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Issue 1 2011 2 Issue 17 2014
2
Hafnarstrti 15, 101 Reykjavk
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Editorial-in-chief | Haukur S. Magnsson
We Care A Lot!
Published by Frken ehf.
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TRACK
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OF THE
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Klan Mikla
Contributing Writers:
Bjrn Teitsson
Ekkert nema g
Dav Roach
Grayson Del Faro SNARL 4
Haukur Mr Helgason Download the FREE track at www.grapevine.is
Jn Yngvi Jhannsson
Kri Tulinius
Lemrinn With its loud and gnarly thumping bass,
li Dri
Nathan Hall "Ekkert nema g" starts off filthy great. Ac-
Paul Fontaine cording to the band, the songs lyrics are all
Quentin Bates
Ragnar Egilsson
from a long text message drummer Slveig
Rebecca Scott Lord Matthildur Kristjnsdttir wrote her friend
while drunk. Vocalist Laufey Soffa rsdt-
Editorial Interns:
Eln Rs / elin@grapevine.is Hey, check out the above photo. Who are those peo- community. They do this by reporting on it and re- tir renders the drunk-text beautifully, softly
Melissa Coci / melissa@grapevine.is ple? Ill tell you: Im in there, along with our designer flecting upon it, providing us with food for thought singing: "I will smoke the world / swallow
Saskia Vallendar / saskia@grapevine.is
Tom Doyle / tom@grapevine.is Hrefna, along with our former interns Parker and Re- and fodder for conversation. its remains / so there will be nothing left
Art Director: becca (currently visiting from abroad to do some writ- This is great! Active participation! Active conver- but me," before screaming at the top of her
Hrur Kristbjrnsson / hordur@dodlur.is
Layout: ing), along with our current interns Tom and Saskia sation! What fun! lungs: "I am God!"
Hrefna Sigurardttir and Eln and Melissa, along with our listings editor I love them all, and I love you, too. Hey, want to Meet Klan Mikla, a trio of avant-garde
Photographers: punks whose lyrics are poems (indeed, you
Anna Domnick Gabrel, along with our journalist John, along with join in? Drop us a line!
Atli Sigurarson the ghost of what shouldve been (always lurking in may read about them in our poetry feature),
GOLLI delivered on top of loud, quivering bass lines
Hrur Sveinsson / www.hordursveinsson.com the background, him). Behind the camera is the lovely ---
Marks Mr Efram courtesy of Margrt Rsa Dru- Harrysdt-
photographer Matt Eisman, who set up shop at our
Matthew Eisman / www.mattheweisman.com tir. They capture Millenials melancholy,
Spessi office over Airwaves, where hell be shooting some of As I write this, I can hear the band Hellvar blaring
Sales Director: displaced sense of self, and narcissistic
Aalsteinn Jrundsson / adalsteinn@grapevine.is
our favourite musicians (check out his images and SO through our office window, performing at the official worldview down to a tee. They are dirty, they
Helgi r Hararson / helgi@grapevine.is MUCH MORE at www.grapevine.is!). Entirely miss- Bjarins Bestu Pylsur off-venue (yup). Its almost sev- are raw, and most importantly, they are fun!
skar Freyr Ptursson / oskar@grapevine.is
Distribution manager: ing is our editor Anna, currently on sabbatical (miss en PM on Airwaves Thursday, and Reykjavk is brim- Their debut album hits the streets any day
distribution@grapevine.is u, Anna!). ming with energy, culture and enthusiasm. As soon as now, but this song comes from a Dr. Gunni
Proofreader:
Mark Asch The people in the above photo represent but a we send this off, I plan on heading off to drown myself curated compilation entitled SNARL 4,
releases: small part of all the wonderful folks who strive night in all the good vibes, to fully immerse in all the music, which is filled with other exuberant bands
listings@grapevine.is
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grapevine@grapevine.is and/or watch our Post-Set Breakdown video
Founders: who we arewe as a culture, and we as a peoplewho (you can get informed about a lot of them in this
Hilmar Steinn Grtarsson, interview with the band. Enjoy!
we were and what we are becoming; what were doing, issueI recommend going straight for page six). At
Hrur Kristbjrnsson,
Jn Trausti Sigurarson, and why we might be doing it. such times, its important to keep an eye on the good
Oddur skar Kjartansson,
Valur Gunnarsson
Ill also tell you this: Although the people whose stuff (while remaining vigilant towards all the BS). At
thoughts and words and images and comix and efforts their best, festivals like Iceland Airwaves can serve to
The Reykjavk Grapevine is published 18 times a year by Frken
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the timeless
warmth SOUR GRAPES AND STUFF
of Iceland Most Awesome
Letter of the Issue!
www.arnartr.com
When I read the Reykjavk Grapevines nothing serious ever happened to me, I here. Some. It's just that those wrong are
article Closed Doors, Empty Stomach, see those looks and I hear those words on always much up front.
Desperate Measures about a Jewish- the streets. Being a Jew from Middle East,
Iraqi refugee seeking asylum in Iceland you certainly encounter a lot of hatred and Filip Simonfy
after having hard time in Slovakia, a rath- intolerance. No wonder Adam had to flee
er ambivalent feeling captured my mind. again, and he chose well. Unfortunately,
Well, I am from Slovakia, and at first, I I am skeptical when thinking about his Dear Filip,
felt a bit pissed off and offended about the experience here as persecution. However
way how my country of origin was por- severe the situation was, it probably does thank you so much for your thought-
trayed. But then I thought it might actu- not meet all the criteria. But I am not an ful and moving letter.
ally be deserved. expert, and I wish the authorities decide
I have a brief experience in working otherwise and allow Adam to stay. we understand your grief at how Slo-
with asylum seekers in Slovakia and... During my year in Iceland, I met vakia is portrayed in the article (po-
It is not a country where you would like many people from all over the world and tentially confused readers: the article
to end up after having run for your life very little was known about Slovakia. At in question may be found onlineyou
from a place that once had been your most, brief reference to Eurotrip or Hostel should read it. It is also rather moving
home. That's no one's choice, it's just the is made, but that's it. And that's why I was and thoughtful). I am most certain
first country beyond the border. Actu- disappointed when I read those words, that the article's author was not look-
ally, Adam is a 'lucky' guy. Only about 10 when 'we' finally made it to the press. ing to disparage Slovakia in his writ-
people are given asylum status every year Sure, the article of Benjamn Julian is very ing - he was merely attempting to re-
here. The rest is sentenced to a choice of ei- tendentious and forcibly moving, and lay Mr. Adam's story and experiences
ther spending years in refugee residences portrayal of Slovakia somehow distort- as best he could. Every country has
while there is very little you are allowed/ ed. But there certainly is something true its negative aspects that when scru-
able to do, or returning to their land where about it. It's true that 'we' should do more tinized are indeed shameful for its
persecution and death awaits them. Well, for people who come to live here, who ask nationalsindeed, Iceland has a less
and if you are fortunate enough, you are for help, who need to be protected. than stellar track record in its treat-
allowed to stay in this country where bu- I quite like this country. There are ment of asylum seekers.
reaus do nothing for your integration and many things that are worth it. But there
people are even less open to accept you. also are many that are just appalling and Thank you for reading and for your
Let's face it. I had a chance to spend a shameful. Adam's story represents one of input.
year, a beautiful year, in Iceland. And even them. I want to apologize for all that neg-
I, after having returned, realized how ligence and harm, Adam. I just want you Your Friends At The Grapevine
much safer I felt on the island. Although to know that there also are good people
I loved Jeff Edwards hilarious piece "Acci- capitating him and FedExing the box to I'm traveling to Iceland next week for
dental Iceland" - do you have an email ad- Gwyneth Paltrow? the first time and [gratefully] have found
dress for him so I can tell him myself? To ensure Jeff Edwards does not get the tips I need to not come off as an Ugly
beheaded, yet gets to enjoy your compli- American in Reykjavik by reading the
Thanks, ments, we have forwarded your letter Grapevine.
Laurie his way. Maybe hell get back to you?
Thanks and best,
Dear Laurie (if that IS your real name), LOL - I really didn't expect you to respond Laurie
respond to my requestthanks! I love the
We cant really do that. What if youre, Grapevine; so smart, funny, engaging and Dear Laurie,
like, an deranged stalker from his past it has a great energy. Although it's referred Oh, pshaw.
thats been spending years looking for to as a "tourist" publication, I imagine your Love,
Jeff Edwards and with the intent of de- local readership is very high. Your Friends At The Grapevine
There's prize for all your MOST AWESOME KRISTBJRNSSON, and its good for posing
LETTERS. And its a scorcher! Whoever in front of a mirror, impressing folks with your
sends us THE MOST AWESOME LETTER impeccable taste or picking up men or women
each issue will receive a cool new of all ages (no minors). DONT PANIC if your
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The Reykjavk
The Reykjavk
Grapevine
Grapevine As Grapevine's FB friend, photographer Stuart Richardson, noted: "Only living
6 Issue 1Issue
2011
17 2014 here allows one to appreciate the sweet sweet irony that even other government
offices are lying to customs about their shipments being gifts."
6
Iceland | Up in arms
REPORT
Who's
Afraid Of
November 9?
Words by Haukur Mr Helgason
Collage by Hrefna Sigurardttir
The Gtt-fight was a violent clash Thirty, wielded by Osama Bin Ladens
Renewal of equipment, police just decided to buy a four-wheel father figures do not. Last Saturday,
between police and workers, who were henchmen, and in The Dark Knight nothing else drive instead of a rear-wheel drive. an editorial by Dav Oddsson clari-
protesting announced wage reduc- Rises, employed by Gothams SWAT The officer-cum-MP then took to the fied any possible ambiguity left by Jn
tions, back in 1932. teams. In reality, armies use them, as The Prime Minister's assistant, podium in Alingi to scold the media Bjartmarzs somewhat ambiguous ut-
The reference is as significant as well as special forces. Until recently, Jhannes r Sklason, was the first for reporting about the guns at all. Lit- terances. In case youre new here, that
they get. An Icelandic State Police you would not have seen such weapons government affiliate to comment on erally: I want to tell some of the me- is Dav Oddsson the former Indepen-
authority, as opposed to a municipal in the hands of regular police officers. the story when it broke, mocking DV's dia and members of Alingi that they dence Party Chair, Mayor, Prime Min-
one, was established in the aftermath Two years ago, however, the Ferguson, journalists on Facebook: We didn't buy should be ashamed for their conduct. ister and Central Bank Manager, not
of that fight, to ensure that authorities Missouri, police department report- these guns, he said, Norway gave them They talk of things they do not have to mention psalm poet, and now chief
would henceforth have the upper hand edly bought four pieces. to us! As a present. His boss Sigmun- 100% knowledge about... editor of daily newspaper Morgun-
against demonstrators. This process And now they are here. A shipload. dur Dav also quipped on Facebook: Another Independence Party MP blai. Defending the weaponization,
was initiated and led by the Indepen- The shipment, still locked up in a Some people should stop shooting noted that, contrary to what the Left he wrote:
dence Party. During the sequence of warehouse, report- first and asking ques- thinks, We dont live in Disneyland. Only six years ago, a rioting mob
protests in 2008-2009, it is known that edly consists of 250 Another Independence tions later, especially When the government and its herd attacked Icelands house of parliament
Jn Bjartmarz did press for greater MP5s, of which 150 Party MP noted that, when it comes to ma- were done deriding journalists for and other public buildings... What
use of force against the public. are to be disseminat- chine guns. not having their facts straight, we would those frantic hordes have done
The point that Jn wanted to make ed to police depart-
contrary to what the The Interior learned that the facts they reported if they had reached their goal and bro-
was that, since the police have been ments around Ice- Left thinks, We dont Minister and Foreign had, indeed, been straight: The Nor- ken into Alingi? Perhaps most would
equipped with lethal weapons for such land. Icelands SWAT live in Disneyland. Minister both seem to wegian army confirmed DVs original rather not think that through. He
a long time, nothing is really changing. teams have had ac- agree that any public report; Iceland had purchased those concluded the passage with the words,
The point that many people heard in- cess to such weapons discussion is unnec- weapons, for money. Iceland denied, given a whole paragraph for emphasis:
stead was: these things are intended to before, but these will essary and have re- Norway insisted, and so back and forth "The Nation was then in grave danger."
keep us down. be distributed to ev- mained mostly mute. until Norway provided the invoice as The will to protest was demon-
ery precinct. Each The Interior Minister evidence. As if to provide comic relief, strated most recently last Monday,
330 machine guns at the precinct is free to remarked, This is Icelandic toll authorities subsequently when police confirm that 4,500 pro-
estimate how many a renewal of equip- sealed the warehouse where the guns testers gathered in front of Alingi,
top of the peace index they need, and to de- ment, nothing else. are kept, until the Coast Guard either which, according to unofficial pro-
cide if they will keep Meanwhile, mi- pays the applicable import fees, or, al- tocol, means that the actual numbers
For years, a debate has surfaced from the guns in patrol cars nor figures have spo- ternately, proves that the guns were, in were rather higher.
time to time, about whether or not tas- or at the station. Since the news broke ken up on behalf of the guns. While the fact, a present. The only recent incident of protest-
ers should be part of Icelandic polices out, it has been revealed that the Coast Coast Guard still pretended that the ers taking up arms against authorities
standard equipment. It seemed that Guard has actually been stockpiling guns were a gift, former police offi- The frantic, rioting mob was when stones were thrown at of-
several governments in a row sided weapons, since at least 2013. They cer Vilhjlmur rnasoncurrently an ficers in riot gear in January of 2009.
with those who opposed such weap- have disclosed nothing of their own Independence Party MPwent on the For what its worth, Iceland has resid- The police were exhausted and had
onry. Meanwhile, someone, some- volition, but according to their less se- radio to explain why the chief of police ed at the very top of the Global Peace depleted their pepper spray supplies.
where, silently had his or her way with cretive business partners abroad, they had accepted those presents: Because Index for seven years in a row. Why Thus left defenceless, they had, de
a much more efficient plan. Tasers acquired 50 unspecified machine guns he has Glock handguns all over the would police officers in such a country facto, been conquered.
are, of course, only occasionally le- from Norway last year, and 30 MG3s place. And its harder to take aim, per- feel a need to carry weapons worthy The question that, according to
thal. Meanwhile, no one argues with from Norway and Denmark. That's haps you are going to a school where of an Iron Man sequel through their
a Heckler & Koch MP5, which can be 330 machine guns in two years. there is an attack, and then you want daily routine? While authorities re- Continues on P.31
seen in action in films like Zero Dark to hit the right man. [] So its just, the main either mute or nonsensical, their
The Reykjavk Grapevine ats
8 wh t
?
Issue 17 2014
NEWS
his...
so
Iceland | For Dummies
IN
BRIEF
So What's This BY PAUL FONTAINE
I
test meetings, to denounce a veritable
cornucopia of bad policy decisions
celand has no army. It does in the Copenhagen University stu- (police estimated 4,500 attendees at
operate a Coast Guard, dents' militia, was appointed sheriff the protest, while some attendees es-
which does have four ships, in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago timated that they were in fact closer
three of which are combat- in 1853. Seemingly out of a mixture of to 7,000). This particular time around,
ready vessels. The Coast boredom and belief in the moral ben- the political party actually leading the
Guard has a wide variety of efits of military training, he founded countryin this case, the Progressives
guns at its disposal, from cannons to a battalion in Vestmannaeyjar. have most recently polled at just under
handguns. But it is not really a navy in 9%. Remember, folks: the last time a
any kind of traditional sense. The Na- Boredom is the most dangerous ruling coalition stepped down, it was
tional Police Commissioner also has a weapon. Genghis Khan got bored because one party didnt want to give
one day and decided to invade the the steering wheel to the other. Just
Special Unit of 50 police officers, nick-
something to bear in mind.
named The Viking Squad, which has shit out of everyone.
several units specialized in various as- He sure did. Though I think bore-
pects of armed conflict. dom was not the reason. The Vest-
mannaeyjar battalion got a small
Viking Squad? Should monks in grant from the Danish state as well
Britain and France start lock- as private funding, and at its height
ing their doors at night and pray numbered about 100 people. But it In happier political news, former
for safety from the wrath of the did not last long after the death of its Reykjavk mayor Jn Gnarr is
Northmen? founder. Denmark had no interest in considering a presidential run in
Just about the only thing the Vi- maintaining a military in Iceland, and 2016. This is a change from the last
king Squad has in common with their on the rare occasion that it felt the time he was asked on the matter, when
namesakes, Actual Vikings, is that need, it sent a ship over with some sol- he said he hadnt ruled it out, and the
diers. There was an army of Iceland, it time before that, when he said that he
neither wear helmets with horns.
would absolutely not run for president.
That is about it as far as anything that was the Danish military.
By all accounts Gnarr isnt playing
could be called a militarized force
some coy long-game here; it probably
in Iceland. With the best will in the Ah, so a military culture never de- genuinely takes a long time to con-
world, it includes about 250 people veloped in Iceland? vince some people to run for president,
that includes those who answer the Yes. Also, when Iceland declared as crazy as that sounds. Watch this
phones when you call the Coast Guard turn. It made for an unstable society, man merchants fought for control of independence from Denmark in space for when he officially throws his
office. This is not a recent develop- which was good material for saga- harbours in Iceland, with dozens of 1944 it was under occupation by the hat in the ring.
ment. Unlike military-free countries writing, but bad for getting through deaths. And, then, there was a mini- US. The Icelandic army was the US
such as Costa Rica or Haiti, Iceland life with all your limbs attached. religious war between Catholics and military. After World War II ended,
never had an army to disband. Lutherans. the US army left only to return in
I also sometimes do stupid things 1951 to set up a base, staying until
No army? So all these Vikings that to get a good story, like when I You see, the baby eel wriggled 2006. Meanwhile, Icelandic authori-
settled Iceland gave up their blood- stuck a baby eel up my nose. about for a while and then fell out. ties were happy to not have to spend
The saga of the guns from Nor-
letting ways? After Iceland became part of Maybe that's not such a good story. money on a military, though the right-
way just keeps getting weirder, or
First of all, the actual Vikings who Norway, and then of Denmark when With Icelands lack of army, the wing Independence Party long strove
more hilarious, depending on how you
settled Iceland were only a small pro- Norway became subject to the Dan- occasional pirate ship could have free to found an official citizens' militia to look at it. Despite repeated assurances
portion of the original settlers. Sec- ish king, there was little or no effort reign in the country, as could Danish beat up left-wingers and poor people. from the police and the Coast Guard
ond, no they certainly did not give up made to create an army in Iceland. adventurer Jrgen Jrgensen, who Sorry, I mean the militia was sup- that the guns were a gift and the sign-
their bloodletting ways. In the first There was not much gained for the took control of Iceland for a couple of posed to assist the police in sensitive ing of an invoice was just some Nor-
few centuries of its existence, Ice- Danish state in having an army in a months along with a few British mer- matters. wegian formality, it seems Norwegians
landic government had no executive generally quite peaceful country, es- chant buddies of his. However, mostly are insisting on getting paid for their
branch. People had to enforce laws pecially since transporting the troops no one wanted Iceland badly enough machine guns. For now, the machine
and court judgements on their own, to where they would be needed in to take it away from the Kingdom of guns are being held by toll authorities
which often meant doing so by force, mainland Europe would take months. Denmark, so an army was not need- until all this is straightened out. Which
which could lead to death and disfig- This lack of army sometimes caused ed. Though there was one instance
urement. And if someone harmed you problems, such as in the sixteenth of Danish authorities raising troops.
or your family, you had to retaliate in century, when English and Ger- Andreas August von Kohl, a captain CONTINUES OVER
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The Reykjavk Grapevine
10 Issue 17 2014
Aftermath
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Opinion | Xenophobia
Being
The Other
Words by Paul Fontaine
Photo by GAS
I wont soon forget the day I was finally awarded Icelandic citizenship. Having moved to
Iceland eight years previous, I fulfilled all the necessary requirements for a non-Schengen
immigrantI had been living continuously in Iceland for at least the past seven years, I
had not even so much as a speeding ticket on my criminal record, and I had received no
social assistance in the past three years before applying. However, I soon realized that
this was about as far as I was going to go towards integration. Citizenship is the immigra-
tion ceiling. You are, in the legal sense anyway, an Icelander like any other. In every other
sense, you are still a foreigner. You will always be a foreigner. Even your Iceland-born chil-
dren are categorized differently.
The most obvious example of this can This mentality is insulting to Ice- previous little things hurts just a little
be seen in our own immigration laws. landers. It tells them that they are some bit more.
Here, we see an unapologetic ethnic kind of time travellers from the Viking This is something I would like ev-
hierarchy at work in terms of which Age who have not socially evolved in eryone to have in mind the next time
foreigners will enjoy the most privilege centuries; that they are a superstitious you hear an immigrant say they have
upon arrival in Iceland: the best im- and fragile island people who just can- been discriminated against, or are hurt
migrants come from Scandinavia, fol- not handle new cultures, languages or by what they see as racism or xenopho-
lowed by other Schengen-area immi- religions, and rather than upsetting bia. It is not their job to learn to either
grants (that is, mostly western Europe), their narrow world view, foreigners accept it or laugh it off;
followed by everyone else. At the same must learn to be more like them. it is our job to listen If we want foreigners
time, according to Vihorf slendinga To be sure, Iceland is a special coun- and change our behav-
til innflytjenda slandi (Icelanders try in many ways. The danger comes iour. And no Icelander
to integrate better
attitudes towards immigrants in Ice- from believing this specialness gives should accept the no- into Icelandic society,
land), a report from 2009 done for Bi- us a pass to discriminate. But the key to tion that they belong we need to actively
frst University, the further away from undoing this lies in taking a more mod- to a fragile and medi-
Iceland an immigrant hails, the more ern, and more accurate, look at what it eval culture that can-
engage in not just
likely Icelanders are to view them in a means to be an Icelander. not adapt to change. changing the law but
negative light. In poll after poll over the years, the If we want for- changing how we
This is not to contend that immi- vast majority of foreigners report expe- eigners to integrate
gration law necessarily creates this riencing some form of prejudice from better into Icelandic
approach those who
outlook, but it does arguably legitimize Icelanders on a daily or almost daily ba- society, we need to voluntarily move here
heightened suspicion of non-European sis. I can attest that every time Grape- actively engage in not to start a new life for
immigrants in Iceland. So long as the vine has reported on this very basic and just changing the law
law itself divides immigrants into eth- demonstrable fact, there will always but changing how we themselves.
nic categories of being More Like Us be locals who respond with disbelief. approach those who
and Less Like Us, there can be no hope Surely this is a misunderstanding of voluntarily move here to start a new life
of undoing that mentality in the general what prejudice means, they argue. for themselves. We need to accept that
public. Maybe its a misunderstanding based we are a part of the rest of the world;
This More Like Us v. Less Like Us on language barriers. Maybe they just not separate from it. If we truly consid-
hierarchy is unfortunately used quite dont get the Icelandic way of being. er the future of this country something
often by some of this countrys louder Here I want to point out the concept of paramount importance, we need to
voices of intolerance. Turn on radio of death by a thousand cuts. Maybe make integration something that we do
station tvarp Saga, for example, and none of these things, by themselves, are for immigrants; not something immi-
you will very often hear this kind of necessarily a big deal. But imagine grants need to do on their own.
rhetoric: poor little Iceland just cannot you experienced these little things on
defend itself, culturally or linguisti- a more or less daily basis. The accumu-
cally, against a massive influx of non- lative effect wears a person down and
Scandinavian foreigners. Immigration grates on the nerves to the point where,
is new to Iceland, they say, and our very each time one of these little things
national existence is in danger. happen, the hurt you carry from all the
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The Reykjavk Grapevine The Reykjavk Grapevine What do you think? Is there good reason to make some noise? Or are folks just
14 Issue 16 2014 14 Issue 17 2014 honouring a newfangled tradition by now? Drop us a line: letters@grapevine.is
EYMUNDSSON
BOOKSTORES
Politics | Reykjavk News | Politics
BESTSELLERS
REPORT
A New
Die schnsten
3 Njals Saga - Wordsworth
Translated by Lee M. Hollander 4 islndischen Sagas
Rolf Heller
Wave Of
Icelanders are once again making
5 6 their dissent heard, loud and clear
Jar City Under The Glacier
Arnaldur Indriason Halldr Laxness
Protests
Words by Tmas Gabrel Benjamin Protest organizer Svavar Kntur,
as it all went down
Photos by Spessi
Die schnsten
7 I Remember You
Yrsa Sigurardttir 8 Erzhlungen Islands
Soffa Birgisdttir Tension has been rising in Iceland of late. An estimated 4,500 people attended a general
protest against the government on November 4, almost completely filling Austurvllur
by Alingi. This marks it as one of the biggest demonstrations this year. The event was
initially inspired by a Facebook rant from singer-songwriter Svavar Kntur, wherein he
bemoaned the current coalition governments favouritism of the rich and powerful.
Instigator Svavar Kntur began the Svavar added that this protest meet- listing what the government was doing
demonstration by addressing the crowd. ing was but the first of many to come. wrong. lf was joined at the protest by
In his speechwhich has been widely four family members.
shared across social media since the All kinds of people In conversation at the protest, Agent
eventhe likened the rally to the first of Fresco singer Arnr Dan Arnarson was
three warnings his father used to give Judging by the numerous signs and ban- less charitable, noting that there was a
troublemakers at the dinner table before ners present, those present were there great disparity between what the gov-
forcing them to leave. He went on to de- for a variety of reasons. Some signs in- ernment said and how it acted. It doesnt
Ashes to Dust Day is Dark mand that elected officials do their job sisted that the government was corrupt make sense to say theres no money to
9 Yrsa Sigurardttir 10 Yrsa Sigurardttir with integrity, modesty and a modicum
of respect for the general public, while
and pandered to the wealthy and power-
ful, while others displayed socialist slo-
resuscitate our crumbling healthcare
system, while at the same time lower-
condemning their actions of late; which gans or urged for new elections. ing taxes on wealthy fisheries and quota
he said included refusing to take any Teacher lf Hnfjr Samelsdt- owners. He went on to say that apparent
THE LIST REPRESENTS SALES FROM ALL EYMUNDSSON BOOKSTORES form of criticism seriouslyat best re- tir, 53, told me she was felt compelled moves to privatization and police mili-
sponding with condescensionleaking to protest due to on-going strikes in the tarization were signs of Iceland moving
misleading personal information about educational and health sectors. She de- further away from the Nordic welfare
asylum seekers, and covertly weaponiz- scribed the situation as hopeless, and state ideal, and closer to the US model.
ing their police force. said didnt even know where to begin This government is out of touch with
The Reykjavk Grapevine
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OMG!
Literature| Too much
Bookflood
Is Coming
Tis the season to buy one of
800 new Icelandic books for
your friends and family
Words by John Rogers
Photos by Hrur Sveinsson
Icelandic winter really, really sucks. Its dark almost all the
time, and the streets are icy and beset by freezing winds
and snow. The mood of Reykjavks denizens noticeably
changes at this time of year, with many people suffering
sleep disorders or SAD, and generally withdrawing back
into domestic life. Its a time of lining the home nest, cook-
ing hot stews and soups, turning up the heating, perhaps
shying away from more social events than usual, and gen-
erally strapping in for the long, dark months ahead.
With indoor activities the order of the author top-tens and literary gift ideas. quarter, he says. Its getting crazy culture in the centuries that followed via really competing with just a couple of
day, its a perfect time to engage with But here in Iceland, the flood has some now. There are so many books coming kvldvaka, a time of the evening when major titles, say, the ones in the crime-
things that have long hovered on the interesting numbers attached to it, and inin this store, we got eight titles yes- members of the household would gather fiction genre. They get engaged in a kind
backburnercreative practices and the feel of a more defined cultural tradi- terday alone, some by really big authors, around the fire to carry out domestic of hyped-up chart race, and all the press
amusements, perhaps, such as painting, tion that makes it stand out from what so many releases just blend in with each tasks like knitting and sewing, inventing is about just those few books."
writing or knittingor just curling up goes on elsewhere. otherpeople have to be really clever to and reciting poems and stories as they And with popular genres dominating
with a mug of coffee and a pile of books. For a start, theres the sheer number rise to the top." worked. the media coverage, it can be tough for
Handy, then, that Iceland is home to of new titles that come out. In 2013, over By the 20th century, literature had books that lie outside of more commer-
a seasonal book bonanza known as the 800 new books hit the shelves during the Tell me a story became a source of national pride, cial concerns to get the attention they
jlabkafl, which translates literally jlabkafl, accounting for a whopping with the countrys overall literacy rat- deserve. We have many very promising
as the "Christmas book flood. Litera- 80% of countrys entire annual literary But, first things firsthow did all this ing amongst the best in the world. But young authors, says Kristjn, and Ive
ture becomes a hot topic of conversation output. This number places Iceland at come about? Well, settle down, chil- as well as these cultural precursors of seen their new works drown in the book
leading into Christmas, with people the top of a whole drenthe theories on jlabkafl, theres an economic story flood. Great titles come out from some
treating the gifts they select as a point bunch of inter- "Great titles come out jlabkafls origins to be told. Around the time of World War of Iceland's best up and coming authors,
of pride. Indeed, the bookstores of Reyk- national charts, are many, and tap II, most imports to Iceland were heavily but they just vanish. Theyre probably in
javk see an annual torrent of new titles including the one
from some of Iceland's into various strands taxedwith paper being a rare excep- the back of the warehousebehind all
hitting the shelves almost simultaneous- about new books best up and coming of culture and history tion. This convergence of a strong liter- the shelves of new books, theres a sec-
ly, with shopkeepers bracing themselves released per-capi- authors, but they just that reach back to the ary culture and financial practicality tion they call the black hole, with all the
for masses of customers aiming to snap tain fact, its more countrys very begin- clicked together neatly into the seasonal forgotten books.
up the most talked-about titles. than double that
vanish. Theyre prob- nings. As far back tradition we still see today. And once the new book! novelty
of Icelands Nordic ably in the back of the as the 12th century, has worn off, theres currently not much
Old Icelandic proverb: neighbours, with warehousebehind Iceland was already a Not waving, but chance for worthy contenders to reach
around five titles Nordic literary leader their audience. The lifetime of each title
books make good gifts published for every all the shelves of new via the sagasthat is, drowning in the market is definitely getting short-
1000 Icelanders. books, theres a section those famous historic Back in present, jlabkafl isn't all er, says Kristjan. People often work on
Of course, a Christmas book-rush is not Kristjn Freyr they call the black epics about revenge, fireside tales and bedtime stories. This books for years, and then the release date
unique to Iceland. Books are a classic Halldrsson is violence, intrigue, im- unusual congestion of new books means comes, but within two months theres a
present, ranking with an HBO box set the manager of hole, with all the for- probable adventures that, inevitably, some titles are left by the yellow tag on the cover, and the price is
for a sibling or a bottle of whisky for dad Laugarvegur book- gotten books. and ill-fated affairs, wayside or buried beneath the weight of reduced from 6,000 to 2,000 ISK. Its
in imagination. The phenomenon of the shop Ml og men- boasting a body count the competition. But the way that main like a conveyor beltit happens so fast,
Christmas book rush is consistent across ning. He sits on the front lines as the that makes Vin Diesel look like the Dalai publishers carry out their marketing is a and before you know it, youre falling off
Europe, with many national newspapers jlabkafl approaches each year. I Lama. problem too. the end.
in England and France, for example, would say 60-70% of all the books we This love of tall tales and storytelling The worst thing about the jlabkaf-
publishing an entire section featuring stock each year come out in the last was woven further into early Icelandic l, says Kristjn, is that publishers are
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The Reykjavk Grapevine
18 Issue 17 2014
Future
Perfect
Words by Rebecca Scott Lord
Photos by Hrur Sveinsson &
provided by Megngulj.
I.
shells of buildings
illuminated ashore
lay their lustre against the sky
we hold hands
on the seawall
Icelanders rich literary history is an enduring point of that Reykjavk was
marvel the disappearance of a planet
Birth lished this year has balanced out to about
all of a sudden dis- an equal number of men and women,
pride for the nation, greatly contributing to the national tinctly and lamen- Megng ulj's reflective of the number of writers really
(everyone leaves here in the end)
identity, even providing the basis for their claims to in- tably lacking a lit- first book came in out there. "Our mission early on became
erary scene. They the spring of 2012, to find these voices that weren't getting
dependence in the 19th and 20th centuries. Long before shadows swallow reflections
found that read- a collaborative heard or weren't getting their stuff out
and we can no longer make out
the onslaught of the ongoing nation branding campaigns ings and events for who is swimming toward us work written by elsewhere," Vala says.
based on the reputation of revered musicians like Bjrk writers to come Vala and Kri and
and Sigur Rs, Icelanders liked to present themselves as together had be- we are forgotten in waves published as a sub- Breathe
come alarmingly vanish by the seabed sidiary of the small
a literary nationThe Story Islandon the world stage, rare, while poetry press Stella, owned Megngulj started out finding their
frequently boasting of their high literacy rates and fabled books were pro- absently we lay by their friend and authors mainly through word of mouth.
hibitively expen- the foundation of a footprint co-founder Svein- Kri and Vala would attend readings,
storytelling tradition. sive, the average bjrg Bjarnadttir. and when they witnessed someone they
price hovering at Bjrk orgrmsdttir In the beginning, found interesting they tracked him or
Indeed, before Bjrk, there was Snorri of fiction, and some of those will eventu- around 5,000 ISK (Megngulj 2014) Megng u lj her down, and offer to work with them.
Sturluson. Stretching from the Sagas of ally become revered literary figures. for a hardcover. published a large And what Megngulj provides, its
the Icelanders written in the 13th and It all starts somewhere. "That price made it number of women real value, goes far beyond just printing
14th centuries, all the way to the diverse Which leads one to ask: whats brew- sort of precious somehow," Vala says. "It authors, leading some to conclude that and distribution. They assign an editor
literary scenes of the 20th and 21st cen- ing in Iceland at the moment? What are wasn't a part of the everyday. You weren't they were only publishing women. They to work with each poet, taking between
turies, the tradition of the written word our youngest writers up to, and where picking it up and carrying it around say they weren't necessarily implement- six to nine months to revise and craft the
is almost forcefully ingrained into Ice- are they headed? with you and chatting with your friends ing a quota, however, it was just that a lot manuscript. In the beginning, the editing
landic culture. A widely disseminated about it. We basically wanted to make the of interesting women attracted their at- was solely in the hands of Vala and Kri,
myth states that one in ten Icelanders Pregnancy whole experience more casual, to make it tention. "I don't know what it is exactly," who took turns doing every other manu-
will publish a book in their lifetime, and so that you could go to a caf and pick up Vala says, "but it's a fact that fewer wom- script. By now, they've gotten established
while that is mostly bullshit, the sparse A quick survey of the local lit scene re- the newest poet." en get published than men in Iceland, writers on board as editors, fostering a
populace still manages to produce an im- veals that a group of young poets oper- To begin with, Vala and Kri drew on and it's worse, statistically, in poetry than connection between the younger and
pressive amount of literature. ating under the name Megngulj the low-cost model of zines and indepen- in other literary fields." Vala says she older generations of writers.
So, lets say you decide to devote your (translated literally as pregnancy po- dent publishingwhich they had grown was particularly troubled by a report by Vala is gung-ho about the collab-
life to writing literature in a language of ems) has been the most prominent and familiar with in the USto make a series newspaper Frttablai around Christ- orative aspect of the editing process. In
only 330,000 native speakers. How do active in carving out space for themselves of chapbooks: small handmade books mas 2013, which said that only 37% of working with an editor, she says that ev-
you get started? How can you make your of late, making their presence widely featuring a selection of works by a par- the short stories and novels published ery single manuscript is improved in all
voice heard? As literary scholar Jn Yn- known and slowly infiltrating the dis- ticular poet, often their first published that year were authored by women. Even sorts of ways. "There's some sort of magic
gvi Jhannsson details in a sidebar to this course. Founded by Valgerur rodds- work. The two of them casually refer to more striking were the statistics from in the collaboration," she says. "I think it's
article, a common route for young would- dttir and Kri Tulinius, Megngulj the first project of Megngulj as the the field of poetry, where a mere fifth of invaluable just getting real feedback. The
be authors since the advent of modernity was conceived as an independent pub- "coffee series," as the idea became to sell poetry books published in 2013 were by idea isn't to put a leash on the writing.
has seen them grouping together under a lisher of poetry that would provide young each book for around the price of a cup of women authors. It's about creating a dialogue." She goes
banner, fleshing out and promoting mu- poets an opportunity to release their coffee, or between 4-500 ISK. Their goal of trying to represent with on to emphasize that getting out of your
tual mythologies and shared aesthetics work through a professional yet highly "The idea came in the wintertime of equality the gender breakdown of the own headspace is critical, and that the
(that are often in opposition to their pre- DIY process, providing vital support, re- 2010 and 2011," Kri says, "when the re- real literary scene thus came naturally. notion that writers are solitary creatures
decessors) as they claim space for them- sources and encouragement. cession was still biting very hard and the Vala says that with regard to who is actu- who produce masterpieces in a vacuum
selves and their contemporariesusually Vala and Kri conceived the idea and post-pots and pans revolution excitement ally out there writing, the ratio is closer is largely a myth. To her, a sense of com-
emphasizing poetry over prose. Eventu- M.O. of Megngulj after having each was sort of starting to wane." to 50/50, which can be affirmed by sur- munity is important, and that's exactly
ally, some of those authors will branch just come back to Iceland from stints in veying the Writers Union records. The what she and Kri are aiming to do with
out into publishing more popular forms the US. Upon returning, both noticed gender ratio that Megngulj pub- Megngulj.
The Reykjavk Grapevine
Issue 17 2014 19
Snfellsjkull seen
from a motionless bus
A damp entanglement of paper clings
to the sky
I swipe Snfells glacier from the win-
dow
and make a note of the things
I should have said to you:
"They're all in their own world, writ- movement publisher. "Frankly, in some ing written and 1) under a flat, glassy surface ous than an hon-
Scream ing and reading their own stuff. I think ways it's because movements are in- pursued. Haukur there are stones which are stones est poetat their
it's important to come to these meeting ternally sort of volatile. We like to keep Mr says that the 2) snow softens; best, they can be a
While Megngulj might be the most points where authors meet authors and things as drama free as possible. We're conscious reasons I am a mountain that is a mountain culture's most dev-
prominent group of the moment, it is far poets meet poets. Then you're not alone poets, not playwrights." to create poetry astating social and
from the only game in town, with several and you're not just putting your poems "have to do with Snfellsjkull will be tossed in a bin political critics."
will decompose among banana peals, T h i s
other collectives and publishing groups in a drawer." She says that there's always What's poetry got to do ideas about poetry
paper cups, pop cans, candy wrappers
keeping the literary scene alive, each something that comes from these gather- being a good crite- critical potential
with their mission statements and defin- ings and can be used in her own poetry or with it? rion for one's capa-
refuse which is refuse
rears its head in a
ing characteristics. just her life. Almost all writers affiliated with the Ice- bilities, while also different way for
poems document landscape;
Started in 2013 by Slveig Matthil- "Theres a nice atmosphere among landic literary scene, past and present, lo- being an important every generation
feelings rot
dur Kristjnsdttir, Fryrkjan is a punk the young writers, and I do feel they cal and abroad, seem to have started their place for practice: of poets. Who can
poetry group of sorts. Slveig herself is are generally supportive of each other," careers with poetry. As long as there's to actually focus Kri Tulinius say exactly what
young, 19 years old, and many of the early says Arngunnur rnadttir, another been a prose tradition in Iceland, there's on your writing, (Megngulj 2013) this generation
members were around that age, though Megngulj poet. "The group of peo- also been an equally strong current of po- word by word, find is reacting to and
now the membership has expanded to ple surrounding Megngulj is fantas- etry running alongside. This traditional your own desires criticising? Opin-
those in their mid-to-late twenties. The tic and its been inspiring to get to know fare is the stuff of the Sagas, with rigid and tendencies in ions vary, and it's
group hosts monthly readings, currently them." rules for composition, mandatory end its employment, in the way you bend it or difficult to know because there hasn't
at Brav, where Slveig works as a bar- When asked if she thinks they've rhymes and a strong emphasis on alliter- squeeze it or explode it. I think these are yet been an opportunity for hindsight.
tender. The scene at Fryrkjans readings been successful in fostering a communi- ation. The Atom Poets broke free of this not just rationalizations, but quite valid Haukur Mr, who is from the generation
is Bacchanalian, fueled by beer and a raw ty, Vala says she can't really answer that, in the post WWII period, forming the reasons for at least some writers." above the poets just coming up, notices
edge. And in contrast to Megngulj, as she's far too close to the action to have first modern poetic movement in Iceland There's something about poetry an almost bitter sense. "If they have any-
the groups poets claim they arent at all an objective opinion. Kri feels similarly, with their free verse, and subsequent that appeals to an Icelandic sensibility, thing in common, as far as I see, it would
interested in editing and refining their describing Megngulj as a generation movements have continued the theme of though it's not necessarily just by virtue be a sense of disillusion, giving birth to
poetry, focusing on just writing it and rather than a movement, in the sense that breaking from the past, including Nhil, of being an Icelander that writers here various different responses, from the fin-
performing on stage. They published the poets they've published so far were the most recent movement, whose most start with it. Many, if not all writers con- est cynicism to calls for arms. It might go
their first compilation of 21 poems in Au- all born in the 80s. He says, "There are active years were between 2004 and tinue on through their careers thinking somewhat hand in hand with a hopeless
gust of 2012, and their second one in De- certain things in common with aesthet- 2009. of themselves as poets first, and novel- political situation, an enduring crisis of
cember of this year. Meanwhile, Slveig ics, but we haven't sat down and worked Haukur Ingvarsson is an author, ists, screenwriters, or whatever else sec- identity, of the economy, and of exis-
herself is currently working on a book out a manifesto. And I don't think we literary scholar and poet who debuted ond. Says Kri, "I think it's common all tence."
that Megngulj will publish come would ever do that, for various reasons. during Nhils heyday. He describes over the world, the idea that poetry is the
next year. We're not neces- their approach to language as being very expression of the soul. I think that idea How to make a living in
Emil Hjrvar sarily speaking as different from a lot of what's happening has very strong currency in Iceland. For
Petersen, another some sort of con- now. He says they were very focused on instance, though I am primarily in many three easy steps
poet published by
Me g n g u lj ,
January 3rd sensus, and in that
sense, we're not a
language and political aspects of it, but at
the same time playing a lot with its sound
ways a novelist, I believe in poetry in a
way that I don't believe in novels, in a sort If it's not particularly financially viable to
is a part of a self- Mitten-clad hands opened beer bot- movement." and utilising both high- and lowbrow sty- of almost religious sense." make a living off writing, and especially
publishing ven- tles with a key and we sipped from K r i listics. It's almost a given that a writer in Ice- poetry, then how are there so many Ice-
ture called Nykur, them while trampling the snow in goes on to say, "I One of Nhil's founders, Haukur land is also a poet, no matter what genre landic poets and writers alive and well?
originally started dress shoes. We walked single-file do think that all Mr Helgason, posits that while poetry or literary scene he or she eventually The majority of writers have two or three
in 1995 by Andri through the graveyard, holding on of the poets that might be a natural driving force behind gravitates towards. Sverrir Norland, au- other jobs, like Slveig of Fryrkjan who
Snr Magnason as to each other so no one lost their way we've published, at the urge to write for some, it's not finan- thor of Kvasnillingarnir, a novel pub- bartends at Brav and Hrra, or sta
a means to facili- among the gravestones. Beyond the least in the shorter cially viable to dedicate one's writing life lished this past September by Iceland's Fanney who gets to eats whenever she
graveyard followed a sharp, steep hill, works, the little largest publisher, says he started writing sells a drawing. But surely this can't be
tate authors who to poetry, since Iceland is too small of a
which we didnt realize until we had
wished to publish books, are react- country to foster a literary market that poetry as a child. His first two published the only way, because romantic as it is to
half-rolled, half-ran down it. Still we
their own works. ing to what hap- could support that. Writers who are pri- works were poetry books, and then he be a starving artist, it's not exactly a sus-
landed on our feet and stood in the
sta Fanney backyard of a house. Made a racket un- pened in Iceland marily novelists but started out as just moved on to prose, his current focus. "I'm tainable career goal.
Sig u ra rdt t i r, der the bedroom window and smoked and the chaotic poets might have been able to continue a poetry guy, even though I don't really Haukur Mr states it frankly, "Icelan-
a poet who has a bunch of cigarettes. We sprinted over period thats been on with poetry, had they been born in write much poetry anymore. But I read dic writers can make a career of writing
published with Tjrnins sheet of ice, letting ourselves ongoing since the countries with larger language zones and itit's my main source of energy." because the state funds them. Period.
Me g n g u lj , glide across, fell and hurt ourselves end of 2008." As therefore space to support the subculture Vala asserts that not only is poetry Over 90% of published literature does
says that groups more than we expected. Kept going life-changing as that is poetry. Nhil co-founder Eirkur a natural thing for a writer, it's also the not sell sufficiently to keep the author
such as Megn- and kept falling. There were stars in the financial cri- rn similarly says, "Iceland is too small bravest kind of writing. "In some ways, alive along with the publisher and the
gulj are critical the sky but we didnt see them for the sis was, especially to have a substantial subcultureevery- it's easier to criticise, easier to mock, be- rest of the industry. About half probably
to foster a system street lights. Anyway, we didnt want for people of his thing has to exist within the mainstream cause its disarmingly simple. In that way manages to cover printing costs by sales
of encouragement. to see anything in this ice cold gale. generation, just to be able to subsist. Literature is more I think poetry is a bit like being naked. only. But the deciding factor is this one
"I think that poets coming of age, he and more a cultural sidenote and poetry Like making love, or being made love to, fund, founded by the state in 1969, where
Arngunnur rnadttir
are really some- reiterates that he is a cultural side note within literature." it requires a very concentrated surren- artists, including writers, can apply for
(Megngulj 2013)
times like lone doesn't have any Despite the fact that it's not finan- der. And when its good, its terrifyingly a salary. It is a stipend, but received on
wolves," sta says. interest in being a cially viable, poetry is still actively be- honest. There's nothing more danger- a monthly basis, for three, six, nine or
The Reykjavk Grapevine
20 Issue 17 2014
Some accounts claim that modern Ice- many people attended a poetry read- The spectre of Nhil
landic literature began in 1835, when ing in Iceland. The reading was the
four young students started their own culmination of the groups success, The 1980s and 90s saw other groups
literary journal in Copenhagen. Their but they went on to host other read- of poets and artists; some were short-
influences and impulses came from Eu- ings around the country. The group lived and loosely affiliated, others have
rope; an amalgam of reigning Enlight- and other writers around it has been had a lasting impact. Besti vinur lj-
enment ideals of progress and a desire dubbed the funny generation, as sins (The poems best friend) hosted
to disseminate bright new ideas and ro- their writing showed a humour and a series of poetry readings from 1986-
mantic aesthetics that they had picked irony that was sometimes absent from 91, bringing together poets and writers
up in their exile. The name of their jour- both contemporary modernists and from Medsa, Listaskldin vondu and
nal, Fjlnir, came from the writings of more overtly political writers. various younger poets.
the medieval historian Snorri Sturlu- Members of the funny genera- The most influential group of young
son. Fjlnir was a mythical king of the tion are still active in Icelandic litera- poets and intellectuals in recent years
Swedes, who sadly drowned in a large ture, and since the late 70s, grassroots has been Nhil, founded in 2004. The
twelve months a year, depending on the come as a surprise. One feature, however, vessel of mead, which he fell into while groups have regularly emerged on the name of the group is a pun on nihil(ism),
artist's recognition and the quality of his/ that I think may be important, is emanci- dead drunk. scene: young poets, novelists and art- n meaning new in Icelandic. The
her application." pation from the fetishisation of language. From then on, we can tell the same ists that have later found their way into wordplay, the mixture of Icelandic and
It would be almost impossible for a As in: this particular language, Icelandic. story over and over again: young and mainstream Icelandic literature and foreign languages and the connotations
writer to make a living if they had to rely The adoration of linguistic texture has at aspiring poets form a group, and pub- beyond. The fairly recent suburb of of the neologism capture Nhils spirit.
only on the sales of their books, according times been somewhat been given prefer- lish journals or even books on their Breiholt, Icelanders first attempt at The group was very active until 2010,
to Haukur Ingvarsson. The grant system ence over thought or any other content." own until they are gradually accepted creating a concrete jungle, gave birth publishing poetry and nonfiction, host-
is necessary for the health of the literary He says this focus can make it easy to de- into the mainstreamthat is, if they to the most influential of these: the sur- ing international poetry festivals and
scene, too, he says: "The existence of dif- velop tunnel vision for Iceland and only avoid falling into large vessels of mead realist group Medsa, founded by six readings. Nhils aesthetics were avant-
ferent kinds of literature is vital for the Iceland, ignoring the existence of the rest or other beverages. adolescents in 1979. In the following garde and experimental, its politics left
scene to function." Poetry is what fuels of the world and, therefore, the context in Fifty years later, four Icelandic years, the group studied and practiced wing and radical. The groups interna-
the writers of other genres like fiction, which Iceland sits. students again form a literary journal, surrealism in various forms inspired tional character and individual mem-
like Sverrir Norland said. Emil is optimistic about the current this time aiming to import naturalism by its ideological founders, and in close bers networking with foreign artists
It's a fairly cut variety in the lit- and new political trends from Den- cooperation with similar groups that are among its strongest characteristics.
and dried process erature he sees mark. Again, the name was borrowed were still active in other parts of Eu- And once again, literary history
to apply for a sti- coming out of Ice- from Snorri. This time, it was Veran- rope. Medsa organised happenings, repeats itself: from the grassroots and
pend: you need to Urban Surf land. "With a new di, one of three witches that spin the held poetry readings at punk rock con- experimental environment of Nhil
submit a detailed generation, the threads of destiny in Old Norse-Ice- certs, published volumes of poetry, and writers have slowly but surely emerged
proposal, and Nauseous from hunger genres come out landic mythology. in the true spirit of the avant-garde, into the mainstream, broadening it at
we stretch out in the gutter
sometimes a CV. of hiding, writers Another fifty years later, The As- wrote manifestos describing the group the same time. Eirkur rn Nordahl,
and touch
However, the vast will experiment sociation of Revolutionary Writers and its goals. According to the group, Steinar Bragi and Kristn Eirksdttir
like teenagers
majority of people in other ways, and appeared on the scene; abandoning itself, Medsa was made from 7 kilos now form the vanguard of Icelandic lit-
receiving such a bird in the eaves above 'the Icelandic nov- the custom of choosing medieval flour, 23 grams surrealism, 13 grams erature, even making noise abroad.
grants are over the blushes el' will change." names for their journal, they named dada, a teaspoon of punk, a kilometre of Nhil was boisterous and loud. In
age of 30, and have melts He says he worries it, rather appropriately, The Red Pens. Yasmin tea and 666 litres magic. comparison, the latest groups of poets
already published and sinks to the ground about the govern- Modernism and the post-war avant- The most prominent figure of to emerge may seem rather tame. The
a book before. So ments proposed garde also had their journal, the in- Medsa was Sjn, who published his lo-fi output of Megngulj (Partus
the means to sup- deep down (inside me) raise in VAT on fluential Birtngur (Candide) pub- first volume of poetry at the age of 16 Poetry) is a recent example, as are the
port oneself until are streets books, along with lished in the 1950s and 60s. and has since become an internation- more elaborate books of Tunglbkur
those almost es- delineated in water its much maligned ally acclaimed novelist. He received the (Moonbooks) a small publishing
a shimmering wet cuts to arts and
sential criteria Get vile! Nordic Council Literary Prize in 2005, house operated by artists and writers
are reached are culture funding, and has already been translated into 25 which only publishes books on a full
there I stow the salt
slapdash and hap- positing that they Many, if not most of the literary groups languages. moon. But, if things may seem peace-
and the zippers
hazard: side jobs, a have the potential which have been formed since the first Members of Medsa later joined ful at the moment we can find hope and
generous family, or to negatively affect edition of Fjlnir rolled off the printing other groups combining literature, vi- comfort in the words of Sjn: There is
Valgerur roddsdttir
student loans. (Megngulj 2013) the literary scene. press in Copenhagen have, in one way sual arts and music, most notably Sme- this tendency in European art that once
"And I think, His hope is that or another, identified with the found- kkleysa (Bad Taste Ltd.), founded in things seem to have reached some sort
aside from any ar- the work of small ing fathers, the Fjlnismenn (The Men 1986 by the members of Medsa and of an equilibrium, some bullies come
tistic merit, a col- publishers like of Fjlnir). This was also the case in their friends, many of whom went on along and hurl themselves on the see-
lective can be tremendously important in Megngulj, who he says has created 1976 when Listaskldin vondu (The to found The Sugarcubes. Among them saw; sending the old into the air from
those formative years," says Haukur Mr, a new poetry scene in no time, contin- vile poets) appeared on the scene. The were writers like Fririk Erlingsson where it may never return.
"at least as a mental and social support ues because despite the larger publishers name is a parody of a nickname given and Bragi lafsson (the Sugarcubes
system. When your extended family and putting out great books, "in the long run to most revered of the Fjlnismen, J- bass player), who, like so many Icelan- Jn Yngvi Jhannsson is an adjunct lecturer
your acquaintances from school, even it's not healthy for literature to have such nas Hallgrmsson, Listaskldi ga dic authors, started out as a poet but has at the University of Iceland where he teaches
close friends, don't understand why you monotony. The more variety, the better (The fine poet). The scene they first since become one of Icelandic litera- modern Icelandic literature, Scandinavian
botherhaving a group of people who for literature." appeared on, very literally, was at the tures finest and most unconventional literature and literary theory. He has writ-
share the manic obsession can be tre- Vala herself agrees that the cyclical University Cinema, where 1,300 pay- novelists. ten on Icelandic literary history and Danish-
mendously helpful." pattern will continue. She specifically ing guests were crammed in, some of Icelandic literary history. His latest book is a
The pattern that's repeated every gen- hopes for the poets of Megngulj to them sitting in folded chairs or in the biography on Gunnar Gunnarsson, a major
eration is a fading away of the previous flourish and keep at it. She believes the aisles. Never before, or since, have so Danish-Icelandic author.
literary scene, the forming of a new com- poets in Megngulj have the poten-
munity with a new sense of purpose, and tial to be the great voices of tomorrow.
then their subsequent fade. That's not to To Vala, diversity is critical, both with
say that the members of each generation the voices in poetry and literature, and
just go away when the collective goes. culture and society at large, and her de- TVEIR HRAFNAR
Certainly members of groups like sire is for the powers that be to recognize JN SKAR lisths, Art Gallery
Nhil and its predecessors, like surrealist and appreciate this. The politicians who NOVEMBER 8TH - offers a range of artwork by
collective Medsa (more on page 20), are are in charge of funding arts and culture NOVEMBER 29TH contemporary Icelandic artists
still extremely active, their publications have a great responsibility to nourish it. represented by the gallery,
regularly topping critics lists and even "I cling to the belief that if we keep en- selected works by acclaimed
artists and past Icelandic
sales charts. couraging a diverse range of voices we're
masters.
Haukur Ingvarson thinks this gen- bound to end up with a revolution. James
Hallgrmur Helgason
erational cycle will continue. He says that Baldwin once wrote, 'Where the poet Hbert Ni Jhannesson
each generation "not only invents itself, can sing, the people can live. When a ci- Jn skar
but also picks up older authors from pre- vilisation treats its poets with the disdain li G. Jhannsson
Ragnar risson
vious scenes that were perhaps not paid with which we treat ours, it cannot be far
Steinunn rarinsdttir
much attention and it reevaluates their from disaster.' I want to give poets the
Also works by:
work and literary history." Literature is chance to sing. Poets can be great critics. Gubjrg Lind Jnsdttir
like Ouroboros, with no discernible be- They can spark things. You give them the Hulda Hkon
ginning or end, at least not within any- chance and they will, as Baldwin says, Sara Oskarsson
Kristjn Davsson
one's living memory. Things, authors, empty oceans with a home-made spoon
Nna Tryggvadttir
stories, forms are constantly recycled and and tear down mountains with their among others
woven into the new narrative. hands."
As to where it's going, Haukur Mr TVEIR HRAFNAR lisths, Art Gallery
can't say. "I wouldn't dare to propose any Baldursgata 12 101 Reykjavk (at the corner of Baldursgata and Nnnugata, facing rr Frakkar Restaurant)
Phone: +354 552 8822 +354 863 6860 +354 863 6885 art@tveirhrafnar.is www.tveirhrafnar.is
direction. Anything worth anything will Opening hours: Thu-Fri 12pm - 5pm, Sat 1pm - 4pm and by appointment +354 863 6860
5*$,&54"55)Z''*$&
888)"31"*4&910
SUPER
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1
The Reykjavk Grapevine
ART
MUSIC 22 Issue 17 2014
STRAUMUR
Welcome
To The
New Year
Straumur Straumur radio show airs
Mondays on X977 at 23:00
www.straum.is
Words
li Dri & Dav Roach
By the time this issue hits the streets, we will be halfway through the fourteenth edition of
the Iceland Arwaves festival. At the day of publication, Friday November 7, Straumur will
be hosting an off-venue show at the independent cinema B Parads, where Vorhees, Sin
Fang and Unknown Mortal Orchestra will perform (in that order!) from 16:15-19:00. Later
that same day, we will also be hosting an official Airwaves show at Gaukurinn (starting
at 20:00) where, among others, Oyama, Strigaskr Nr. 42, Black Bananas and Fufanu will
grace the stage. The off-venue in B Parads continues throughout the weekend during
the daytime, so be sure to drop by.
Iceland Airwaves always sort of feels like Singapore Sling Place, whose title song features Jfrur
it marks the beginning of a new year on kadttir (Samaris, Pascal Pinon) on
the musical calendar, with many musi-
The Tower Of Foronicity vocals, sounding like the faded whis-
cians timing their releases around the perings of a young Bjrk. The EP sports
festival. For your benefit, weve sifted two excellent remixes from Ruxpin and
through a lot of quality music in the past M-Band, and a couple more instrumen-
month, checking out all that new stuff. tal songs in the vein of the experimental
Here are some of the highlights! electronica from the Brainfeeder label.
KiasmosKiasmos Singapore Sling is the leatherclad,
shades-wearing dark horse of the Reyk- GrsalappalsaStrax dag
javk rock scene, staring with apathy into
the ether to the soundtrack of their blar-
ing feedback-laden drones. This album
is one of their most lo-fi yet, and mixes
surging guitars with swaggering rocka-
The debut LP from the duo of lafur billy and a cool so effortless and full of
Arnalds and Bloodgroups Janus is full hateful contempt that it permeates every Postpunk pranksters Grsalappalsa just
of beautifully rendered tracks that draw inch of the album. released a cover of Strax dag, by one
from techno, ambient and neo-classical. of Icelands most beloved pop groups:
Merging the organic, analogue and digi- OyamaCoolboy Stumenn. Their treatment is true to the
tal, the album deftly navigates extended spirit of the original, although a lot rough-
grooves and subtle melodic swifts with er around the edges.
great assurance. The best songs remind
us quite a bit of Jon Hopkinss excellent
Immunitynot a small compliment.
Album
Reviews Amazing
6 course menu
ta
ga
Hv
ar
music written for several art projects. It These curious and clever piano min- erf
kj
isg
L
ata
is in essence a multi-soundtrack album, iatures are done a disservice when Lkjar-
torg
La
and its title is an appropriate portman- masked by reverb; Stofuvals is one of ug
av
eg
i ur
teau that sandwiches together chro- the least shadowy works, and one can
t
ti
ti
r
str
r
la
sst
Sk
matic and romantic. notice the interesting harmonies and
sst
la
lf
Sk
olt
Ing
v
gh
ru
Our kitchen is open tm
in
an
st.
ns
minute EP revolve around an old pi- hear the pieces alternatively recorded
st
g sushisamba
17.0023.00 sun.thu.
ur
ingholtsstrti 5 101 Reykjavk
ano, seemingly left to go out of tune on a clear, crisp piano, which would 17.0024.00 fri.sat. Tel 568 6600 sushisamba.is
and gather dust. Each piece channels bring out Sleys unique compositional
composers known for their piano mu- voice while still referencing their 19th
sic, especially the late Romanticists of century classical role models.
the 19th century, like Rachmaninoff, 'Krmantik' is a good collection
An absolute
Shostakovich, and Prokofiev. Stiklur piece for those who may know of S-
is winding and chromatic; Kasmsik leys music, and evokes images of mu-
and Efterteiti are macabre dances, sic halls past. But for those looking
not out of place in a Tim Burton film. for a more substantial work, we await
must-try!
The titular song Krmantk is a bit the next LP. For Sley, whose previous
more familiar to contemporary ears, works lay in a colorful area between
and it builds wordless vocals in lay- genres, these tracks feel ghostly and
ers. For those who read music, the pale.
sheet music images that appear in the
liner notes will be a bonus, giving you a - NATHAN HALL Saegreifinn restaurant (Sea Baron) is like none other
in Iceland; a world famous lobster soup and a diverse
fish selection. Open 11:30 -22:00
Worm Is Green - To Them We Are Only Shadows
ATA:DIGITAL (2014)
www.wormisgreen.com
24
Brunch
Words
Quentin Bates
Photos
Marks Mr Efram
People thought we were nuts at the time, when in reality we were suffering from good
old Icelandic gung-ho enthusiasm. This year, we ought to know better. Three of usYrsa
Sigurardttir, Ragnar Jnasson and Igot together last year to organise a small crime
fiction festival in Reykjavk. After all, how hard could it be? We had all been to a few of
Happy Hour these, and it didnt look like it could be all that much of a headache.
It had seemed odd to us that Iceland didnt one, email the trusty lfhildur (ulfhildur. the Hverfisgata police station and finish-
have its own crime fiction festival. After all, dagsdottir@reykjavik.is) for details. ing up by the library, but this year a whole
there are plenty of them elsewhere. Den- new programme for the crime walk has as-
mark has a big one, as does Norway. There Intense criminal activity sembled, starting at the Nordic House and
are a couple held every year in Britain, taking in locations that feature in crime
several in Germany and there are a great There are a few more changes this year. novels by a bunch of Icelandic and visiting
many in France, as well as no shortage of To begin with, we invited Lilja Sigurardt- authorswith some of the writers on hand
them in the States. But not Iceland. Like tir to join our informal board of organis- to read excepts from their work at those
Sweden, Iceland has plenty of literary stuff ers and her input has been a huge help. very locations.
going on, but not crime fiction. We felt it Iceland Noir is also two days this year in-
was time to put Reykjavk on the crime
Hot laptops!
stead of just one, as we figured that with
map, in a fictional sense, of course. so many people coming from abroad, we
Dinner Iceland-style
needed to offer them more than just one
day of intense criminal activity. We had
Although weve made Iceland Noir bigger
and, we hope, even better this year, it hasnt
strayed from the original brief, which was
been concerned that we might not be able
In fact, we organised last years one-day to fill up a two-day schedule; it turns out to have a good time with a bunch of like-
Iceland Noir in record time, a matter of we could probably have filled three. minded people. It has to be said that those
months, and it worked out pretty well. people who sit in a dark room dreaming up
We have a fine lineup of local and visit-
It didnt do any harm that we had some ing crime writers, from the big names of intrigue and foul murder over a hot laptop
great names who agreed to take part; Ann Peter James, David Hewson, Vidar Sund- tend to be a bundle of fun when theyre re-
Cleeves can take the credit for getting us leased into the daylight. Crime writers like
stl and Johan Theorin
off the ground, as with- to have a good time and things are never
to first-time authors
INFO
out her instant and un- dull when they congregate. They buzz with
with some interesting
equivocal yes when curiosity, imagination and bonhomie, and
K-Bar is a gastro pub with a Korean, Japa- we enquired whether
and challenging new
appear to have an innate sense of direc-
ideas, ranging from
nese, Icelandic inspired kitchen and quirky shed go to Iceland in those writing tradition-
tion for the nearest convivial bar.
Reykjavk is fortunate to have a very di-
cocktails. We have eight icelandic craft the middle of winter for
Iceland Noir, November 21-22 at the
al whodunits, to some
verse crowd of visitors who will be here for
a new crime festival, we
beers on tap and over 100 types in bottles. might not have been so Nordic House, Reykjavk.
of the hardest-boiled
a few days in November, starting with the
crime writers about,
Open all day from breakfast to late night quick off the mark. to those with a super-
Icelandic Crime Syndicates annual read-
Then there was Ar- ing night at Slon on the 20th (doors open
snacks. K-Bar is located at Laugavegur 74. naldur Indriason, the Details at www.icelandnoir.com,
natural tone to their
at 8pm), with a scattering of visiting writ-
work. Crime fiction is
Ask your reception how to find us or find us king of Icelandic crime or you can find them on Face- a remarkably broad ers among the Syndicates members.
book. For further info, contact My personal list of what to look for-
on facebook.com/kbarreykjavik fiction. The lineup was
Tickets
church, with plenty to
already looking good icelandnoir@gmail.com. choose from.
ward to? Norwegian writer Hans Olav
with the crime writers are available from lfhildur (ulfhil- Lahlum, Guinness world record holder
As well as the Ice-
we had press-ganged dur.dagsdottir@reykjavik.is) at the landic crime writers for the longest interview (30 hours, one
into making the trip to Reykjavk City Library. minute and 44 seconds) is on two panels.
taking part in two days
Iceland, but there was Louise Millar, Craig Robertson and James
of panels and discus-
a sudden flurry of ad- Oswald are coming from Scotland, each
sion, theres a very var-
ditional interest when we were able to an- ied crowd visiting for Iceland Noir, mainly with their own outlook on crime fiction,
nounce that hed be taking part last year. and Craigs latest book is set in the Faroe
from Britain, but also from Norway, Swe-
Now, the second Iceland Noir is about den and Finland, one from Greenland, one Islandsprobably the first time an outsider
to take place at Reykjavks Nordic House, from Romania, a few from the US, and a has set a crime story there. Then theres
on the 21st and 22nd of November. At the writing partnership from South Africa. the new blood, a panel of debut authors,
moment there are a few seats left. Being They all bring their own unique take on each of them with an exciting new story
able to use Nordic House has made it all things, and a perspective on their home to tell. Well undoubtedly be hearing more
possible, but it is limited in size. As we countries, or those countries they write from AK Benedict, David Swatling, Sverrir
darent bust the max capacity, and as we aboutthe two arent always the same. Berg and Sarah Ward in the future, but you
need to cover the cost of the coffee and saw them first at Iceland Noir.
lfhildur Dagsdttir and the Reykjavk
the programme, this year weve also had to City Library are taking part with a crime
charge a festival fee. Tickets are available walk through the city streets. Last year
at the Reykjavk City Libraryif youd like was the Erlendur crime walk, starting at
NOW WITH SUBTITLES! Special Airwaves hangover screening
at noon, Saturday November 8. WOW: the first two who bring a 25 FILM
copy of this article to B Parads get in for free (+1!)
INTER
VIEW
The Attack Of
Comic Realism
And the counter-attack
of ignorant authorities
Hafsteinn Gunnarsson, director of Pars
Norursins, interviewed
Words
Haukur Mr Helgason @burgerjoint
Photos
Hrur Sveinsson
Make
its Eld sure
ing! INTER
VIEW
WHALES
& DOLPHINS
from Reykjavik all year round
The Legs Show
Elding Whale Watching schedule
EL-01 / EL-02 / EL-03
Dancer and choreographer
Jan-Feb Mar
9:00
Apr
9:00
May
9:00
Jun
9:00
10:00
Jul
9:00
10:00
Aug Sep Oct Nov-Dec
9:00 9:00 9:00
10:00
Brian Gerke on Emotional
13:00 13:00 13:00 13:00 13:00 13:00 13:00 13:00 13:00 13:00
14:00 14:00 14:00
DANCE
17:00* 17:00 17:00 17:00 17:00*
20:30** 20:30
* From 15 May to 15 September PREVIEW
** From 15 June to 31 July
Words
Grayson Del Faro
www.elding.is Photo
GOLLI
Brian Gerke joined the Iceland Dance Company in 2012, having been teaching at List-
dansskli slands since 2007. Just two years later, his first solo piece of choreography has
NORTHERN premiered as one half of a show called Emotional. It is a double-feature show comprised
of Brians performance, Meadow, accompanied by EMO1994, a piece by Norwegian cho-
LIGHTS CRUISE
reographer Ole Martin Meland. Sitting in the small cafeteria behind the scenes at Borgar-
leikhsi, Brian walked me along the long road he took in choreographing Meadow and
dancing in EMO1994.
Dancing To The
Heartbeat
Hlynur Pll Plsson discusses
the Reykjavk Dance Festival
DANCE
PREVIEW
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SWEATER iZa#/ (*)*+'),--
SELECTION,
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INTER www.handknit.is
VIEW
Words
Grayson Del Faro
Photo
GOLLI
The Reykjavk Dance Festival has changed nearly as much as the art of dance itself in its
twelve years of existence. But a change of directors and board members this spring has
brought on much more drastic changes to its scope and concept for coming years. In con-
versation with the Grapevine, managing director Hlynur Pll Plsson explained how.
How to get there: If you're driving, take road 1 North, turn onto road 60, and then again onto road 61 until you
Westfjords get to safjrur (use a map, follow directions, watch out for weather conditions). You can also fly directly from
Reykjavk via Air Iceland: book your tickets online at www.flugfelag.is.
When it comes to tourism, November is trappings. Condoms, guitar amps, ice cream predictability of the area had already hit ger. This sort of behaviour would repeat
definitely the off-season for the north- After showing my planned itinerary meand I was hooked. itself throughout the weekend, the locals
ern Westfjords, just a few skips from to a friend who grew up in safjrur, the The nature of the beast became appar- The first view of the fjords as our plane constantly going out of their way to be as
Greenland. Some might say this is for regions capital, he filled me in on what ent before Grapevine photographer Anna made its descent had me quite literally helpful as possible.
good reason. Up there, the weather gods would become the theme of the trip: in and I even made it up there. A scheduled gasping. As the clouds parted, we were As we approached the town of
rule. And boy do they love winter. Luck- the Westfjords, you have to be flexible, Friday morning flight to safjrur was greeted with pristine waters, black sands, safjrur proper, we were struck by the
ily, the idea of not having to worry about you have to go with the flow. Without cancelled due to snowfall and wild winds. snowy mountains, and even a rainbow. natural beauty in which it sitsinlets,
crowds or being cajoled into some kind much warning, the weather can ground There would be no flights that day. By Sat- The kindness of every local we encoun- mountains and an almost ominous num-
of adventure hike by a well-meaning flights, close roads, cut off electricity and urday morning, wed grudgingly accepted tered once in town would prove just as ber of ravens. After an extended period of
friend appeals to me greatly. It was with render any plan or schedule useless. And that the trip wasnt going to happen, re- shockingly pleasant. The stage was set as time just standing around and gawking at
this attitude that I eagerly made a list of there is simply no point in getting worked signing ourselves to yet another day of soon as we landed, when an airport em- Mother Natures majesty, hunger eventu-
must-dos in the region and packed my up over this. You need to take it as it coffee and pools in Reykjavk. At midday, ployee moonlighting as a car rental agent ally got us moving, so we headed to Ham-
warmest of jackets for a relaxed, fun- comes, and try to enjoy the ride. however, the airline announced that our (in true Icelandic fashion) offered to drive raborg, widely regarded as Icelands best
filled three-day trip, free from touristic flight would depart in an hour. The un- to his house to lend me his phone char- kiosk.
EXPLORING ICELAND,
THE FAROE ISLANDS OR GREENLAND
ITS EASY WITH AIR ICELAND GRMSEY
RSHFN
SAFJRUR
VOPNAFJRUR
AKUREYRI
GREENLAND
ITTOQQORTOORMIIT
EGILSSTAIR
ILULISSAT
ICELAND
NUUK
KULUSUK
REYKJAVK
NARSARSUAQ
FAROE ISLANDS
TRSHAVN
The Reykjavk Grapevine
Issue 17 2014 29 TRAVEL
from safjrur. Opt- cepted our fate, opting to go along with ability it demands of its denizens).
Check it
out!
Wrestling
With Your
Own Fear At the Adrenaline Park,
we overcome
Words Tmas Gabrel Benjamin And then, when I leave the safety of
the platform and take the second step,
Photos Matthew Eisman the fear recedes. I feel the bridge sway,
but its not as distressing. With each step
the fear lessens, and when I reach the
I can feel the sun shining gently on my skin, hear a stream next platform, I feel an endorphin rush. I
of warm water flowing from the nearby Nesjavallavirkjun had conquered the first trial, and perhaps
more importantly, a part of myself that I
geothermal power station, and see the big and majestic
hadnt known existed.
lake ingvallavatn spread before me. I think to myself: I And then I see the next obstacles, a
would really appreciate this scenery, were I not elevated ten series of small wooden blocks suspended
through the middle. How can they support
metres from the ground. my weight? Are my legs long enough to
reach from one pad to the next? What if
Adrenalngarurinn (The Adrenaline I fall? What if this line isnt strong enough
Park) is an amusement park for adults: Paralysis of analysis and I plummet to my death? What if
an obstacle course that offers 45 ob-
stacles on three levels for those willing to Our instructor, Slvi r Jnasson, had Clip in and keep moving
step outside of their comfort zone. I chose carefully led us through all the parks
to go straight up to the top floor, because safety precautions and shown us how Each obstacle invites the same thought
I wanted the authentic to clip our harnesses process: fear as I overanalyse the prob-
experience. Of course,
I was kicking myself
over my decision as
INFO correctly, so that if
we were to fall, we
wouldnt plummet to
lem, then relief when I just get on with
it. I venture through a bridge made out
of rope hoops and suspended wooden
I hesitantly began Adrenalngarurinn features a our death. beams, cross a tightrope with steady
crossing the first ob- variety of obstacles, including Testing the system rings every few steps, and traverse over a
stacle, a rope bridge numerous kinds of rope bridges a half metre from the slippery-looking wooden log, facing each
with two out of every of varying difficulties, a swing ground, it all seemed challenge with more confidence, until
three steps missing. that starts twelve metres from the easy and safe, even they just become playful tests of agility.
I told myself I was ground, a climbing wall, a zip line, though Id heard of For the most part, Slvi sits back on
waiting for our pho- and a slackline. The course takes people in the past get- the ground level, sipping his hot choco-
tographer, Matt, to get an estimated three hours to com- ting injured. I came late, watching our group calmly, as a par-
into a good position for plete. Tickets go for 6,900 ISK. mentally prepared to ent would its children at the playground.
a shot. In reality, I was leap, run and climb At the end of it, he tells us they get a lot
mostly just second- through the course, of company outings, school trips, and stag
guessing whether I had but standing on the and hen dos, but that hes only ever had
clipped in my safety platform I found the to climb up and save one person that got
line properly. real obstacle was my stuck. Its not any more complicated than
When Matt finally own fear. moving forward and pulling yourself up
makes it up, I curse Having run out of when you fall, he says.
under my breath and excuses, I take the first My fearful past-self wished he had
think that the parks step and feel the whole told us that before we started.
name is a misnomer, as the only thing bridge move terrifyingly from side to side
Im feeling is an overwhelming sense of as I put my weight on it. I clutch onto the
dread. What if I fall and my harness works, railing, and experience something akin to
but I end up snapping my neck? What if? vertigo as I look down below.
not conveying their intentions clearly thinks Chaplas may have been treated
Continues from P.10 enough, as one went to fetch prongs differently because of his skin colour
to cut the plastic straps, while another and nationality. However, his friend
could take up to twelve months to heal. proceeded to use a knife, to the afore- Lill was not so modest, claiming that
After being treated for his immediate mentioned effect. Following this, an in- many foreigners are systematically dis-
wounds, Chaplas says he was made to ternal memo has been passed to every criminated against in Iceland.
wait in a holding cell until morning, be- officer, asserting that correct protocol Chaplas has been met with a lot of
fore being released without charge. for removing plastic straps bars the use hostility, and I know of many other cas-
of a knife. es where the police have arrested black
Getting a helping hand Hrur tells me that the investiga- people without any justification, she
tion revealed that Chaplas had indeed says. Even though many people would
His long-term friend, Lill Mikaela asked to speak with a lawyer when he like to believe otherwise, we live in an
Hreinsdttir Mifjr, came over to was detained. The officers failure to incredibly racist society.
pick him up and describes over the abide his wishes was the result of mis-
phone how she had never seen Chaplas understanding or mistake, says Hrur,
in such a broken-down state. He was further hypothesising that after the in- An uncertain conclusion
just sitting there, wearing nothing but jury occurred, normal procedure went
his boxers and a t-shirt, covered in his out the window. Almost three weeks after initially
own blood, she says. Hrur asserts that Chaplas was in- meeting Chaplas, I visit him again with
Lill says she noted a radical change formed that he was being arrested for our photographer. Hes starting to be
in Chaplass behaviour over the follow- staying illegally in the country, and that able to walk short distances without a
ing weeksan easy-going person by police had been searching for him since crutch, and looks healthier, but conveys
nature, he was noticeably afraid of be- July. Chaplass heated reactions then to me that many still dont believe what
ing around strangers according to her. set in motion the chain of events that happened to him. People say that they
Indeed, he initially refused to meet me followed. cant believe the police would cut and
for the interview without having Lill However, the officers involved have hurt me, he confides, but I want ev-
present. not been punished for the incident. eryone to understand what is going on.
The physical injuries have made it Weve gone over the matter with the While he waits to see if hell get his
difficult for Chaplas to go anywhere staff in question, he says, and as far as day in court, the facts of the matter
by himself. I drive him to the doctors, I know they wont face any further con- the known knowns, to quote Rums-
his lawyer, and anywhere else he has to sequences. He added that the police feldtell a pretty compelling story: a
go, she says. Hes now completely de- will answer for what happened, but not man is arrested, protocol is breached,
pendent on the goodwill of others. through the media, as the case is still his human rights are not respected, and
Rendered unable to earn a living on-going. in addition to his reputation being tar-
through collecting recyclables, Chap- Over email, lawyer rsteinn Gun- nished, he suffers physically and emo-
las now gets his food from the Fjls- narsson, a division manager at the Ice- tionally at the hands of the police.
kylduhjlp (Family Aid) food bank. landic Directorate of Immigration, said If we take the fiasco at face value,
Lill says she tries to help him with he couldnt comment on individual cas- as a series of unintentional accidents, it
other financial needs, but admits that es, but noted that the directorate only goes to show that there are not enough
as a mother of four, theres not much asked police to deliver a notice to indi- checks in place to protect citizens
she can do. viduals that have overstayed their stay, rights, which is troubling news if the
not to arrest them. Those notified gen- police are indeed getting unprecedent-
Admitting fault erally have 5-30 days to leave the coun- ed access to firepower in the near fu-
try before being deported, although ex- ture (see more on that on page six).
Two weeks after my meeting with tenuating circumstances may warrant This foul-up confirms that police
Chaplas, Hrur Jhannesson from the an extension. mistakes can have dire results, as is ap-
office of the National Commissioner of Currently, Chaplas and his lawyer, parent from Chaplass limp. Hopefully
the Icelandic Police agrees to answer Hreiar Eirksson, are in the process of some good can come from this unfor-
my questions over email. He says that negotiating with the police. If a settle- tunate series of events, if the police
an internal investigation determined ment cant be reached, well have to indeed use the opportunity to revise
that Chaplass injuries were the result take the matter to the courts, Hreiar their procedures and learn from their
of a communication failure; that the tells me over the phone. mistakes.
police assume full responsibility for Hreiar adds that the police has yet
Chaplass injuries and are currently to provide him with a reason for Chap-
working on an out-of-court settlement lass arrest, and brings into question
with his lawyer. whether restraining him was neces-
Hrur says that the accidental sary to hand him a simple letter. He was
stabbing was a result of two officers unwilling to comment on whether he
The Reykjavk Grapevine
FOOD 32 Issue 17 2014 Read the full menu and learn more about JaJaJa at www.jajajamusic.com
Gothic Wolffish
Cheeks in
JaJaJaland
Emiliana Torrini and Chef
Antto Melasniemi (formerly
of HIM) made us dinner
Words
Ragnar Egilsson
Photos
Axel Sigurarson
The festival is called JaJaJa, a pan-Nordic ing up cod cheeks with chive hollandaise. nature. I like to leave it up to nature. Maybe I went to work in Paris, London, Am- Emilana seems to share this approach.
music festival featuring the best and the Antto is a large man, and he would have to also because Im a bit lazy. Its freeing, you sterdam. In London I worked at a place Theres so much demand on people now.
brightest of the Nordic music scene, held be, since he seems to be filled with every just go with the flow. Its almost like a reli- which was a hellhole. A huge place, with They want you be making food made
November 13-15 in Londons Mile End. Finnish stereotype I could think of. Stern gion. mice and cockroaches running around from comet dust, or Kate Moss sweat ice
The festival will culminate in a Nordic food of face, sparing of words, hung of overs, and if you left your knife to go to the toi- cream. Antto: I would actually love to do
feast sprung from the loins of chef Antto cholic of melans, and brandishing a sharp Dish 3: Langoustine with fennel let someone would steal it. Very old, very a dish from Kate Mosss sweat.
Melasniemi and singer Emilana Torrini, a knife (the archetypical Finn is essentially and sauted rye bread cruel atmosphere. It was like a haunted
feast conceived on an Icelandic road trip an Icelander with a knife). pirate ship. Dish 5: A liquorice crme brle
and given a trial run in an apartment in On the topic of his Hel Yes pop up Emilana chimes in, I cant stand kitch-
Grandi. For that trial run, we were there. Dish 2: Lambface and pickled restaurant events, held in a church in ens like that. I was in a really fancy hotel in Antto is not obsessed with sourcing the
red cabbage in flapjacks Stockholm, Antto says: It was very per- Wales, really pregnant, and all I could hear rarest of rare ingredients or using his skills
Dish 1: Fried Wolffish Cheeks formative, it was an experimental social was the chef going all: You fucking what!? to make them unrecognisable, but he is
As Anttos hangover receded, from behind gathering more than a restaurant. I know it This is my name on the door! I was wor- certainly inventive and enamoured with
A Reykjavk photographer had graciously the tummia pilvi emerged a wry charm sounds a bit iffy, but it was good. No mercy ried he would die of a heart attack. And the marriage of food and design.
leased his Grandi digs for this odd event: and playful intellect. Unsurprisingly, as of just observing. all the posh people were trying to quietly I suggest to Antto there is an element
a tastefully gothic apartment with an un- Antto has mastermind- The transience ignore it but because I was so pregnant I of synesthesia in his approach. For me,
believable view, looking a little like the ed some truly bizarre I liked the risk of not seems to appeal to let out a massive fart in the middle of the its very natural to think of taste as music. I
showroom of an upscale Scandi furniture dining projects. Such knowing if I would be him and I wonder if it room. And then I launched into a crazy often think of sharp flavours as high notes
store. Antiques and curios lined blackened as the Solar Kitchen has something to do laughing fit. and middle notes as sweet. You can com-
walls and Norwegian kelp laced over the project, a pop-up res-
able to serve hot food. I with his musical past. pose it like that in your mind.
dinner table like bubble wrap. Outside, taurant travelling from am a bit chaotic by na- I used to play with the Dish 4: Grilled lamb hearts with a In my case, I always blend images
the grill was flaring up menacingly, trying green fields to car
ture. I like to leave it up band HIM and it was potato-and-sardines gratin with sound. When Im recording I have to
to look tough in the face of the gale rip- parks while relying en- fun for a while. It was record until it conforms to the image that
ping through the balcony from the North tirely on solar energy, to nature. Maybe also a way of avoiding re- Its understandable, being a chef is no easy Ive built in my mind, the music has to layer
Atlantic. and The Trojan Bar, because Im a bit lazy. sponsibility, and I think job, all fourteen-hour shifts in windowless over the image like a film, Emilana adds.
Emilana Torrini greeted us with a a wooden box which I was more interested rooms. A bit like being a musician, I sug- And with that we get to the final course.
crowberry, lemon and prosecco apritif folds out into a fully
Its freeing, you just go in the side-effect of be- gest to Emilana. Yes, but we get breaks One of the more pleasantly strange things
from her arsenal of 64 Reykjavk Distillery equipped, transport- with the flow. ing on stage. I wasnt in between. However, when you tour for a Ive tried this year. It is a taste-bud bewil-
liqueurs. She is the daughter of an Italian able bar. interested enough in long time you create your own laws, your dering dulse cream pudding, not overly
restaurateur operating out of Iceland and With Solar Kitch- the musical side. Then own world. You are like a country onto sweet or flavourful, just this lingering,
is, herself, an enthusiastic epicure. As well, en, Antto tells me, I got to cooking school, yourself. And everyone goes mad at some savoury, oceany, ashy dulse flavour in the
she's an engaging storyteller and impos- the idea was to build a which was good be- point. You end up completely dysfunc- creamy depths.
sibly warm, whether its on the topic of res- restaurant completely cause there I could tional and disconnected, even if you are With a few deft touches, Antto and
taurant farting or tour bus mania. Oh yes, controlled by nature. continue partying and wearing a smile on your face. Emilana have put a clever twist on all the
and shes also a critically and commercially Usually it's chefs trying having fun. But once I Antto feels similarly disconnected with regional mainstays they had gathered
successful songwriter who co-wrote a Ky- to control all the ele- got out and started to the new Nordic movement in most ways. and you too can be a part of that if you join
lie Minogue hit and sang the main theme ments and playing God. make money cooking, Antto seems to aim for something less the JaJaJa festivities in London.
for Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. I liked the risk of not knowing if I would be I found Im actually quite interested in all pretentious and decidedly less transfor-
Behind the counter, Chef Antto is fry- able to serve hot food. I am a bit chaotic by this stuff. mative of ingredients.
antipasti
Prosciutto di parma on toasted bread
with goat cheese sauce and rucola
secondi
Kolabrautin is on Linguini and langoustine in chili and garlic
the 4th floor Harpa dolci
Reservations Tiramisu
+354 519 9700
info@kolabrautin.is
www.kolabrautin.is 6900 kr.
10. Monday night jazz 20:00 free entry
November at Hrra 11. Arnljtur & Fu Kaisha 20:00 1.000 ISK DJ Ravenator
12. VAR 20:00 1.000 ISK DJ Einar Sonic
13. Oyama album release show 21:00 DJ Sunna Ben
14. Ptur Ben & Snorri Helgason 22:00 1.500 ISK DJ KGB
15. DJ li Dri
16. Lowercase Night 21:00 free entry
A Spaceship
In Iceland!
Words
Lemrinn
Photos
US National Archives and Records Administration
This strange flying object passed over The Icelandic astronomy blog
Reykjavk before landing at Keflavk, Stjrnufrivefurinn offers these
which at the time was, of course, still musings about the event:
the US Navy base NASKEF. The air- Just imagine seeing Enterprise in the
craft and its cargo were in Iceland for Reykjavk sky! At the time, the Ice-
a fuel stop on their way to Paris, to landic public had hardly ever seen a
attend an air show. The 'Enterprise' computer and every household used a
was the first ever space shuttle and rotary phone. The white space shuttle
was used for test flights in the atmo- must have looked like something from
sphere, aided by this modified 747 jet. the Star Wars Trilogy (the third one,
Return of the Jedi, was released in
The following is from an article theaters around this time). Back then
published in the newspaper DV at people knew how to dream and had
the time. every reason for having those dreams.
Tens of thousands of people watched In 1983 people thought that Mars
the American Space Shuttle Enter- would be visited by humans after one
prise on top of a Boeing 747 jet as it or two decades.
flew only 50 metres over Reykjavk air- The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Mu-
port around 20:30 last night. The pe- seum in New York City now showcas-
culiar conjoint pair, this gigantic colos- es this first ever space shuttle.
sus, was the biggest flying object most
people had ever seen. Enjoy the photos of this spectacu-
lar event, which were all found at
NARA (US National Archives and
Records Administration), www.
nara.gov.
ARTISAN BAKERY
& COFFEE HOUSE
OPEN EVERYDAY 6.30 - 21.00
OPEN WEEKDAYS 1119 THURSDAYS 1121 SATURDAYS 1118 SUNDAYS 1318 WWW.SMARALIND.IS FIND US ON FACEBOOK
Macland is the only Apple service provider and reseller in downtown Reykjavk.
P.12
Go Home y
with a storng!
A state by the people and for the people cannot be
armed to the teeth against the people. A state that aims
worth telli
at invincibility against its own population, and will
tolerate protests only as long as they are sure not to
achieve anything, is not, fundamentally, a democratic
state, but a fascist one.
P.16
Northern Lights Tour
P.24
8:00-22:00
into the daylight.
P.32
Glacier Hiking Tour
Summer: 8 - 21
as
tr
La
ug
Sk
av
eg
l
Winter: 9 - 19
ur
av
r
E
SERVIC
u
4-25
November
Friday November 7
Caf Hati
21:30 Autonomous the trio
Caf Rosenberg
21:00 Marel Blues
English Pub
21:00 Troubadours Andri / Hjlmar &
Dagur
Langholtskirkja
20:00 Fstbrur Mens Choir: To The Strings And Voices
Light And Life
Lebowski Bar
Ylja Album Release Concert
22:00 DJ Rnar
Paloma Harpa
22:00 DJ Kri Austurbakka 2 (C4) | 20:30 | from 2,900 ISK
Priki
22:00 DJ Gervisykur / DELUXXE
Stdentakjallarinn Ylja are an alternative acoustic folk group fronted by honey-voiced
21:00 Strangely and Shay duet Ggja Skjaldardttir and Bjartey Sveinsdttir. Formed in 2008,
the band has expanded to a quintet, adding electronic guitarist
Saturday November 8
rn Eldjrn, bass player Ingibjrg Elsa Turchi and percussionist
Caf Rosenberg Maggi Magg to the mix. Since then they have gone on to perform
21:00 KK & Maggi
Frederiksen Ale House at four consecutive Airwaves festivals, the annual Brslan
15:00 DJ FreddiFriski festival in Borgarfjrur Eystri, and at numerous other places.
Lebowski Bar They combine vocal harmonies with soft acoustic riffs to create a
22:00 DJ Smutty Smiff
Harpa soothing ambient sound, equally at home playing tenderly on your
20:00 The Icelandic Opera: Don Carlo living room stereo, and on stage. TD
by Giuseppe Verdi
Hsklab
22:00 Nirvana Tribute
Priki
21:00 Sopfors / Chryptochrome /
Mlginn MC / Kocoon 21
November
Sunday November 9
Austurbjarb
20:00 Kpavogur Womens Choir: The
Love and Life Concert
English Pub
21:00 Troubadour Danni
Hannesarholt
16:00 French Saxophone Performers
Guido Bumer & Aladr Rcz
Langholtskirkja
20:00 Fstbrur Mens Choir: To The
Light And Life
22:00 Fstbrur Mens Choir: To The
Light And Life
Lebowski Bar
22:00 DJ Halli Einars
Salurinn
16:00 BassBar Mercurial Metallic Moshers
Monday November 10 Sinmara Album Release / Misyrming / Nara
Caf Rosenberg Gaukurinn
21:00 Sunna Bjrk Album Release
Concert Tryggvagata 22 (C3) | 22:00 | 1,500 ISK
English Pub
21:00 Troubadour Ingi Valur
Frederiksen Ale House Hotly tipped local black metal band Sinmara are releasing
21:00 DJ Milla their latest effort Aphotic Womb, and want you to join them
Hrra
20:00 Monday Night Jazz in celebrating. Sinmara have been a fixture on the scene for
KEX Hostel a good few years now and are well known for their hefty live
20:00 No Lights No Lycra performances. They contrast chaotic aggression with haunting
Lebowski Bar
22:00 DJ Anna Br melodies and dramatic build-ups to make a sepulchral growling
sound. They are joined by two other aptly named black metal
bands, Nara (Serpent) and Misyrming (Abuse). TD
Photo by Rakel Erna Skarphinsdttir
MUSIC
CONCERTS & NIGHTLIFE
Tuesday November 11
Caf Rosenberg
21:00 Borgfjr
21
English Pub
November
21:00 Troubadour Tryggvi
Hrra
20:00 Arnljtur / Fu Kaisha / DJ
Ravenator
KEX Hostel
20:30 KEX Jazz The concept of the restaurant is "casual fun
Lebowski Bar
22:00 DJ Halli Einars dining" and we prepare what we would call a
simple honest, "feel good", comfort food,
Wednesday November 12
Mammoth Miasma where we take on the classics with
Dolly
21:00 DJ Gabriel / DJ AJ Mammt a modern twist.
English Pub
21:00 Troubadour Raggi
Frederiksen Ale House Hrra
21:00 Fnykur Funk Band
Harpa Tryggvagata 22 (D3) | 17:30 | 1,500 ISK
21:00 Mlinn Jazzclub: Andrs r
Quartet Mammt are an Icelandic art-rock band that have been making
Hrra
20:00 VAR / DJ Einar Sonic waves at home and abroad since like forever now. Having earned
Lebowski Bar eight nominations in the 2014 Icelandic Music Awards, winning
22:00 DJ Rnar the coveted "Best Song" and "Best Album" accolades, the band
Mengi
21:00 Eskmo have gone from strength to strength. Even if you don't understand
Priki Icelandic, you can easily surmise from their stage presence that
22:00 DJ Steindr Grtar
Salurinn they craft catchy and distorted lullabies with a subtly darker
12:15 Lunch Time Concert: The Years element running through their music. Expect to leave the show
In Paris touched. TD Photo by Hvalreki
Thursday November 13
Caf Rosenberg
21:00 Eva The Band
Dillon
21:00 Sun Kil Moon
Dolly
21:00 Mike Hunt / Shakespeare Sister
Theme
English Pub
21:00 Troubadours Hjlmar & Dagur
13
Frederiksen Ale House
21:00 DJ Sim Simma
Gaukurinn
21:00 Toneron November
SKLAVRUSTGUR 40 101 REYKJAVK TEL.+354 517 7474 KOLRESTAURANT.IS
Grafarvogskirkja
20:00 Fjrgyns Grand Concert
Hannesarholt
20:00 Jazz Improv: Kristjana
Stars In Our Eyes
Stefnsdttir and Kjartan Oyama Album Release Concert / Nolo
Valdemarsson
Hress
21:00 DJ Cyppie Hrra
Hrra
21:00 Oyama Album Release Show / Tryggvagata 22 (D3) | 22:00 | 2,000 ISK
Nolo / DJ Sunna Ben
Kaffibarrin
22:00 DJ Smon fknhndsm Oyama are releasing their much-anticipated debut album
Travel the
Lebowski Bar Coolboy like right about now! The five-piece band came together
22:30 DJ Smutty Smiff in 2012 and have made a big impression on the scene here in
Paloma
20:00 These Fists Reykjavk with their shoegazy noise rock furnished with lulling
world of music
Priki lyrics and dreamy shimmering guitar riffs. The evening is in equal
22:00 DJ Styrmir Dansson
parts the closing of one chapter in Oyamas career, and the
Friday November 14 beginning of another. DJ Sunna Ben then keeps the party going
until the wee early hours. Fun times! TD Photo by Sigga Ella
Austurbjarb Weekly concerts in Harpa Concert Hall.
20:00 The Magic of Tom Jones with
Matthas Matthasson, Fririk mar Hress KEX Hostel View our exciting 2014/15 season at
and Jgvan Hansen 21:00 Band Hgir and Lgir
Hrra
20:00 No Lights No Lycra
Lebowski Bar
sinfonia.is.
Caf Rosenberg
21:00 Kristjana Arngrms & Egill lafs 23:00 DJ li Dri 22:00 DJ Anna Br
Dolly Kaffibarrin
21:00 DJ Orang Volante / Gunni Ewok 22:00 DJ Margeir
Lebowski Bar
Tuesday November 18
Dillon
21:00 Church House Creepers / Klikk 22:00 DJ De La Rsa Caf Rosenberg
English Pub Mengi 21:00 Msakk
21:00 Troubadours Ingi Valur & Tryggvi 21:00 Ingi Garar English Pub
/ Biggi Paloma 21:00 Troubadour Ingi Valur
Hress 23:45 RVK Soundsystems Reggae Frederiksen Ale House
21:00 Band 7-9-13 Night 21:00 DJ Yoda
Hrra Priki Harpa
22:00 Ptur Ben / Snorri Helgason / 22:00 Emmsj Gauti 21:00 Mlinn-Jazzclub: Duo & Trio
DJ KGB Hrra
Kaffibarrin Sunday November 16 20:00 Dance-ioki / DJ Styrmir Dansson
22:00 DJ Alfons X KEX Hostel
Lebowski Bar English Pub 20:30 KEX Jazz
22:00 DJ Anna Br 21:00 Troubadour Danni Lebowski Bar
Paloma Frederiksen Ale House 22:00 DJ Raggi
20:00 DJs Daui/ Ravenator 21:00 DJ Holm
Priki Harpa
22:00 DJ Moonshine 16:00 Children's Opera: The Magic
Wednesday November 19
Stdentakjallarinn Flute English Pub
21:00 Karaoke Night Hress
21:00 Troubadour Arnar
21:00 Jazz Jam Session Frederiksen Ale House
Saturday November 15 Hrra
21:00 Lowercase Night
21:00 Fnykur Funk Band
Hrra
Austurbjarb Kaffibarrin
20:00 Kippi Kaninus / DJ Station Helgi
20:00 The Magic of Tom Jones with 22:00 DJ Kristinn Plsson Lebowski Bar
Matthas Matthasson, Fririk mar & Lebowski Bar
22:00 DJ Jess
Jgvan Hansen 22:00 DJ Halli Einarss Priki
Dillon 22:00 DJ Kar
21:00 Captain Syrup
Dolly
Monday November 17
21:00 DJ Kocoon & Benni B-Ruff Caf Rosenberg Thursday November 20
Frederiksen Ale House 21:00 Felix Bergsson & Hlynur Ben Caf Rosenberg
21:00 DJ HanSolo Harpa
Gaukurinn 21:00 Trevor Gordon Hall
21:00 Bombay Bicycle Club Dillon @icelandsymphony #sinfo14
21:00 Whitesnake Tribute Band Hrra
21:00 Fundraising gig with the Pink
20:00 Monday Night Jazz Street Boys Box office 528 5050 www.sinfonia.is www.harpa.is
MUSIC
CONCERTS & NIGHTLIFE
Dolly
21:00 DJ JnBjrn / Housekell
English Pub
21:00 Troubadours Alexander &
28
November
Gumann
Frederiksen Ale House
21:00 DJ Milla
Gaukurinn
21:00 Electric Elephant / Lucy in Blue
Hress
21:00 Band Triple Trouble
Hrra
21:00 Trevor Gordon Hall & Tyler
Ludwig / DJ Ernir
Lebowski Bar
22:30 DJ De La Rsa
Mengi
21:00 Berglind Mara
Paloma Holy Shit It's Sun Kil Moon In Frkirkjan!
20:00 DJ Einar Sonic
Priki Sun Kil Moon
22:00 DJ GLM
Saturday November 22
ALL IN ONE
Caf Rosenberg
21:00 VOR
Dolly
21:00 DJ Borg vs Hausar
English Pub
RESTAURANT
21:00 Troubadours Ellert / Magns &
var
Frederiksen Ale House
21:00 DJ Sim Simma Check Out The Moves
Frkirkjan
Reykjavk Dance Festival
Kitchen
17:00 Arne Hjorth, Helge Nysted &
Diverse menu, Gunnarsson
av
r Lebowski Bar 21:00 Troubadour Tryggvi
English Pub
Vegamt
Friday November 28
Caf Rosenberg
21:00 Marus Sverrisson
Dolly
21:00 DJ PabbaHelgi / Gsli Galdur /
Benni B-Ruff
English Pub
GREAT
FOODGOOD
21:00 Troubadours Roland / Alexander &
Gumann
Frederiksen Ale House Do The Bat Dance!
21:00 DJ Yolo No Lights No Lycra
Frkirkjan
20:30 Sun Kil Moon
Harpa
KEX Hostel
NICE
DRINKS
20:30 Ylja Album Release Concert Sklagata 28 (E7) | Every Monday 20:00 | 500 ISK
Hrra
20:00 Pink Street Boys / Klan Mikla /
DJ Styrmir Dansson The No Lights No Lycra dance event is on (almost) every Monday
Lebowski Bar
at KEX Hostel, where participants can literally dance like no one is
22:00 DJ Anna Br & Ragg Backtoback /
De La Rsa watching. If you havent heard of the concept, it involves everyone
ATMO
Priki dancing in a pitch-black room to some groovy tunes, completely
22:00 DJ Orang Volante / Pedro Pilatus
sober. The event originated in Melbourne, Australia and has
Saturday November 29 gained popularity worldwide. KEX Hostel started the first ever
NLNL in Iceland in October, and it proved to be such a hit that it
Dolly
21:00 DJ IntroBeats
has now become a weekly fixture at the hostel. NLNL is a great
English Pub place for cutting loose, and meeting people when their inhibitions
21:00 Troubadours Magns & var / have been lowered by the power of DANCE. TD & MC
Alexander & Gumann
Frederiksen Ale House
21:00 DJ OK
HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY 17-19
Hress
21:00 Band Geimflaugin
Hrra
20:00 Jnas Sig & Ritvlar
Framtarinnar / DJ Gullfoss og Geysir
Kaffibarrin
22:00 DJ Kohip (NO) / Terrordisco
Lebowski Bar
22:00 DJ Jsus
Paloma
20:00 DJ mar Borg & Housekell / Einar
Sonic
Priki
22:00 DJ Jay-O
Sunday November 30
English Pub
21:00 Troubadour Danni
Frederiksen Ale House
21:00 DJ Holm
Hress
21:00 Jazz Jam Session
Hrra
21:00 Lowercase Night
Lebowski Bar
22:00 DJ Halli Einarss
Bombay Cocktail
Monday December 1 Bombay Bicycle Club
English Pub
21:00 Troubadour Tryggvi Harpa
Frederiksen Ale House
21:00 DJ FreddiFriski Austurbakki 2 (C4) | Nov 17 | 20:00 | 8,990 ISK
Harpa
20:00 Christmas Prelude with Svanur English indie rocksters Bombay Bicycle Club are not to be missed.
Brass Band
Touring the world with their mercury award-nominated album So
Tuesday December 2 Long See You Tomorrow, theyre in Reykjavik for one night and
English Pub
one night only. The new sounds of the album are influenced by
21:00 Troubadour Ingi Valur lead singer Jack Steadman's recent travels to the Netherlands,
Frederiksen Ale House Turkey, and India. Fancy that, Netherlands-influenced music! TD
21:00 DJ OK
Frkirkjan
20:00 Woodwind Quintet
13. 9. 2014 11. 1. 2015 weeks. The works are different in size and
medium.
Opens November 8
Runs until November 29
The National Gallery
Old School baby! New Works by Jn skar
Iceland Film Photographer Association Exhibition Jn skar is one of Icelands well known
artists with numerous exhibitions in
Icelandic Printmakers Association museums and galleries around the
A D MISSIO N F REE world and in Iceland. In his photographs,
GRFARHS 6th Floor Tryggvagata 17 (D3) | Nov 15 - 29 | 14 - 18 | Free! drawings, and prints, he explores the
conflict between the surface of the picture
Tryggvagata 15, 101 Reykjavik Do you remember the days you would check the count on your
plane and the subjects he portrays,
Opening Hours: MonThu 1219 film roll to see how many more photographs you could take? Do whether they are portraits, historical
Fridays 1218, Weekends 1317 you remember shaking a polaroid and waiting for the picture themes, or personal references.
www.photomuseum.is to finally appear? The world may have turned digital, but there Opens November 7
Runs until February 8
are still a few analogue fans out there. A group of such people The Reykjavk City Library
just formed the Iceland Film Photographer Association, and they The Plant In The Hallway - Comics
are launching an exhibition featuring a vast variety of analogue Exhibition
photography techniques, such as polaroid, pinhole, tintype, gum Sisters Elsabet Rn and Eln Edda will
open a comics exhibition. On display
bichromate, and paper negatives. Its like a trip down memory lane, will be their first graphic novel, 'The Plant
all to show that film is not dead (yet). SV in the Hallway.' They have been working
Photo by Kristina Petroiut on the graphic novel for two years, and
its story is about the protagonist's life
changes when she puts a plant in her
Nov 7 - Dec 4 Alexander's experience of moving back
to Iceland, as well as the experiences
hallway.
Opens November 7
accumulated through art residencies in Runs until February 22
How to use the listings: Venues are
Spain, Italy, Ukraine, Germany, Holland Spark Design Space
listed alphabetically by day. For com-
plete listings and detailed information and Poland. Salon
on venues visit listings.grapevine.is. Opens November 21 Every year the Spark Design Space installs a
Send us your listings to: listings@ Runs until December 5 collection of projects they have exhibited
grapevine.is Gallery Fold in the past.
Abba's (Aalbjrg rardttir) is known Opens November 12
Opening for her oil paintings, of which she exhibits Runs until January 5 2015
four. Tveir Hrafnar Art Gallery
Arion Bank Headquarters Starts November 11 Jn skar stands out in the Icelandic art
'Spegla landslag' by Hrafnkell Runs until November 30 scene for his paintings of conflict and even
Sigursson Hsklab violencenot in representation, but rather
In this exhibition (which translates German Film Festival in their process of creation.
as "Flipped Landscape"), Hrafnkell To mark the 25th anniversary of the Fall of Opens November 8
Sigursson examines the relationship the Berlin Wall, the German Embassy Runs until November 29
between man and nature, showing Reykjavk in collaboration with the
man-made structures that resemble Goethe-Institut is presenting the
Mrmyndir - Murals- Mauerbilder
Ongoing
nature, and natural phenomena that look
humane. film days. The programme aims to shed rbr Open Air Museum
Opens November 8 light onto the many facets of the divided A guided tour in English through this
Runs until February 20 history on both sides of the wall as well as open air museum, which consists of
AS Art Gallery the reunification of 1989. twenty buildings happens daily at 13:00.
'REGLUVERK' by Hugsteypan Opens November 7 Admission 1,100 ISK.
Hugsteypan is a collaboration between Runs until November 9 On permanent view
Ingunn Fjla Ingrsdttir and rds Hverfisgallery Anarka
Jhannesdttir. For the past five years Hrafnhildur Arnardttir aka Shoplifter is Eye For An Eye
Ingunn and rds have been working an Icelandic artist living in New York. Kristinn Mr Plmason and Bjarni
on their collaborative projects in tandem Shoplifter makes sculptures, drawings Sigurbjrnsson's exhibition consists of new
with their own individual art projects. and installations with various materials paintings made with acrylic paint, pens
This show exhibits the results from their and found objects. Her works take on and airbrush on paper and canvas. Bjarni
inquiry into the rules and repetitions in themes relating to vanity, self-image, and Kristinn Mr have had numerous
art. fashion, beauty and popular myths, solo exhibitions and participated in group
Opens November 8 and often tackle notions that border on exhibitions, in Iceland and abroad.
Runs until November 30 obsession or fetishism. Runs until November 22
Better Weather Window Gallery Opens November 29 ART 67
The second site specific mixed media Runs until January 31 'Hver Me Snu Nefi' by ART11
installation will launch at this relatively Icelandic Printmakers The ART11 collective has a mixed medium
new exhibition window space on Association exhibit on show throughout the month.
Laugavegur by Freyja Eilf Logadttir. Iceland Film Photographer Runs until November 30
Opens December 1 Association Exhibition Arttek
Runs until December 29 The newly formed Iceland Film Figures and Forms
Gallery Bakar Photographer Association (Flag The artists are two ceramic artists: Auur
Lumine Maris Ubique by Alexander Filmuljsmyndara slandi) will hold Inga and Hafds Brands. They both studied
Zaklynsky its first members' exhibition. The fine art in the Glasgow School of Art.
Alexander Zaklynsy exhibits new works show will feature works in a variety Hafds specialises in ceramic sculptures
on paper, bronze, aluminium and wood. of analogue photography techniques, while Auur Inga paint along with the
The works developed for this exhibition such as polaroid, pinhole, tintype, gum ceramic.
are loosely inspired by Deiter Roth, bichromate and paper negatives, as Opens November 6
well as more conventional darkroom Runs until December 7
CRAVING
IN YOUR
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Grapevine Craving APP!
POCKET
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WHAT'S
INSIDE Reykjavk Map Happy Hour Guide Places We Like Best Of Reykjavk Practical Info
Reykjavk November 7 - December 4 Keep it in your pocket
Four Weeks
The Grapevine picks the events, places and what to experience in the next four weeks
21-23 Art
22-9 Art
Nov Get Some Nuts! Sept Dec The Divine Comedy
SOUVENIR SHOP
SHOP OF THE YEAR 2012
One of the worlds most famous ballets, 'The Did you ever wonder whether a fusion of rock and
Nutcracker', is presented in all its glory with the religion was possible without creating something
original score of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The as degenerate as Creed or P.O.D.? Well, were
Christmas fairy tale is of course a family-friendly here to tell you it is! Visual artist rds Claessens
show, and is being produced in collaboration newest painting exhibit is an ode to music, in
with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and St. which rock is literally taken to the divine level. The
Petersburg Festival Ballet. So sit back and enjoy paintings resemble icons and holy imagery, but the
the show of the little girl who gets a nutcracker for religious aspect has been replaced by instruments,
Christmas and falls into a dream world unlike any pedals and other musical paraphernalia, for
other. TD maximum rock n rollitude. SV
Art
7-9 Teutonic Tapes
November 15 November
November 28
German Film Festival (Hskolab) The viking:info
ROCK AND PUNK ALL NIGHT LONG Oh lord, Vesturbr | 18:00 - 22:30 | Admission: Varies Laugavegur 1 Reykjavk
our Track of Issue stars, the punk-poets of Klan Hafnarstrti 1 - 3 Reykjavk
Akureyri
mikla who just released an EP, LP and cassette in To mark the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Hafnarstrti 104 Akureyri
short succession, are teaming up with the garage Berlin Wall, the German Embassy in Reykjavk info@theviking.is Reykjavk
rock band Pink Street Boys who released the in collaboration with the Goethe-Institute will www.theviking.is
critically acclaimed 'Trash From The Boys' a few be presenting the Mrmyndir Murals Mau-
months back. If you haven't seen these bands play erbilder three day film festival. The programme
before, they offer two sides of the same coin of aims to enlighten people on the differences and TAX FREE
brillianceyou can expect them to tear Hrra's challenges faced by the communities living in the
roof down, or at the very least break a few glasses. two halves of the country that was divided for so
long. A variety of films will be screened. TD
MAP
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Places We Like A
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Maritime
1 Tapas Barinn Museum
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For those with a bit of time on their hands, Museum
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the evening is well spent at Tapas Barinn, S T
where you can indulge yourself feasting on AU
course after delicious course of miniature
AN B
dishes served in true Spanish style. There is M
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also a lounge for those who want to hang out AR
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into Icelandic history A MN
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Geirsgata 7c R 2
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GRANDAGARUR 2, 101 REYKJAVK RG A TUR IRS
Spoiler alert: Seafood comes from the sea. TA GA
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TEL.: 511 1517 B R TA GA 11
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So if you want your seafood fresh, its to the
ATA
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carved out right next to the Reykjavk marina, UG Art Museum
13
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game. Enjoy the wide selection of expertly Tourist YGG
cooked shellfish as well as cod, salmon and 1Info 6 VA The
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other dishes. Landlubbers will also find four- VA TA LVH
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TNGATA The
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to go. Gstav Gunnlaugsson, Icelandic Chef GA RS
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of the year 2010, is the head chef at this T
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establishment and he does not mess around. V
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Whether youre a curious tourist or a native
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of the Icelandic dishes on this menu.
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Fish Lamb Whale
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Mix with the locals
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. .and all the Icelandic beers in one awsome place! Gallery
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bles and quality fish products to serve their SKOTH
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their clean, casual location by the harbour is National BA
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museum
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instorg, rsgata 1
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This recent addition to Reykjavk dining has
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INGLFSSTRTI 1A 101 REYKJAVK
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quickly become a popular spot for folks with
GA
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WWW.ISLENSKIBARINN.IS TEL: 517 6767
SV
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a fine palate and a modest budget, offering Park
AR
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University
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of Iceland
IN
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also a cool hangout for artists and musicians.
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Make sure to get there early - they take
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reservations until 18:30 but after that it's a
EG
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free-for-all!
STU Nordic House
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RL VAT
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Drinking G NS M
6 Hrra 7 Kaldi Bar 8 Loft Hostel 9 ingholt Bar
Tryggvagata 22 Laugavegur 20b Bankastrti 7 Center Hotel, ingholtstrti 5
The walls may be dark and adorned with A small, stylish drinking hole popular with With a brilliant location right in the centre of Located in Center Hotel ingholt, this bar is
gloomy paintings, and the lighting minimal, the after-work business crowd, this is a great the action, the views from the upstairs bar tucked away just outside of the mayhem
but when the bands step onto the stage the place to feel a little classier and drink with and rooftop patio at the Loft Hostel can't that is Laugavegur on a weekend night.
place really comes into its own. Armed with dignity. The beer selection is top-notch, and be more entertaining. In addition to clean, For a quieter evening, check out their daily
a great sound system, the place delivers a the handcrafted interior tips the scales of comfortable rooms for all types of travellers, happy hour between 1719, lounge in their
great experience for music fans throughout upscale rustic charm. You can be certain that this new hostel is quickly becoming a hotspot chic and modern environment with one of
Reykjavk. Oh, and they serve Einstk Pale conversation will rule, not loud music. for live music and comfortable accommoda- the many beers and cocktails on offer.
Ale and White Ale in beer mugs! tion alike.
Useful Numbers The Icelandic Travel Market, Bankastrti 2, Public Transport Shops: MonFri 10:0018:00, Sat 10:0016:00,
Emergency number: 112 tel: 522 4979 Sun closed. The shopping centres Kringlan and
The only public transport available in Reykjavk Smralind as well as most supermarkets and
Medical help: 1770 Trip, Laugavegur 54, tel: 433 8747
is the bus. Most buses run every 2030 minutes tourist shops have longer opening hours.
Dental emergency: 575 0505 Pharmacies
(the wait may be longer on weekends) and the
Swimming pools: Weekdays 06:3022:00 and
Information: 118 Lyf og heilsa, Egilsgata 3, tel: 563 1020 price per fare is 350 ISK for adults and children.
weekends 09:0017:00, although each pool
Taxi: Hreyfill-Bjarleiir: 588 5522 Lyfja, Laugavegur 16, tel: 552 4045 and Lg- Multiple day passes are available for purchase at
varies plus or minus a few hours.
BSR: 561 0000 mla 5, tel: 533 2300 select locations. Complete route map available
Banks in the centre are open Mon-Fri 09:00-
Coach Terminal at: www.bus.is. Tel: 540 2700. Buses run from
Tax-Free Refund 16:00.
07:0024:00 on weekdays and 10:0024:00 on
Iceland Refund, Aalstrti 2, tel: 564 6400 BS, Vatnsmrarvegur 10, Post Offices
weekends. Main terminals are: Hlemmur and
Tourist Information tel: 562 1011, www.bsi.is Lkjartorg. Post offices are located around the city. The
Domestic Airlines Opening Hours downtown post office is at Psthsstrti 35,
Arctic Adventures, Laugavegur 11,
Air Iceland, Reykjavkurflugvllur, open MonFri 09:0018:00. Stamps are also
tel: 562 7000 Bars and clubs: According to regulations,
sold at bookstores, gas stations, tourist shops
City Centre, Aalstrti 2, tel: 590 1550 tel: 570 3030, www.flugfelag.is bars can stay open until 01:00 on weekdays and
and some grocery stores.
Iceland Excursions Grayline Iceland, Eagle Air, Htel Loftleiir, tel: 562 4200 04:30 on weekends.
C
Hafnarstrti 20, tel: 540 1313
Museum Museum -
GARTN
VA
Bergstaastrti 74 | G4 Hafnarhs
BOR Mon-Fri through Sept. 1 Tryggvagata 17 | D3
The Einar Jnsson Open 10-17
Museum Thursday 10-20
Kjarvalsstair
R
Eiriksgata | G6
GU
Flkagata 24
10 TueSun 1417
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Open 10-17
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www.skulptur.is
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GR smundarsafn
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Hafnarborg
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Open 10-17
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www.listasafnreykja-
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L Grundarstgur 10 | F4
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SG Tryggvagata 15 | D3
ATA HT www.hannesarholt.is www.borgarbokasafn.is
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Kistuhylur 4
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Hverfisgaller Daily tours at 13
Hverfisgata 4 | D4 The Settlement Exhibi-
R AU
Sundhllin tion
UR www.hverfisgalleri.is
TG Swimming Aalstrti 17 | D3
SK
S i8 Gallery
NS Pool Open daily 1017
IPH
Tryggvagata 16 | D3
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R
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Reykjavk Maritime
BA
AT
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Museum
KS
SK
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AU
Grandagarur 8 | B2
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ment. www.i8.is
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www.phallus.is
NN
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Kirsuberjatr
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Best Of Reykjavk
Every year around the beginning of July, we make a BEST OF REYKJAVK ISSUE celebrating some
of what makes Reykjavk-life worthwhile, posting some good entries into a hopefully never-ending
discussion. The primary purpose of BEST OF REYKJAVK is celebration! Its about big-upping stuff,
giving mad props to it and patting it on the shoulder. The following are some nice tips we pulled
from BEST OF REYKJAVK 2014 which you can read in full at www.grapevine.is.
Sandholt is another perennial Grapevine At a recent exhibition including both It turns out that restaurants and stores
230 kr. favourite that continues to deliver. And a jar of peas and a video installation in Reykjavk arent the only businesses
sure, its fresh croissants, pastries, of a wiggling, polka-dotted ass, one benefiting from Icelands tourism boom.
breads, sandwiches and baked goods Grapeviner nodded conclusively: This Apparently, weve heard, hairdressers
will set you back marginally more than is art. And yes, our panellists agree are getting a lot of drop-ins from tourists.
some of the citys other top-of-the- that Kling og Bang is the heart of I want Icelandic hair, they say. Give me
line bakeries, but you wont regret Reykjavks grassroots art scene, the Icelandic hair. While many (if not most)
spending the extra krnur, particularly place where you see work by artists people go to the same hairdresser, and
if owner sgeir Sandholt has done who arent making money. But theres our hairdresser admitted that she would
the days baking. A fourth-generation a lot of high profile work shown there, never just drop in somewhere random
baker, sgeir still uses the same oven too. Recently, K&B hosted a five-part while vacationing in Rome, people
290 kr. that his predecessors used when the multimedia performance series in apparently have great faith in Icelanders
bakery opened in 1920, although he has collaboration with New Yorks ESP TV, wielding scissors. Now, you dont have
changed up nearly everything else about and The Visitors by fellow Reykjavk to go somewhere completely random
the place, including the bread recipe gallery i8s artist, Ragnar Kjartansson. though. Go to Rauhetta og lfurinn
Osushi is a unique (a deceptively simple one which was (Little Red Riding Hood), a three-time
in use 100 years ago). The bakery also Grapevine winner that has stood the test
restaurant in Iceland. expanded its seating area which makes of time, consistently delivering new and
stopping here for coffee and cake quite trendy haircuts.
The method of dining involves cosy, no matter the weather.
315 kr. snatching small plates from
A GUIDE
Ia Zimsen
a conveyor belt. Pricing is Coffee happy hour weekdays 8:00 to 10:00,
weekends 10:00-12:00 All coffee 300 ISK.
distinguished by the color
and pattern of the plate THAT FUCKS Every day from 19:00 to 22:00. Beer 445 ISK.
Kaldi Bar
AS Art Gallery
Ladies, Beautiful Ladies
Birgir Birgisson follows up on the
Experience
questions at the heart of the politics of
representation, addressed through the
visual negotiations of blondes in our
cultural environment. This exhibition
Icelandic Art
and Design
presents a variety of works that reach
from painting on canvas to installation, to
works on paper and connects them to the
issue of how identities are made, shaped,
distributed and retold.
Runs until December 31
on your way to the Blue Lagoon
Better Weather Window Gallery
Framsknarmaurinn by Snorri
smundsson
The opening exhibition for this new window
gallery is by artist Snorri smundsson Route 40
who seeks to affect society with public
events. He enjoys observing peoples
response when accepted values are
turned upside down.
Runs until November 29
The Coocoos Nest p / Op Kpavogur Art Museum
/ Gerarsafn
'DEUS' by rds Claessen Icelandic Jewellery
Hamraborg 4, Kpavogur
Visual artist rds Claessen's newest and silverwork
Open 1117 / Closed on Mondays
painting exhibit is an ode to music, in Hughrif www.gerdarsafn.is
which rock 'n' roll is taken to the divine Hlmfrur rnadttir
level. The show consists of icons and
holy imagery, where the religious aspect
is replaced by instruments, pedals and PRI Hnnunarsafn slands
other musical paraphernalia. / Museum of Design
Icelandic Jewellery
and Applied Art
Runs until November 9 Impress and Depress and silverwork
Garatorg 1, Garabr
The Einar Jnsson Museum
The museum contains close to 300 'New Works' by Jn skar Are You Ready Open 1217 / Closed on Mondays
artworks including a beautiful garden Madam President? www.honnunarsafn.is
with 26 bronze casts of the artists The National Gallery
sculptures.
On permanent view Frkirkjuvegur 7 (F3) | Nov 7 - Feb 8 | 10-17 | 1,000 ISK LIP-STICKS Hafnarborg
Galler Fold Works by 7 contemporary / The Hafnarfjordur Centre
orsteinn Helgason, who is known for Jn skars artwork is at once a part of, and unique from Icelands artists of Culture and Fine Art
his oil and acrylic paintings, has a new Strandgata 34, Hafnarfjrur
chaotically diverse art scene. His works are often considered too Works from the Open 1217 / Thursdays 1221
exhibit up. Hes got quite a body of work
and exhibits them at Gallery Fold. large, too different, or too alien for Icelandic tasteshe frequently collection of Closed on Tuesdays
Runs until November 9 exposes his canvases to corrosive chemicals, hot wax, or other Hafnarborg www.hafnarborg.is
Jhann Smri exhibits two of his forms of damage, before then repairing them again, leaving his by Elas B. Halldorsson
photographs of Eyjafjallajkull, that
mountain that everyone was talking
finished paintings bearing the scars of ill treatment. By using a
about back in 2010. narrow spectrum of colour, his paintings are bound to impress and
Runs until November 30 depress. His works then explore the conflict between the surface
Galler Skilti of the picture plane and the subjects he portrays, whether they are
Pura Vida
British artist S. Mark Gubb went to
portraits, historical themes, or personal references. SV
Costa Rica, got inspired by the casual
Gerarsafn Horni (Gallery)
atmosphere and the concept of pura
AIM XV Take two by Jhann Vilhjlmsson
vida, the catchall phrase for positivity. So
Sculptor Helgi Hjaltaln Eyjlfsson and Artist Jhann Vilhjlmsson is a chef by
he brought it to Reykjavk with a sign that
visual artist Ptur rn Fririksson have a profession and has practiced singing,
points anyone in the right direction to find
show together focusing on goals. music and drawing from early age.
their own Pura Vida, or good life.
Runs until November 15 Jhann uses a collection of different
Runs until December 15
Hafnarborg pens, pastel colours and ink in his work.
Galler Tukt
Lip-Sticks His pictures are steeped in symbolism
"Please come. It is important for
This is an engaging exhibition of paintings and surrealism, with a fluid sense of
me..."
by leading young Icelandic artists form. The works include portraits, album
Ganna Shvarova is a Ukrainian artist
who dazzle the viewer with colourful covers, landscapes, animal and nature
studying in Iceland whose exhibition
narratives and blunt attitudes. The pictures, magic and witchcraft.
dives into the perception of womanhood
artists are Gabrela Fririksdttir, Runs until November 18
she explores the transformation of the
Gumundur Thoroddsen, Helgi i8
human soul, feelings and emotions.
rsson, Hulda Vilhjlmsdttir, Ragnar 'Along The Shore' by Lawrence
Runs until November 14
risson, orvaldur Jnsson and rds Weiner
What Does A Person Experience
Aalsteinsdttir. This is Lawrence third solo show at i8.
When They Step Into New
Runs until January 4 Lawrence is one of the founding figures
Surroundings?
Hverfisgallery of the conceptual arm of post minimalism,
A group of young Icelanders travelled to
Sigtryggur Bjarni Baldvinsson's paintings, and the exhibition features wall works,
the southern part of Ethiopia this August,
watercolours and photographic work. drawings and objects based on language,
to experience a foreign culture in a
Water-based leitmotifs such as running which is Lawrences primary medium.
country that has a drastically different
water and oceanic surfaces are woven Runs until November 29
infrastructure from Iceland. This group
into his work, reflecting the elements of The Icelandic Phallological
exhibit is a result of that journey.
light, air and earth and natures unique Museum
Runs until November 14
powers such as wind and gravity. The museum contains a collection of
Runs until November 22 more than 215 penises and penile parts
by the sea
On permanent view
The National Museum
belonging to almost all the land and sea post-transition metal element. Icelandic Silverwork
mammals that can be found in Iceland. Runs until November 23 Visitors can see various silver pieces and
There's also a penis sculpture honoring Kunstschlager the methods of their making at this exhibit
As Icelandic As
The Wind And Rain
Caf Loki got was hangikjt. the rye bread is really delicious, and goes
Hangikjt quickly became popular wonderfully well with a crisp white wine
among the locals and is by now ubiqui- or an ale with a sweet or malty finish.
Lokastgur 28, 101 Reykjavk
tousif you want a taste, you can find it at For our main course we both had the
What We Think: pretty much any supermarket (or gas sta- crown jewel of Icelandic cuisine, Icelandic
Seems like a tourist trap, tion for that matter). However, if you want meat soup (slensk kjtspa) (1,750 ISK).
but it isnt. to properly feast on the recently tradition- This very traditional soup is basically a
al dish, in a nice and cosy setting, Caf Loki broth of lamb, carrots, yellow turnips and
Flavour: is your place, as I learned one rainy, windy onions, flavoured with parsley and made
Traditional Icelandic. Sunday afternoon. a bit heavier with a handful of rice. This
Ambiance: Without ever actually visiting the version is the classic, which most Iceland-
Very clean. The sound system place, I had always considered Caf Loki ers grew up eating on a regular basis. It
blares '50s Icelandic pop to be a tourist trap. My prejudice probably is a very comforting dish, even though it
standards. stems from the fact that the restaurant is is often bland and sometimes too greasy.
located right across the road from Reyk- While it was perfectly balanced in the
Service:
javks main tourist attraction, Hallgrm- grease department, we found Caf Lokis
Very polite, enthusiastic
skirkja, surrounded by B&Bs, hotels and kjtspa to be a bit lacking in flavoura
young servers. guesthouses. I am very happy to report bolder approach to the seasoning would
Price for 2 (no drinks): that I was absolutely wrong on this ac- have made a big difference. Still, the soup
5-6,000 ISK (very fair). count. made for a very satisfactory meal, espe-
WE DONT SELL
Arriving at Caf Loki, my companion cially once we poured a bit of Tabasco in
and I were given some of the best tables there (Im not kidding, it makes ALL the
in the place, with a great view of Hall- difference!).
grmskirkja and Sklavruholt. There is For dessert, we decided to share a
WHALE MEAT
Is there any Icelandic culinary tradition something quite comfortable about sitting house speciality, a rye bread ice cream
to speak of? This is a question Ive often in a warm and bright restaurant, gleefully topped with whipped cream (750 ISK),
struggled with. Some of our more tradi- observing passersby struggling with Reyk- a delightfully simple dish that serves to
tional dishes might be rooted in Nordic javks strong autumn wind. underline the sweetness of Icelandic rye
cultureas our Scandinavian neighbours
Restaurants that have this logo promise not to sell seem to have similar onesbut most of
Caf Loki offers a fine sampling of bread. And it was a real treat, the soft
whats officially deemed Icelandic food. homemade ice cream contrasting nicely
whale meat. We kindly ask you to choose what gets called traditional Icelandic They bake fresh rye bread daily (the kind with the almost crunchy pieces of rye.
a whale friendly restaurant and to recommend food these days was simply created out of of dense, almost cake-like rye bread that is I must admit, Caf Loki took me by
chance or necessity.
others to do the same. Smoked lamb (hangikjt), for exam-
sweet and malty in flavour) along with tra- surprise, and I learned my previous ideas
ditional Icelandic pancakes and flatbreads about it being a tourist trap were entirely
ple, only became popular in the late 19th/ (flatkkur). unfair and unfounded. With very fair
Whaling is cruel and unnecessary early 20th century, after failed attempts
by Icelandic farmers to breed sheep for
Caf Lokis menu basically consists of prices and above-average food, its safe to
rye bread or flatbread topped with various recommend Caf Loki to anyone wanting
exporting purposes. Suddenly Icelanders delicacies, including pickled herring, eggs to try a bit of local flavour.
had an overabundance of lamb meat to or lamb pat. For a starter we chose a rye
contend with, and the only way to keep it bread with smoked arctic char and cottage
20142 edible was to cure and smoke the hell out cheese (1,290 ISK), which I highly recom-
015 of it, in the style that our Danish overlords mend. The contrast of the salty and smoky BJRN TEITSSON
liked to treat their fabled pork. What we fish against the sweetness and density of ANNA DOMNICK
Dont let your visit to ICELAND There are not many things that make
us happier than giving life to old
leave a bad taste in your mouth traditions and forgotten ingredients
Choose a whale friendly restaurant with modern technique and our creative
mind as a weapon.
Information about whale friendly restaurants
can be found at www.icewhale.is
Lfi er saltfiskur
Hverfisgata 12 101 Reykjavk
INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE
icewhale.is Tel. +354 552 15 22 www.dillrestaurant.is
FOOD
FOR YOUR MIND BODY AND SOUL
NEW AWARDS
Laugavegur 130, ofan vi Hlemm Tel: 692-0564
Open 18.00-22.00, 18.00-23.30 weekend
BanThai
chefs special
3.300.kr
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