a performance artist in Iceland? Is Icelandic society propitious to performance artists?

We are pleased to be living in Iceland, any which way you look at it – aside from the weather and the politics. Being a performance artist

10

“When we began collaborating together we decided that the whole world would be our stage. That’s why we adopted the international name the Icelandic Love Corporation. We have been doing just as much work abroad as we have been doing here at home.”

in Iceland is fine. There are a lot of things going on and the performance art scene is growing.

You have big festivals like Sequences and now Cycle, which is pretty good when you consider the size of our country. Icelandic artists are quite inclined towards performance art and there are many artists doing exciting things. Also, our so­ ciety is relatively open towards performance art, and people show up to these kinds of exhibitions excited about the unexpected, which often times characterizes good performance art. But when we began collaborating together we decided that the whole world would be our stage. That’s why we adopted the international name the Icelandic Love Corporation. We have been doing just as much work abroad as we have been doing here at home

What’s next for the Icelandic Love Corporation?

We will be participating in an arts festival in Ba­ sel, Switzerland this fall, and we will be collabo­ rating with a Scandinavian theater troupe on a new stage piece. We are also preparing a new and interesting project that will take place on the internet. For that project we will collaborate with programmers who are developing a more diverse way for artists to promote their work and that will also make it easier for people to pay for art. It will take place in the digital realm.

There are interesting parallels between perfor­ mance art and what’s happening on the inter­ net. In both worlds something big is happening, which isn’t entirely taking place in the material world. This is easy for the younger generation to comprehend, while more difficult for the older generation that is more accustomed to dealing with things in the concrete.

11 What’s happening

Exhibitions

12

What’s happening

Örvar Árdal Árnason Övar Árdal Árnason will be opening a visual arts exhibition this Friday, August 14th, at the Hveragerði Library. The opening will feature live music. Every­ one is invited. Örvar Árdal Árnason was born in Ísafjörður in 1974, but has lived in Hveragerði for the past 20 years.

The Festival of Sacred Arts Wigged gentlemen and women wearing bustles have been spotted

by Hallgrímskirkja lately; the Festival of Sacred Arts is just around the corner. Every other year since the consecration of Hallgrím­ skirkja in 1987, the Hallgrímskirkja Friends of the Arts Society has held a Festival of Sacred Arts. This year, the festival celebrates its 14th anniversary. The festival is sponsored by the National Church of Iceland, the City of Reykjavík and the Cultural Ministry, along with other embassies and firms. Around 300 artists are set to per­ form at the festival, including around 50 foreign artists. This year’s program is one of the most impressive to date.

The festival will open on Friday with a micro-forum, consisting of three micro-lectures in Icelandic concerning the performance of Handel’s oratorio Solomon. The festival will also feature a new arts exhibition by Icelandic artist Helgi Þorgils Friðjónsson; two concerts by the Hallgrímskirkja chamber choir, Schola Cantorum; a baroque performance by the chamber group Nordic Affect; two performances by Olivier Latry, the organist of Notre Dame, Paris, who is among the greatest contemporary organists in the world; an appearance by the renowned choir conductor and organist Stephen Cleobury of King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, along with his choir the King’s Men; and a performance by one of the most famous countertenors of today, Robin Blaze, who will sing the title role of the festival’s main project: the premier of G.F. Handel’s oratorio Solomon (in all, 95 musicians will be performing in Solomon). Visit the festival’s website for additional information.

Where: Hallgrímskirkja When: Friday, August 14th – Sunday, August 23rd Additional Information: www.kirkjulistahatid.is

Gullkistan 20 ár/years 24 artists from 8 countries: The visitors’ eye and some Icelandic Curator: Ben Valentine OPEN daily 12—6 pm FREE ADMISSION only 40 min. drive from Reykjavik on the Golden Circle

Where: Hveragerði Library (Sunnumörk 2) When: Friday, August 14th, 17:00 Price: Free

Cycle – Music and Arts Festival For the first time this summer the Cycle Music and Arts Festival will be held from August 13th – August 16th in Kópavogur. The festival aims to showcase inter-discipli­ nary artworks by local and international artists, many of whom are innovators in their fields. The festival will bring together superstars of the creative world such as Ólafur Elíasson, the Icelandic Love Corporation, Jeremy Shaw, Simon Steen-Andersen, along with many other up-andcoming talents. The artworks exhibited fall into the genres of contemporary music, performance art, visual art, audio art and architecture, with the main emphasis being on music. This is one of the first festivals that focuses on the burgeoning inter-disciplinary scene of music with other genres of art. Artists, scholars and guests will be invited to participate in the dialogue through concerts, events, workshops and symposiums, thereby promoting interna­ tional collaboration and the participation of society in the contemporary art scene.

Where: Various Venues in Kópavogur When: August 13th – August 16th Price: Festival Pass 9,000 ISK (single passes to certain events are available) www.cycle.is

New Release In the exhibition New Release at Ger­ ðarsafn, the borders between music and visual art will be blurred by the methods of various musicians and visual artists. For the exhibition, the Natural History Museum of Kópavogur has been growing glow-in-the-dark algae to il­ luminate the works of German visual artist Andreas Greiner, who, in his piece Multitudes, fuses visual art, contempo­ rary music, technology and biophysics.

Curator: Dr. Nadim Samman Where: Gerðarsafn (Hamraborg 4) When: August 13th – September 28th Price: 500 ISK www.gerdarsafn.is

Laumu­lista­sam­steypan Laumulistasamsteypan (the secret artist conglomerate) presents a journey to Hrísey, Eyjafjörður, between August 15th and August 16th. Laumulistasamsteypan is an alternating group of 15 artists who, for the second time this year, came together for one week at Hámundarstaðir in order to collaborate on an artistic event in Hrísey.

Everyone is invited to visit Hrísey this weekend, where Laumulistasamsteypan will embark upon a journey relating to the following themes: VISUAL ARTS, DISCLO­ SURE, FREE, HAZARDOUS JOURNEY, SWIMMING, SECRET GUEST, MUSIC. There are plenty of camping areas and the jour­ neys will be followed by a barbecue and a party. Laumulistasamsteypan is supported

by Kaldi and Akureyrarstofa.

The interdisciplinary art performance piece Mirror’s Tunnel is a collaboration between artist Ólafur Elías­ son, the composer Páll Ragnar Pálsson and the string orchestra Skark, which is inspired by Ólafur Elíasson’s sculpture Mirror’s Tunnel. The sculpture consists of three free-standing mirrors that form a kind of mir­ ror tunnel: the sculpture being the foundation for Páll Ragnar Pálsson’s musical composition. The music mim­ ics the qualities of the sculpture, in which sections of the music are mirrored and move between individual performers in the artistic space. The audience is invited to react to the music during the performance, making it possible for them to hear, see and experience the piece in different ways and from different places in the space.

Where: Hrísey When: Saturday, August 15th –Sunday, August 16th

Where: Gerðarsafn (Hamraborg 4) When: Friday, August 14th, 20:00 www.cycle.is

Mirror’s Tunnel

Q&A

14

What’s happening

Q&A with Ólafur Páll Torfason aka Opee Rapper, business enthusiast and all-round nice guy

Name?

Ólafur Páll Torfason

Age?

31

Occupation?

Partner and producer at Snark Films – film production and service company.

What’s On Your Mind These Days?

The new Dr. Dre album; Kendrick Lamar is killing it; and why is it so hard for me to listen to the album on Apple Music? I really hope people can access music via one platform, rather than having many different corporations fencing off their own corners of the market.

What Do You Recommend Tourists Do In Iceland?

Travel outside the city and enjoy nature; go to the pools. You don’t have to visit the main tourist attractions to experience Iceland. Get a car and just ride somewhere. But watch out for the weather and bring what you need. And get yourself some ice-cream.

Favorite Restaurant in Reykjavík?

For quick food, I try to keep it as healthy as possible.

So it’s often Krua Thai, XO Food, Local or the Noodle Station. When I want a little bit more of a Dining Experience, I really like going to K-Bar and Snaps, for a beautiful atmosphere and great food.

Best Icelandic Rap Song?

Hard to name one, but I can name my favorite artists in no particular order.

Quarashi, Úlfur Úlfur, Gísli Pálmi, Forgotten Lores, Emmsjé Gauti and Original Melody. Reykjavíkurdætur have also been growing on me. But really, it’s amazing that we have so many talented people.

Best Rap Song of All Time?

Tough question – and I also have this short-term memory thing. But I can say that I think Kendrick Lamar is becoming my all-time favorite. There is something about him that sets him apart from the rest. In terms of his best songs, the Art of Peer Pressure gets to me like no other.

Favorite Film?

In terms of Icelandic films, it’s When the Raven Flies, or at least it’s the Icelandic film that I have watched most often. I must have watched it between twenty and thirty times. There is something about the world that comes alive in that film: it feels authentic and there’s a lot of great acting from many of Iceland’s “greats”. I also like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Requiem for a Dream.

What’s Best in Life?

Eating ice-cream and watching a good movie with my family.

FESTIVAL OF SACRED ARTS Hallgrimskirkja - August 14 - 23 2015

FIRE FROM HEAVEN

Friday August 14th 12.15-13.45 pm and 5 pm

Monday August 17th 9 pm

Friday August 21st 5 pm and 8 pm

12.15 pm KING SOLOMON: A MICROFORUM

NEW DIMENSIONS OF THE KLAIS-ORGAN

KING’S MEN CAMBRIDGE

The microforum takes place in relation with the performance of Handel’s oratorio Solomon at the Festival of Sacred Arts 2015, consisting of three microlectures in Icelandic. Free admittance and everyone is welcome to attend.

Young electronic musicians explore the magnificent Klais organ, using it’s new technological equipment and it’s 5273 pipes to create a musical experience.

5 pm Evensong with King’s Men.

5 pm OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL

Tuesday August 18th 8 pm

Opening of a new exhibition of the Icelandic painter Helgi Thorgils Fridjonsson, Baroque group-dancing to music by Handel, The Hague International Baroque Orchestra and the Hallgrimskirkja Motet Choir, conductor Hordur Askelsson. Free admittance.

The celebrated Icelandic baroque group Nordic affect with Ian Wilson recordist from London and Tuomu Suni violinist from Finland and three Icelandic singers.

Saturday August 15th 7 pm Sunday August 16th 16 pm SOLOMON by G. F. Handel - Oratorio in three acts Performers: Robin Blaze countertenor, Solomon.

Thora Einarsdottir soprano, Solomon’s queen and first woman.

Sigridur Osk Kristjansdottir mezzosoprano, Queen of Sheba and second woman.

Benedikt Kristjansson tenor, High priest Zadoc and messenger.

Oddur Arnthor Jonsson bass, Levite.

The Hallgrimskirkja Motet Choir.

The Hague International Baroque Orchestra, lead by Tuomo Suni, Finland.

Conductor: Hordur Askelsson

Sunday August 16th 11 pm HIGH MASS

BAROQUE CONCERT- “HANDEL AT HOME”

8 pm Concert with King’s Men. The King’s Men sing a varied program, conducted by Stephen Cleobury, renowned conductor of King’s College Choir, Cambridge.

Saturday August 22nd 3 − 9 pm REYKJAVÍK CULTURAL NIGHT - FEAST OF HYMNS

A program showing a more subtle side of the composer G.F. Handel, as opposed to the magnificence of the oratorio Solomon.

Various Icelandic and foreign choirs and soloists, electronic artists and more, including King’s Men Cambridge, Schola cantorum and the Hallgrimskirkja Motet Choir.

Wednesday August 19th 12.00 – 12.30 noon

Amongst other a premiere of 5 new psalms by 10 Icelandic women composers and poets in connection with the 100 years celebrations of Icelandic women voting rights this year.

LUNCHTIME CONCERT: HEAR HEAVEN´S MAKER Schola cantorum chamber choir of Hallgrímskirkja.

Conductor: Hordur Askelsson.

Thursday August 20th 8 & 10 pm DOUBLE CONCERT AT THE KLAIS ORGAN 8 pm The world famous Olivier Latry, organist at Notre Dame in Paris, plays a solo recital.

10 pm Olivier Latry plays a four-handed version of Stravinsky’s Le Sacré de Printemps along with his wife Shin-Young Lee.

Sunday August 23rd 11 am and 17 pm 11 am HIGH MASS The bishop of Iceland, Agnes M. Sigurdardottir, and King’s Men, the Klais organ and more.

5 pm FINAL CONCERT: DEO DICAMUS GRATIAS Chamber choir Schola cantorum, conductor Hordur Askelsson.

Amongst other the premiére of Missa semplice for solo soprano, harp and mixed choir by John A. Speight.

Schola cantorum, chamber choir of Hallgrimskirkja, conductor Horður Askelsson, The Hague International Baroque Orchestra and the Klais organ.

Sponsors: Hallgrímssöfnuður, Reykjavík Reykjavíkurprófastsdæmi vestra Kirkjumálasjóður

Ticket sale in Hallgrímskirkja s. 510 1000 - midi.is kirkjulistahatid.is, scholacantorum.is

16

What’s happening

PRO 11:30 11:00

12:30 12:00

13:30 13:00

14:30 14:00

15:30 15:00

16:00

INTERNATIONAL ART COLL

Symposium in English

13.08.15 THURSDAY | FIMMTUDAGUR Tónlistarsafn Íslands Hamraborg 4

ART, SCIENCE AND SUST Symposium in English

14.08.15 FRIDAY | FÖSTUDAGUR

Gerðarsafn Hamraborg 4

CHRISTINA KUBISCH Electrical walks Gerðarsafn Hamraborg 4

15.08.15 SATURDAY | LAUGARDAGUR

CHRISTINA KUBISCH Electrical walks

THE INTERSECTION OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC Symposium in English

CEREMONY HARMONY ICELANDIC LOVE CORPORATION Performance

Tónlistarsafn Íslands

Hamraborg Bridge

I MISS MY FRIENDS Berglind María Tómasdóttir Gamli Bærinn

Gerðarsafn Hamraborg 4

FOR A DENSER CONSENTRATION OF THE CITY Open Workshop

16.08.15 SUNDAY | SUNNUDAGUR

Kópavogshæli

CHRISTINA KUBISCH Electrical walks Gerðarsafn Hamraborg 4

I MISS MY FRIENDS Berglind María Tómasdóttir Gamli Bærinn

ARTKINO Artworks with video and sound Salurinn Hamraborg 2

17 What’s happening

OGRAMME 16:30

17:30 17:00

LABORATIONS

TAINABILITY

18:30 18:00

OPENING CEREMONY | OPNUNARATHÖFN

THE ICELANDIC CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

20:30

19:30 19:00

20:00

PARABÓLUR Perfor­ mance in a public space

EINAR TORFI EINARSSON

UNDER GROUND Ingibjörg Fridriksdóttir

Gerðarsafn Hamraborg 4

Salurinn Hamraborg 2

ELECTRICAL PROCESSION FROM GERÐARSAFN TO NEXT LOCATION

22:30 22:00

SURROUNDED

BY STRANGERS Performance

WHAT THE BODY DOES REMEMBER Erik Dæhlin | Silje Aker Johnsen

KAJ DUNKAN DAVID

Gamli Bærinn

Gamli Bærinn

Gerðarsafn Gamli Hamraborg 4 Bærinn

FINNBOGI EINAR OG TORFI EINARSSTEFÁN Performance SON

Performance

Gerðarsafn Hamraborg 4

Gerðarsafn Gerðarsafn Hamraborg 4 Hamraborg 4

FESTIVAL OF FAILURE Curated by Thora Tomasdottir

Salurinn Hamraborg 2

DYPTICH Icelandic Flute Choir | Þráinn Hjál­ marsson | Sigurður Guðjónsson

UNKNOWN N.I.C.O. + SKARK QUARTET Performance

Kópavogshæli

Kópavogshæli

ENSEMBLE ADAPTER Simon Steen­ Andersen | Þórunn Gréta Sigurðardóttir Performance

PINQUINS Performance

Salurinn

Molinn

THE BEAR OPERA BY WILLIAM WALTON

Salurinn Hamraborg 2 EINAR TORFI EINARSSON

Performance

Gerðarsafn Hamraborg 4

23:00

THE TOTAL MOUNTAIN Jennifer Walshe Performance

I MISS MY FRIENDS Berglind María Tómasdóttir

Gerðarsafn Gerðarsafn Hamraborg 4 Hamraborg 4

23:30

Gerðarsafn Hamraborg 4

CHRISTINA KUBISCH Electrical walks

SIMON STEENANDERSEN - RUN TIME ERROR

21:00

SPIEGEL TUNNEL | MIRROR’S TUNNEL Skark ensemble Performance

Gerðarsafn Gerðarsafn Hamraborg 4 Hamraborg 4

Gerðarsafn Hamraborg 4

21:30

Players Kópavogi

24:00

Food tips

18

What’s happening

Kjúklingastaðurinn – Suðurver Memory Lane A few days ago, I reacquainted myself with Kjúklingastaðurinn Suðurver (That Chicken Place) alongside of a colleague of mine. During my MH years (MH is an Icelandic high school, located just around the corner from Suðurver), I never packed a lunch; I was spoiled; during every lunchbreak I would venture beyond the school­ grounds and indulge my appetite in unwholesome fast-food. I could not help myself. I was a recovering Icelandic-American who had developed a fast-food dependency dur­ ing his time in the States. And so when I walked through the doors of Suðurver I was seized by a feeling of nostalgia. I longed to return to those carefree and halcyon days when the world was but a grand chicken sandwich for me to devour. Bathing in this warm, nostalgic glow, I decided to reacquaint myself with Suðurver’s famous chicken

burger – and my colleague joined me. But before doing so we warmed ourselves up by ordering some chicken wings with some chicken sauce on the side. The chicken wing was okay but the sauce was good enough to qualify as a drinkable. Then there was the chicken burger: It was not bad. I ordered some coleslaw on the side, which elevated the burger from not bad to good.

Suðurver is not Noma – but it’s worth spending a few króna.

Words: German Felville

REYKJAVÍK CENTRUM

Pysluvagninn – Selfoss

Elegant bistro menu Service with a smile Cozy atmosphere Great location

www.cafeparis.is

A Rare Species of Warm Canine There is one hot-dog in Iceland that is always in the spotlight; that sticks its sausage into every hot-dog related conversation; and that has made itself the darling of the foreign media. I am referring here to the famous pylsa at Bæjarins Beztu: that gold standard to which every Icelandic hot-dog aspires. Last week, however, while I was passing through Selfoss on a leisurely cruise through the country­ side, I came across a rare species of warm canine that I had previ­ ously not encountered – and I felt like an ornithologist who had just discovered a new species of bird (I am a self-proclaimed foodie). This particular dog flouted the conventions; it did not attempt to imitate the saintly BB pylsa; it did not adorn itself with ketchup, mustard, remoulade, cronions and onions. Instead it spread a generous layer of melted garlic cheese on top of its sausage and stood its ground on a bun-filled with crumbled Doritos. I am not certain whether the deliciousness of the dog owed to its unusual, and savory, character, or whether it could be chalked up to my protracted state of hunger.

But whatever the case – you really must try it for yourself.

Words: Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass

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

Design

20

What’s happening

Cockerel Hanger Lace Collar Design: Virki Collar made from old doilies, tablecloth and lace. www.reykjavikcornerstore.com

Design: Hár Úr Hala Clothing hanger made from aluminum. The design is based on an Icelandic nursery rhyme about animals.

Hár Úr Hala is a design cooperative by Ólafur Þór Er­ lendsson, furniture- and interior architect, and Sylvía Kristjánsdóttir, graphic designer. www.harurhala.is

Mad Hatter Bowtie Ring Design: Hring eftir Hring

Peysuleysi Design: Björg í Bú

Reykjavík Soap Design: Gerist

Wooden bowtie ring handmade by Icelandic cabinet maker Muggi.

A woolen article of clothing that can be used in a vari­ ety of ways: as a shawl, a bolero, sleeves, a vest, trousers, a collar, a hat and a sweater.

Soap shaped like a Reykjavík hot tub.

Hring eftir Hring is a jewelry design studio based in Reykjavík, Iceland.

Björg í Bú is the design studio of the product designers Edda Gylfadóttir and Helga Björg Jónasardóttir.

Gerist are Friðgerður Guðmundsdóttir and Kristín Birna Bjarnadóttir.

www.hring.is

www.reykjavikcornerstore.com

Gourmet Experience

www.reykjavikcornerstore.com

- Steaks and Style at Argentina Steakhouse Barónsstíg 11 - 101 Reykjavík Tel: 551 9555 argentina.is

WHY

ERVE DO WE S BURGERS, ASS HAM N WINGS L C T S R I F CHICKE S U O I C I DEL R RIBS? & KILLE

SIMPLY,

TER T E B S ´ T I BECAUSE

Things to do

22

What’s happening

KRÁS Flea Market Warehouse Sale ARK Design will be hosting a special warehouse sale this Saturday, August 15th. All visual art (whether framed or not framed), will be sold at a 30-70% dis­ count. There will be no electronic payment device on hands, so guests are encouraged to bring cash (wire transfers are also possible). ARK Design was founded in August, 2014 and specializes in posters, prints and geometric art.

Where: Stakkholt 2 B When: Saturday, August 15th, 13:00 – 17:00 Price: Varies

This Saturday, August 15th, the KRÁS flea market continues. At KRÁS 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. Everyone can find something to their liking, whether young or old. It is the perfect venue for enjoy­ ing summer.

Where: Fógetagarðurinn (On the corner of Aðalstræti and Kirkjustræti) When: Saturday, August 8th, 13:00–18:00 Price: Varies

Ice-Cream Day 2015 The annual Ice-Cream Day will be held this Saturday, August 15th in Hveragerði. In order to celebrate the Ice-Cream Day's 9th anniversary, a special ice-cream "pipe" will be laid from the Kjörís Factory and onto the parking lot. The pipe will pump out ice-cream all day long; guests can eat as much ice-cream as they want. In addition to classic flavors of ice-cream, the ice-cream makers from Kjörís will also be experimenting with non-traditional flavors: flavors like camel milk, blue cheese, popcorn, white Russian, cheesecake and many more. The program begins at 13:00 and concludes at 16:00. Ingó Veðurguð will bring his guitar and the Lotta theater troupe will put on a special performance.

Where: Hveragerði (Austurmörk 15) When: Saturday, August 15th, 13:00 – 16:00 Price: Free

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, regula­ tions in Iceland needed to be changed for such a broad­ cast 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 con­ tent with a rotating cast of interesting hosts: a little bit of everything for everyone. All hosts have their person­ alities and are allowed to express themselves freely on air: no other radio station in the country is so permis­ sive, 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

Reykjavík Bacon Festival 2015

Festival of Failure

The annual Reykjavík Bacon Festival will take place this Saturday on Skólavörðustígur. Selected restaurants will offer bacon-inspired dishes made from the best pos­ sible ingredients, including Icelandic fish, pork, lamb, beef and vegetables. Ófeigur the mascot will be there and the festival will also feature bands, choirs, march­ ing bands a bouncy castle. The festival will be held to benefit a good cause, which will be announced as the festival draws near. In 2013, the festival donated two Holter monitors to the National University Hospital of Iceland and last year the proceeds of the festival were donated to Umhyggja (an organization that supports children with long-term illnesses) and Hjólakraftur (an organization that hosts seminars and courses for indi­ viduals suffering from lifestyle-related illnessess).

Cycle Music and Arts Festival presents the Festival of Failure. The Festival of Failure is a micro-lecture mara­ thon taking place in Salurinn, Kópavogur, this Sunday, August 16th at 18:00. The stage will become a plat­ form for unfinished business; creative blocks; painful mistakes; irrational optimism; and sounds meant to be music. The festival is essentially an ode to experiments, featuring a series of short, 10-minute lectures.

Participants: Árni Heimir Ingólfsson (musicologist), Hildur Guðnadóttir (composer), Nadim Shamman (curator), Tinna Þorsteinsdóttir (musician), Þóra Tóm­ asdóttir (filmmaker), and Örn Alexander Ámundason (visual artist).

Curator: Elísabet Indra Ragnarsdóttir and Þóra Tómasdóttir

Where: Skólavörðustígur When: Saturday, August 15th, 14:00–17:00 Price: Varies

Where: Salurinn, Kópavogur When: Sunday, August 16th, 18:00–20:00 Price: Festival Pass 9,000 ISK

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

24

What’s happening

On Perlan

Inspired by the news – and a long conversation with a recent and enthusiastic visitor of Perlan.

Tourists and Toilets Currently, there is a gross scarcity of toilets in Iceland – for tourists. If you are a tour­ ist, then it is not unlikely that you shall find yourself, at one point or another, dancing an awkward jig by some Icelandic landmark so as to pacify your ballooning bladder.

You shall shift your weight in nervous, rhythm-less fashion; you shall scan the hori­ zon like a demoralized Columbus looking for land; and you shall search desperately for a lavatory. But no lavatory will present itself. Then, on the verge of resignation, you shall spot a lone privy by the side of the road and breathe a sigh of relief, sprin­ kling a few drops of urine into your underpants as you do so (#leakage). You shall be comforted by the sight of the privy. You shall suspect that your troubles are over. But you, dear reader – shall be mistaken.

An Excretory Tax When you arrive at the privy you will discover that the Icelanders have levied a tax on your bodily functions – you must pay admission – and you shall lose your pa­ tience. If you are anything like your fellow travelers, then you shall respond to this excretory tax in the same way that the Bostonians responded to a tax on their tea – by rebellion. You shall turn towards nature, that grand and ancient toilet, and urinate and defecate vigorously in protest. You, like thousands of maltreated tourists, shall get busy browning our beloved countryside like a pack of incontinent dogs. And as well you should: It is a glaring miscarriage of justice.

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

A Urine Utopia!

But there is one place that you can rely on; there is one place that keeps watch of your dignity and your humanity; there is one place that is a kind of excretory tax haven; a weewee wonderland; a urine utopia; a pisser’s paradise! I am referring here to Perlan: Iceland’s most commodious, most sanitary bathroom. Every day, bus after bus of fullbladdered travelers arrive at Perlan’s revolving doors and expect to have their wallets gutted in the foyer. They expect some crude, Icelandic chawbacon to thrust an open palm at their person and demand compensation. But nothing of the sort happens.

Instead, they are directed warmly into Perlan’s elevators where, on the fourth floor, they find the loveliest, most peaceful bathroom in all the land.

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

Our Saint Peter And you owe your thanks (as far as I can gather) to our honorable, curly-haired mayor, who has opened the doors of this lavatory Heaven for all to enter; our digni­ fied, well-kempt city head knows the inconvenience of a full-bladder in a foreign country – and has chosen not to impose a tax on this grand toilet. Is he not a kind of benevolent Saint Peter who generously gives free admission to these Pearly Gates (Perlan means pearl, get it?)?

But Wait – There’s More But there is more to Perlan than the toilets. Perlan was not constructed merely to serve as an architectural answer to nature’s call. They did not design a glass dome equaling the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, with over 1,000 window-panes, and which stands atop six water tanks – to solely fulfill the function of large bathroom: no, sir.

Perlan is also a coffeehouse that serves a variety of delicious food; a revolving restau­ rant that provides its visitors with a splendid panoramic view of the capital area; and a generally pleasant place to visit on a sunny day.

I am confident, therefore, that Perlan is the ideal place to spend a penny – in more ways than one.

For more information on Perlan visit www.perlan.is

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

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!

26

Fashion What’s happening

Una Valrún

Fashion design student

Síta Valrún Artist & stylist

Underwear Once upon a time, a long time ago, I walked into a store on Laugavegur. When I entered, I was greeted by burlesque beauties dressed in lace and silk; and by pinup models dressed in seethrough bras, in black underwear, wearing soft fabrics, with nipple-rings, posing beneath clouds of perfume in sexy stockings. On that day I bought my first pair of underwear. It was made from black silk. My friend Una purchased a pair as well. It was made from dark, aquamarine silk and adorned with deep blue lace. I wish I could say that there was no turning back after that – that I have exclusively purchased high-end underwear made from the finest material since then – but I can’t; I’ve bought a lot of polyester lace from H&M. There is, however, something quite special about wearing beautiful, well-made underwear. It makes no difference whether we’re talking soft, organic cotton; non-traditional designs; or a lace set with stockings. In Reykjavík, you can find beautiful underwear by the French label Base Range in Glóría on Laugavegur, or underwear made by Lonely at JÖR. Or you can wait till you leave our island to shop in bigger cities. Or why not make your own underwear?

PROBABLY THE

WORLD’S SMALLEST WATCH MANUFACTURER

Our Master Watchmaker never loses his concentration

With his legendary concentration and 45 years of experience our Master Watchmaker and renowned craftsman, Gilbert O. Gudjonsson, inspects every single timepiece before it leaves our workshop.

All the watches are designed and assembled by hand in Iceland.

Only highest quality movements and materials are used to produce the watches and every single detail has been given the time needed for perfection.

At JS Watch co. Reykjavik we’re committed to provide a personal quality service and we pride ourselves on the close relationships we have with our customers.

Scan it and learn more! www.jswatch.com

www.gilbert.is

28

Streets of ReykjavĂ­k streetsofreykjavik.com

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

30

What’s happening

ANT-MAN

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

79%

7,9

MAGIC MIKE XXL

ÁLFABAKKI | KRINGLUBÍÓ SAMBÍÓIN EGILSHÖLL | SAMBÍÓIN AKUREYRI | SAMBÍÓIN KEFLAVÍK

64%

6,3

JURASSIC WORLD LAUGARÁSBÍÓ | ÁLFABAKKI

HUMAN CAPITAL BÍÓ PARADÍS

SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAY SMÁRABÍÓ | LAUGARÁSBÍÓ

71%

7,3

81%

7,4

36%

6,2

ENTOURAGE 1001 GRAMS

SPY

SMÁRABÍÓ | LAUGARÁSBÍÓ

BÍÓ PARADÍS

7,6 6,6

ÁLFABAKKI

PIXELS

95%

BÍÓ PARADÍS

7,4

32%

6,8

95%

87% 18%

5,3

SAN ANDREAS

TERMINATOR GENISYS ÁLFABAKKI | KRINGLUBÍÓ SAMBÍÓIN EGILSHÖLL | SAMBÍÓIN AKUREYRI | SAMBÍÓIN KEFLAVÍK

7,0

GIRLHOOD

SMÁRABÍÓ | HÁSKÓLABÍÓ LAUGARÁSBÍÓ | SAMBÍÓIN KEFLAVÍK | BORGARBÍÓ AKUREYRI

TOMORROWLAND

ÁLFABAKKA | KRINGLUBÍÓ

6,6

50%

ÁLFABAKKI SAMBÍÓIN, AKUREYRI

TED 2

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

26% 7,1

INSIDE OUT

SMÁRABÍÓ | LAUGARÁSBÍÓ

48%

6,7

50%

8,9

98%

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

River Rafting Price from: 12.990 ISK

! g in ll te h rt o w ry o st a h it w e m Go ho 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