You should be d!ncing - Dancers from all backgrounds meet on the stage of Borgarleikhúsið to celebrate the joy of dance - Vísir
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Issue 05 | 2022 | www.gpv.is
You
should be
dancing
Dancers from all
backgrounds meet
on the stage of
Borgarleikhúsið to
celebrate the joy
of dance
Íslandsbanki Seabear Burgers Galore 2 Witch's Brew
News: How Not To Sell A State- Music: Sindri Már on their first Food: Iceland's favourite Travel: Visiting the Sorcery
Owned Bank album in 12 years sandwich reviewed...again Museum
COVER PHOTO:
Photo: Art Bicnick
Assistant: Joana Fontinha
"Ball", a new project from the Icelandic
Dance Company, combines the talents
of professional and amateur dancers
alike. In this feature, we speak with
First
the organisers, the pros, and the
choreographer on how this intriguing
project came to fruition.
07: Don't Feed The Falcon 18: Seabear's Back! 23: Green Bytes
11: Joyful Death 20: Art In Venice 24: Track by Track:
12: Design May 22: Feminist Film Festi- Summer Pop
val 26: The Icelandic Dracula
Controversy
Fundamental Switch In
Icelandic Politics And What
To Gain From It
EDITORIAL The municipal elections are up on the 14th of What is important is that immigrants are aware of their
May - the same day as Eurovision if that helps. rights when it comes to this. The government didn’t really see
The Icelandic government has finally changed the election much reason to advertise this news after the 1st of January
laws, allowing thousands of new voters to participate in our when the law took effect. Nor did the media pick this up until
democracy that boasts the longest-running parliament in the April (Reykjavík Grapevine was one of the first to report this
world. Now, immigrants outside of the Nordic countries can if anyone is wondering).
vote if they have lived in Iceland for 3 years on elections day Luckily, immigrants don’t have to register to vote, so it
instead of 5 years, and immigrants from the Nordic countries won’t really affect them, but it was quite telling how little
can vote the moment they are registered in Iceland. emphasis the government and the politicians in Iceland place
This is quite some news, truth to be told. Fréttablaðið on educating immigrants about their fundamental rights.
reported on the 4th of May that 40% of voters in Vík í Mýrdal, This will change, though. There is no way denying that
a town in the famous South of Iceland, are immigrants. immigrants are becoming a much stronger part of the demo-
We haven’t seen how this affects other towns or the city of cratic debate. And they have the power to be heard if they chose
Reykjavík, but it’s clear that immigrants are finally given a to exercise their right to vote. The Reykjavík Grapevine believes
loud voice to be heard on the democratic stage. that this will not only make immigrants’ lives more bearable in
This also changes politics in a fundamental way on this the future, but it’s also vital for us as a welfare community to
small self-centred island. Perhaps not overnight, but it’s clear foster those that need help to find their foothold. All countries
that politicians cannot ignore those 50,000+ immigrants that have done so throughout history have profited manyfold.
already living in Iceland, which amounts to almost 15% of the
nation. Meaning that the parties will not only focus on the Valur Grettisson
needs of Icelandic citizens but also focus on the problems that Editor-in-chief
immigrants face every day which Icelanders have very little if
any, understanding on.
Joana Fontinha is an Alice Poggio, quarter- Pollý is a hard-work- Josie Anne Gaitens Iryna Zubenko is a Catharine Fulton is a Shruthi Basappa is Andie Sophia Fontaine Valur Grettisson is
Aries baby expressing life crisis is all too real, ing journalist by day is an arts worker, Ukrainian who has writer who has been one of Iceland's most has lived in Iceland an award-winning
her soul through pho- but Alice is making and an enthusiastic musician and writer been working on involved with the knowledgeable food- since 1999 and has journalist, author
tography. She’s been the most of it. Chasing ball-catcher by from the Scottish the cross-section of Grapevine for many ies. She's covered been reporting since and playwright. He
obsessed with icelan- down her numerous night. A five-year-old Highlands. She was media and technol- years—possibly too local restaurants for 2003. She was the has been writing for
dic culture since her interests, which have dachshund mix with once erroneously ogy for the past five many—serving as years and has also first foreign-born Icelandic media since
teens, so much that at shaped her into the an IQ of a five-year- referred to as the years. While she is still journalist, food edi- been involved in vari- member of the Ice- 2005. He was also a
20 she threw herself poster child for the old human, Pollý is Queen of Scotland figuring out what to tor and news editor ous food competi- landic Parliament, an theatre critic and
headfirst on a plane to sometimes painful Chief Morale Officer by a Malaysian do in life, this time before settling on tions in Iceland, such experience she rec- one of the hosts of
her long-time dream phrase: ‘Master of at the Grapevine, and newspaper and has her love for travelling, copy editor. When not as Food & Fun and ommends for anyone the cultural program,
country, Iceland. none’. UAL graduate, a regular contribu- been falsely using unspoiled nature and wielding her red pen more. By day, she who wants to enjoy 'Djöflaeyjan' on RÚV.
Driven, energetic and volunteer, sculptor, tor to the Grapevine that title ever since. Scandi design has she's often found works as an architect a workplace where Valur is not to be
unable to be still, she freelance artist, wan- Newscast on You- In addition to her brought Iryna to Rey- opining on Canadian at Sei Studio. colleagues work tire- confused with the
clumsily moves like a nabe MacGyver, is now Tube. Woof! Grapevine duties, she kjavík. One day she’ll politics (profession- lessly to undermine dreadful football club
flash and suffers from eager to play her part is currently on a mis- write a non-fiction ally), and bitching each other. that bears the same
a serious fast-talking within the landscape sion to have a pint in book. about Icelandic name.
condition. of Icelandic media. every bar in 101. politics (for fun).
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First The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 05— 2022
4
If you’re looking for
THE REAL
REYKJAVIK Akureyri, yesterday
What Are Icelanders town is not entirely known for its
sea bird nesting grounds (which,
Talking About? do note, are not at all endangered).
However, the widespread public
outcry about the outdoor cat ban
The stuff that stops the scrolling caused Akureyri town council
to amend the ban, wherein cats
[ head for the heart of the Words: Andie Sophia Fontaine Photos: Art Bicnick & Wikimedia Commons
would only be banned from being
outdoors between midnight and
city & stay like a local ] NEWS Mu n i c i p a l e l e c t i on s the country. You may scoff, but our
seven in the morning. Where the
total ban was to start in 2025, this
are coming up on May own reports on this ongoing story ban starts at the beginning of next
From urban chic to 14th, and for those of us in Reyk-
javík, recent polling has shown
have ranked higher than any other
story on our site for weeks now,
year.
simple & snug, each that the current majority—the
Social Democrats, Pirates, Reform
and much the same can be said for
other Icelandic news sites. Many
This has not been enough to stop
Kattaframboðið from running,
hotel offers something Party and Left-Greens—will likely
continue to lead city council. If you
Icelanders have strong feelings
about cats being allowed outside—
and it appears science is on their
side. Even the Icelandic Food and
a little different.
want to go to where the real action for years, the South Iceland town Veterinary Authority have chimed
is, look to the countryside. Which of Hveragerði was plagued by a in on the matter, saying that giving
brings us to our next item on the serial killer of cats, whose usual cats belled collars, or even large,
agenda: MO was to leave poisoned pieces brightly-coloured collars, is typi-
of fish lying about. The culprit has cally enough to warn birds of a cat’s
Local elections in Akureyri are never been found, and is probably approach, thereby offering a happy
proving more contentious than being protected by others sympa- solution that would protect both
anything happening in the capi- thetic to this murderous cause. bird life and the freedom of cats at
tal area. There are actually nine the same time. Will this advice be
parties in the running after a total Reykjavík is far friendlier to taken? We may have to wait until
of 11 seats. This includes all seven outdoor cats, probably because our after the elections to see.
parties represented in Parliament,
the local L-list (town councils
often have “lists” in the running;
even Reykjavík had one, once upon
a time: R-list), and Kattafram-
boðið. This last party, lead by artist
enfant terrible Snorri Ásmunds-
son, has but one platform point:
reverse the ban on outdoor cats
that the town council has been
trying to pass. Many of its candi-
dates are expressly running on
behalf of their cats because, at
least for now, cats are ineligible to
vote or run for office.
Speaking of which, the outdoor
cat ban in Akureyri has ignited the
imaginations of Icelanders across
Cats just wanna have fun
PUBLISHER CONTRIBUTING WRITER SALES DIRECTORS CONTACT US: The Reykjavík
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Published by hilmar@grapevine.is Ingvarsdóttir adalsteinn@grapevine.is Akureyri, Egilsstaðir,
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Jón Trausti —» Press releases
Industry Association Andie Sophia Fontaine Sigurðarson, You may not like The
www.saf.is andiesophia@ events@grapevine.is
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Chris Burkard Kjartansson,
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Printed by Landsprent CULTURE EDITOR Valur Gunnarsson publication. None
ehf. Lilja Birgisdóttir &
of our editorial is
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johnpearson@ The Reykjavík
Joanna Grapevine is or advertisers, and all
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published every
CENTERHOTELS.COM
Josie Anne Gaitens month by Fröken Ltd. are the writer's own.
PHOTO EDITOR Ugo Carmeni Nothing in this
Art Bicnick Úlfar Gunnarsson magazine may be
art@grapevine.is reproduced in whole
Tara Njála Ingvarsdóttir or in part without the
COPY EDITOR written permission of
the publishers.
Catharine Fulton
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First 6 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 05— 2022
ASK AN
Expert
shares was none other than Bjarni’s
father.
While Bjarni has denied any knowl-
edge that his father was amongst the
buyers, the law on selling govern- Q: How To Avoid an Arctic
ment shares of financial institutions
outlines the process for this sale. Arti-
Tern Attack?
cle 4 clearly details: “When an offer
Words: Alice Poggio / Gunnar Þór
[to buy shares] is submitted, Icelan- Hallgrímsson
dic State Financial Investments [ISFI]
Photo: Art Bicnick
submits the offer to the Minister with
the reasoning for the sale. The Minis-
ter decides whether the offer will be
accepted or denied and signs the agree-
ment on behalf of the government on
the sale of the shares.”
“Bjarni did nothing wrong”
As such, it’s seemingly fair to conclude
that Bjarni was either incompetent, at
best, or lying when he said he had no
knowledge of his father buying shares
in the bank. The Arctic Tern is a fascinating and
The opposition has been diligently impressive bird. Over its lifetime
How To Fail At Selling A Bank
calling for his resignation, and that (20-30years) they will travel over
an independent investigative body 70,000 km every year during their
be established to closely examine the roundtrip voyage between Antarctica
Icelanders offers some important lessons entire process of the sale. Instead,
Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir has
and the Polar regions, which is con-
sidered to be the longest migratory
distance in the animal kingdom. They
been adamant that the matter should
can sleep as they glide over these
Words: Over the past few days in Parliament, How it all fell apart wait for the results of examinations
vast distances, and what else? Oh
Andie Sophia no other subject has drawn as much conducted by the Icelandic National
yeah, they’ll gladly dust off their fish-
Fontaine focus as the scandalous sale of a 22.5% First, to review: Íslandsbanki came Audit Office (INAO) and the Central ing dive-bombing skills and use them
stake in Íslandsbanki. Minister of under ownership of the Icelandic treas- Bank. to dive and peck at your head.
Photo: Finance Bjarni Benediktsson has been ury in the wake of the 2008 financial Which is likely where things will Here’s Gunnar Þór Hallgrímsson,
Art Bicnick the target of much of the criticism, and crash, but Bjarni has been very keen stay, despite repeated protests and Professor of Zoology at the University
calls for his resignation have not abated on selling shares of the bank to private recent polling showing strong public of Iceland and ornithology expert, to
since the news first broke last month. interests again. The most recent sale opposition to the government’s posi- tell us why, and how to avoid getting
If the scandal has taught us of shares amounting to a 22.5% stake tion. That’s politics in Iceland for you! attacked.
anything, though, it’s that the ruling in the bank has caused considerable “The first step in avoiding any type
coalition is dedicated to staying in criticism, not least of all when it was of wildlife conflict is to understand
power, no matter how badly one of its revealed that one of the share buyers their behaviour. Terns are very com-
ministers screw up. in the closed and discounted sale of mon in Iceland, so it is nearly impos-
sible to travel around and not run into
them. Luckily they show no aggression
LOST IN GOOGLE TRANSLATION
towards humans except when we ap-
Cetacean Roe
proach their eggs and young. Those
that walk into their colonies are asking
for an attack, and might leave with a
few bleeding wounds on their head.
Therefore, the key to avoiding an
attack is to know how to recognise
their breeding sites. Terns stay in
Hear ye, hear ye, biologists! A headline from sealegs past me, unfazed and seemingly colonies that range from a few tens
today reads: The minke whale has laid six unaffected. After a gruelling 12 hours, the up to several thousand pairs. These
eggs. An egg laying whale? Could global skies open up, giving me respite from the colonies are on flat ground, commonly
warming be the cause of this bizarre anom- aforementioned struggles. A faint signal gravel or short vegetation, and are
aly? I picture eggs the size of cars floating returns to my phone, and I decide to read both busy (birds flying back and forth)
about the surface of the water, as mama the article further. Perhaps there’ll be more and noisy. Those that are unsure if they
minke struggles to keep them all together, useful information on the whereabouts of are approaching a tern colony can pay
like herding buoyant, uncooperative sheep. the whale and its young. Of course. My ex- attention to the behaviour of the birds.
Something like this cannot be missed. I gear citement got the better of me once again. The terns will not suddenly all attack.
up with all the warmest and most water- There’s a picture of a raven in its nest. ‘Hre- When approaching the colony, those
repellent clothing I’ve got, and head down fna’ is Icelandic for minke whale, but it can individuals having a nest closest to you
to the pier. I bribe the fishermen and they also be the feminine version of ‘Hrafn’, raven will start giving a fast and aggressive
let me hitch a ride; the weather is foul and I in English. The article is linked to a live feed alarm call that sounds like kt-kt-kt-kt
can’t see anything on the horizon. Could be of the nest, where the raven couple have laid as well as the first attempts to dive at
the fog, the rain, or it could be the unrelent- six beautiful blue eggs. Of course, squirmy you. If possible, turn around and go the
ing waves crashing onto the boat, making little raven hatchlings are no whale eggs, opposite way.”
sure my face is familiar with the fish-gut but they do manage to ease the disappoint- If not, watch where you step, and
covered floor, or the fact that I’m spewing ment. AP find a stick to hold above your head.
my own guts out onto the murky waters, who This should temporarily confuse the
knows. However, I’m determined to see the birds, who will focus on diving onto
whale and its eggs. Fishermen walk their the new highest point. °
SMASHED BURGERS
AND NASHVILLE-STYLE
HOT CHICKEN IN
DOWNTOWN
REYKJAVÍK
HAFNARSTRÆTI
101 REYKJAVÍK
First 7 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 05— 2022
GREAT MOMENTS
IN ICELANDIC NEW MUSIC PICKS
HISTORY
Umbra
Stóðum two í túni
Exciting days for Early Music nerds!
UMBRA have released a new track from
their upcoming album BJARGRÚNIR and
it's a mediaeval bop. 'Stóðum tvö í túni'
is an old Icelandic folk song about
a couple who sadly must be parted,
saying farewell in a meadow. You know,
usual folk stuff. Umbra's arrangement
begins with an a cappella verse before
bringing in winding fiddle melodies,
clarsach, and vocal harmonies.
The resulting production is dark,
foreboding and exhilarating. JG
Why is everyone feeding saw that a news reporter was prepar-
ing to interview Kristján Þór Júlíus-
the bird of prey?
son on a live TV election broadcast.
When I realised this, it quite naturally
came to my mind that this would be
my grounds of expression, so I quickly
The man behind the moment finally summed up something I could say that
would express my discontent in very
tells his story few words. Not long after they started
interviewing him I sneaked through the
Words: Election night in Iceland, 2016. As election night. However, as the election crowd and communicated what I had
Andie Sophia Minister of Fisheries Kristján Þór Júlíus- results came in, Áki began to feel the thought about directly to the camera, Ári Arelíus
Fontaine son, who belongs to the Independence stunt wasn’t so funny anymore. just managing to finish what I wanted Sól
Party, was granting a live interview at Passing the election office of the to say before Kristján Þór gently pushed Whimsical and mischievous tunes
Image: an election party in Akureyri, a young Independence Party, and Áki “sponta- me away, softly pinching my chin while pour out of Ari Árelíus’ newly released
Screenshot & man stepped into the middle of the neously had the idea that we should go doing so.” single, “Sól”. Slightly distorted guitar
Úlfar Gunnarsson exchange, looked directly at the camera, in there and express our discontent in solos give us rock vibes, but his
background in Jazz shines through
and angrily demanded to know: one way or another”. Jón Haukur wasn’t An overnight sensation here, and in a very exciting way.
“Why does no one remember the entirely convinced, and so the two went Several instruments create unlikely
financial crash and Tortola?,” he said, their separate ways, with Áki joining the Áki says the act was “entirely spontane- ‘friendships’, skillfully coordinated by
referring to the site of the offshore party. ous” and came “quite purely,” adding, “I Ari, creating a playful, dynamic and
company where then Prime Minister “Not knowing what I was really there wouldn’t hesitate if I were to magically upbeat musical journey. AP
Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson was for, I felt a bit weird amongst all these relive the scenario even knowing that it
keeping money. “Why is everyone feed- fancy dressed people, whilst still wear- might result in more attention that I’m
ing the bird of prey?,” referring to the ing my farmer's uniform, and not really generally comfortable with.”
falcon, symbol of the Independence knowing anybody in there,” he says. “As
Party. I was standing there in my confusion I
Those six seconds became a viral
hit, and the young man in question, Áki
Frostason, found himself in the media
spotlight overnight. While he has for
years declined requests for interviews,
he has finally come forward to give his
side of the story about that fateful night.
BSÍ
It all began with satire Jelly Belly
New jam from BSÍ is out! As the band’s
Áki and his friend Jón Haukur Unnars- Instagram says, “Jelly Belly invites you
son spent the week before the elections to a heartening group therapy session
engaging in a satirical performance where past pains and traumas meet
a 157 bpm outburst of playfulness,
pretending to be Progressive Party
agitation and infectious joy.” Catchy
supporters; donning sixpence hats, lyrics, playful vibes, and don’t get me
wearing “farmer suits” and even getting started on how cool the music video
a photo op with then Prime Minister is. I’m adding it to my summer playlist,
Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson on are you? IZ
UN F O R G E T T A B L E F O O D AN D
D R INK E X P ER I EN C E
Seljavegur 2, 101 Reykjavík, www.hedinnrestaurant.is
A Ball For All
In creating a new piece of work that brings
together professional and amateur dancers, the
choreographers of "Ball" want to start a dialogue
about the nature and accessibility of dance. We
head along to rehearsals to see why you, too,
should be dancing.
Words:: Josie Anne Gaitens Photos:: Art Bicnick
On a stage in the centre of Reykjavík, 15 choreographed by artist duo Alexan- seen on stage. So this is our common…” age years until she completed her BA
strangers are dancing. They move to the der Roberts and Ásrún Magnúsdót- — she pauses, searching for the right in Contemporary Dance Practices at
music in exaltation, arms outstretched, tir. It involves five dancers from the word. the Iceland University of the Arts. It’s
mouths wide in laughter. Hips are sway- Company performing alongside ten “Element,” adds Alexander. “Yeah, this, she feels, that is partially respon-
ing, fists are pumping. They are people other ‘amateur’ dancers, all from differ- exactly,” Ásrún agrees. “Our projects sible for her desire to step outside of
of many colours, races, backgrounds ent backgrounds, who range in age always come from this heart.” the norms she had experienced for the
and ages, and now they are not only from 12 to 80. Each performer brought Talking to Alexander and Ásrún is twenty years of her training. On finish-
dancing—they are singing, in unison. a dance from their particular style, and like this. They seem to know exactly ing her degree, Ásrún realised she was
The stage lights go out, and the music the whole cast worked with Ásrún and when to jump into each other’s tired of the word ‘contemporary’, and
stops too, but their voices remain. “You Alexander to create a new, cohesive sentences with a carefully selected even the very specific body shape that
should be dancing,” they chant, quietly piece. Ball is certainly the right word word, or when instead to leave a space. typified professional dancers.
now. There is a split second of silence, for it — it’s a jubilant celebration. They listen to each other carefully, Alexander, on the other hand,
and then the theatre erupts in whoop- frequently ask each other, “What do describes himself as having, “no back-
ing applause. you think?” It’s clearly not a deflection ground in dance at all.”
Say the words ‘contemporary dance’ Creating in tandem either, but a genuine commitment to “When I was younger it was probably
to someone, and they may baulk at the curiosity. It’s not lost on me that their my least favourite thing. I could even
idea. Vast misunderstandings plague Alexander and Ásrún have been work- go as far as saying I probably hated it,”
this genre of art; the idea that it is ing together since meeting at Reykjavík he says, with a tiny sliver of glee just
pretentious, highbrow, and elitist is Dance Festival in 2012. Early on in their noticeable in his voice. Instead, Alex
certainly a big turn off for many people, came to dance through an interest in
but so is the much more subtle belief experimental music and performance.
that it’s for a certain ‘type’ of person.
“Through that I discovered chore-
ography, and I just found what was
Behind closed doors, though, many happening in the dance and chore-
people have a relationship with dance. relationship, they saw in each other the interaction is in itself somewhat dance- ography field to be something I was
The doctor who used to study ballet as common principles and goals that now like, in its subtle rhythms and turns. really excited about. But my interest
a child. The pre–teens learning routines unify and guide their artistic partner- has always been in the thing we've been
from Youtube videos in their bedrooms. ship; ideas of community, challenging Different routes to dance talking about already,” he says, gestur-
The 20–something lad–about–town norms and accepted ways of approach- ing to Ásrún. “The different ways that
who loves the dancefloor on a night out. ing art, and crucially, who they wanted Despite their shared ideologies regard- you can engage in an art context to
The care–home resident who remem- to create work with. ing art participation, Ásrún and make space for voices, bodies, stories,
bers ballrooms with shining eyes. “We're both very interested in Alexander have completely different or desires that otherwise there isn’t a
This shared love of dance that is a working with non-professionals, and backgrounds when it comes to their space for. For me dance just became
commonality between so many people, making space for different voices to be own introductions to dance. Ásrún one of the situations where that was
and yet so rarely given a spotlight, is at heard and seen,” Ásrún explains. “Our trained as a dancer from a young age, possible.”
the heart of “Ball”, the latest produc- aim with our work is to bring people doing ballet and contemporary classes, “But,” he adds wryly, “I am a complete
tion of Iceland Dance Company (IDC), to the stage who are maybe not often and sticking with it through her teen- and utter imposter.”
thing Felix seems to take in his stride, “When you’re on stage, you’re on 9 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Considering likely however. stage,” Ásrún clarifies. “There are no Issue 05— 2022
“Overall it entices some kind of chal- ins and outs. So everyone is involved in
collaborators lenge, for both the professional and the everyone's dance, sometimes more and
guest dancers. As contemporary danc- sometimes less.”
Imposter or not, over the past ten years, ers we’re having to adapt to different “You can be involved by doing the
Alex and Ásrún have built up an impres- languages, styles and aesthetic visions,” exact same steps as everyone else, or
sive CV of work, including many pieces he explains. But ultimately, from his you can be involved by just standing
which feature unlikely ‘stars’—teenag- perspective, the project has been a there and watching,” adds Alexander.
ers, disabled people, even the residents success. “But you’re always present.” They both
of Ásrún’s apartment building. When “I think it does work. At the end of say this last part, almost in unison,
Erna Ómarsdóttir, the artistic direc- the process I see the vision. I see that apparently not even noticing, as if this
tor of Iceland Dance Company (IDC), it’s actually making a nice space to talk happens all the time.
invited them to create a piece, the chal- about something else.”
lenge was how to do so while staying The open-minded response to the
true to their identity and values as project from Felix and his four fellow Iceland’s Billy Elliot?
artists. colleagues from the Company was in no
“There is a question of what it means small way crucial to the outcome of the One of the guest dancers participating
for two artists like us who are inter- piece. When asked about the IDC danc- in the project is 22-year-old Luis Lucas
ested in working with, let's say unlikely ers involved, Ásrún can barely describe Antónió Cabambe. Born in Angola, "You get a lot of joy from spending time with
collaborators, to then go and work with her gratitude and admiration for them: Luis moved to Iceland with his mother people who are different to you, and listening
the most likely collaborators: a group of “They’ve been just amazing,” she when he was three years old. Growing and learning from them"
professional dancers in a professional says, shaking her head in wonder. up, he was sporty, incredibly dedicated — Choreographer Alexander Roberts
dance company,” acknowledges Alex. “Available, generous, inviting, support- to football (he is a semi-professional
“Our first starting point was to ive, and so open to learning from the footballer to this day, playing for KÁ
say, okay, well, could we expand the others.” Ásvellir), but always had a fascination
Company? And an obvious thought was with dance. team making fun of me. But eventually
to find a group of people who have one “I was always dancing,” Luis says. I just went for it.”
thing in common, which would be their “Learn by doing” “Whenever the opportunity came, As Luis suspected, starting ballet
love of dance — but maybe the dance whether it was a festival outside, or a lessons was not an easy process for a
that they speak about is very different This learning process, and the process birthday, or at home or just whenever 13-year-old boy. For a long time he was
from each other.” of creating “Ball”, began with the guest there was a dance scenario, I, you know, the only male in the class, and he was
A project like “Ball” presents—and dancers each leading a mini dance I got to it! I started jigging, I started indeed ribbed, albeit in a good-natured
is probably designed to present—a workshop for the rest of the ensemble. grooving.” With this he lifts his fists and way, by his fellow football teammates.
number of challenges. From finding Alexander and Ásrún also took part in shimmies his shoulders in demonstra- But there were plus-sides too; Luis’s
people who want to be involved, to the these classes themselves, in order to be tion with a broad smile and a refreshing coaches were very supportive of his
dancers themselves contributing the fully integrated into the experience and lack of self-consciousness, even though decision, and he became firm friends
bulk of the mate- we’re sat in the middle of a with his classmates, describing the girls
rial, to coordinat- busy cafe. he danced with as “like family.” In addi-
“I am a complete
ing the schedules Things changed for Luis tion, it quickly became clear that Luis
of 15 participants, when his family moved had both the talent and dedication to
the whole process from Selfoss to Keflavík become very, very good. At the end of
and utter imposter.”
is completely when he was 13. At this the year he performed in the school’s
unlike IDC’s regular point he was seeing more annual show, with his ecstatic mother
productions. The and more dance on TV in the audience filming every move.
challenges arising through shows like “Brit-
from new ways of ain’s Got Talent”. Initially,
working don’t just he wanted to learn how to Dancing with the stars
impact the organisation on a struc- to “learn by doing,” as Alex puts it. “We do The Robot, but unfortunately, oppor-
tural level, they also extend to the five were participating in a lot of dances tunities in Keflavík weren’t forthcom- Life for Luis took another fateful turn
Company dancers involved in the piece. that I for one was really bad at,” he dead- ing. when the family then moved over to
“We normally only work with profes- pans, eliciting a big laugh from Ásrún. “The only dance option I had there Breiðholt, which happened to be the
sional dancers in a particular artistic To be fair to Alexander, the range was ballet,” Luis tells me. “At first I home of the only street dance school
context,” one dancer, Félix Urbina of dances the cast brought to the table thought, there’s no way I’m going to in the country. Shortly after the move,
Alejandre tells me. “But there’s also would present most people with a chal- do ballet, because I’m a guy, and I was Luis remembers watching an Icelan-
this other possibility, of creating a piece lenge. Bollywood, Go-go, street dance afraid of the other guys in my soccer dic talent contest on TV, where he
with a different vision.” and ballet are all featured styles that the was enraptured by the performance
ensemble have shared, learned, and will of the winning act, dancer Brynjar
soon be performing. “The show is a lot
“Overall it entices some about that experience; about someone
bringing a dance and the different ways
kind of challenge” the ensemble participates in it,” Alex
explains.
Pivoting from the way you have been
trained to work for years, sometimes
decades, can be not just exacting, but
also emotionally confronting. It’s some-
10 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 05— 2022
“I’ve realised that in the dance joy at being finally able to once again “I think so,” he says, slowly, still
community, there’s not a lot of money attend cultural and social events, to rub considering. “Yeah, I do. What makes
in this work,” he says honestly. “So I’m shoulders with a stranger in a theatre. this different is that there are so many
Dagur. Discovering that Brynjar Dagur doing what I do for the love, for my styles. There’s so much flavour. So I
attended the same dance school near
where he lived, Luis quickly began to
passion for dancing.” Who is dance for? think that whoever comes, there’s a
little bit for everyone.”
take all of the classes he possibly could, But there is still the question of who “We’re so flexible, we’re all so differ-
practising for hours in front of the Covid, and the great this piece is for. As a collaborative and ent,” he adds, beginning to gesticulate
mirror in his bedroom. participatory piece, it is clearly open as he really gets behind his answer. “It’s
“It was the coolest thing I’ve ever
seen,” says Luis, of Brynjar’s perfor-
hiatus and accessible, and this is something
Alex and Ásrún have thought about in
like going to a music festival with a lot
of different artists. Maybe not everyone
mance. “After that it was like, yeah, I’m It’s this passion for dance that Ásrún detail when designing the project. But will enjoy every single part of it, but I
going to be like that guy.” and Alexander have spent the last two when it comes to the performances think everyone will at least enjoy some
Luis excelled. Not only did he become years of this project trying to both themselves, will potential audiences be of it.”
good enough to form a duo with his explore and corral, somehow. Of course, able to look past the word ‘contempo- He admits, however, that despite his
hero, Brynjar Dagur, but the pair then it goes without saying that the time- rary’, and find something that reflects own love of dance, he’s not always sure
travelled together to Portugal for The line for this piece was never intended themselves? how to encourage people who don’t feel
Dance World Cup—which they subse- to be two years long. When I ask the Felix hopes so. “There are always a connection with cultural activities to
going to be some things that are more attend performances like this. But he
“Dance is like fingerprints; it
open to everybody than others. ‘Ball’, is adamant that dance has changed his
since its inception, has always been life, and he strongly feels this connec-
about society, community, and people. tion with fellow dancers.
connects to each person in
So I think it is really accessible. Also, “I just really think that dancers in
it's really a showcase of many styles, general, no matter where they come
so people can just come to enjoy very from, they have this advanced range,
their own way.”
beautiful dance.” they have this better way of under-
standing things,” he says passionately.
Ásrún and Alexander share similar “You know, some people say dance is
sentiments. “I just hope people will see a sport, but really, for me, it's art. It's a
this is possible,” Ásrún says. way of expression, it's a way of connect-
choreographers if they had to stop at “I see a lot of beauty in the people ing emotionally to whatever that is that
points because of Covid, Ásrún sighs on stage,” adds her partner. “There’s a you feel.”
and replies, “many times.” The cast lot of honesty and sincerity and they’re
was first put together in early 2020, giving a lot of themselves to the audi-
and they’d even gathered for a couple ence, and to each other as well. What “Dance is like
of meetings and an initial photoshoot you’re going to get is this experience
before the first hiatus. But Ásrún also
points out that there were silver linings
of seeing a group of dancers that are
having this ‘ball’ together, they’re really
fingerprints”
to this unplanned extended process: having this party on stage together. And Luis is waving his hands so wildly
“You don’t start from scratch. We the audience are kind of being invited to now that he accidentally sends his
keep everything we do in our pockets join in on that situation and that atmo- mobile phone flying off the table, and
and then we bring it back. Sometimes sphere. So that special energy has been I am trying to subtly secure my wobbly
it can be fine to have these breaks, actu- created between that group of dancers coffee cup with a vice-like grip. He
ally, because you have time to rest in on the stage is one that in the course of catches the phone before it hits the
“Contemporary dance is a scary term. It’s big and it and think about it and realise what the show, kind of envelops the audience floor with predictably good reflexes,
broad yet it still doesn’t say too much.” parts are better than others.” and the audience are invited into that and shoots me a beatific grin as he pulls
—Choreographer Ásrún Magnúsdóttir In some ways it feels particularly experience too.” his thoughts together.
fitting that this piece that so specifi- “A lot of people come up to me and
cally celebrates the joy of bodies and say, ‘Luis, I wish you could teach me
quently won. Still only in his early twen-
movement in space together, and
the unspoken relationships between
A little bit for everyone how to dance in the club.’ But the moves
that I teach you? You won't necessarily
ties, Luis has now won several awards, strangers, will come into being just at It’s a beautiful idea of symbiosis connect to them in the way I do when
performed on TV numerous times and the moment of the great re-opening of between the dancer and the watcher, I'm dancing at the club.”
travelled to multiple countries to take the world. Those who attend “Ball” will but I wonder if it’s one that Luis, and “Dance is like fingerprints,” he lands
part in dance workshops and competi- have the opportunity to meet the joy his footballer friends, would connect on, finally. “It connects to each person
tions. of the dancers on stage with their own with. When I ask him if the other play- in their own way. Nobody has the same
He’s a self-described yes man. ers on his team could come and enjoy understanding, or feeling through
Although he is currently focussing this performance, he thinks hard before dance because you kind of have to make
more on his football career than his answering me. it your own. But what we all have in
dancing, he tries to fit in dance projects common is this possibility of connect-
whenever he can. “I want to meet new ing to it, you know? You have to just
people and I want to be part of a project explore it.”
that’s fun,” Luis tells me.Find today's events
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CULTURE
NEWS
Börnin og Dauðinn 60x40
ghost folklore, which was quite strong until the
mid 20th century. In Þrándur’s painting, she
meets a famous feminist and one of Iceland’s
suffragettes, Þorbjörg Sveinsdóttir, who was a
EUROVISION!!!!!!!!!! midwife and fought relentlessly for women’s
right to seek education.
Eurovision night with Gógó Starr
Doomed to roam around
May 14th - 19:00 -
Þjóðleikhúskjallarinn - 3900ISK “It’s really a peculiar folklore about the watch-
men,” Þrándur says, but it is believed that
Not sure where to watch the Grand the first person that is buried in an Icelandic
Final of Eurovision this year? Our cemetery is doomed to roam around and keep
suggestion: book a table for the the dead away from the living. It’s considered
viewing night hosted by drag almost a curse for the one who has to do the
performers Gógó Starr, Agatha P., job, and the next of kin have to be asked if they
Starina, Twinkle Starr and Mr.Mrs. agree to this. Part of the folklore is that the
Rammstücklein. The more glitter watchmen will not rot in their grave; they will
you have on you, the better—there crawl out at night and keep everyone—the dead
will be a best costume competition, that is—in their place.
as well as a pop quiz and Eurovision-
themed bingo. Beware: a fabulous Play with the Grim Reaper
night lies ahead! IZ
Among the other paintings, there is one of
children talking to the Grim Reaper joyfully.
Children And The
It’s a striking image and an eerie depiction of
children and death.
“The idea came from a piece of performance
art that Ragnar Kjartansson did in 2004,” Þrán-
Stay Calm & Drop Acid
Joyful Death
ACIDFEST
The obscure humour of Þrándur in his depiction of Iceland’s
most famous cemeteries.
March 10th - 20:00 - Gaukurinn -
2,900 ISK
Words: Valur Grettisson Photos: Þrándur Þórarinsson
Liverpool Psychedelic Society
and Creation Dream Machine will Þrándur Þórarinsson is hands-down one of sary to look further for inspiration,” he answers
be hosting a 3-day festival in the Iceland’s most unique visual artists. He was when asked why he chose the cemetery as a
remote fishing village of Rif, located an apprentice of Odd Nerdrum and has used subject.
a 2.5 hour drive from Reykjavík. his unique combination of national romanti-
ACIDFEST will feature jam sessions, cism and Renaissance style to both capture the The Watchmen
live music events (from artists political landscape and to depict exactly what
representing the UK, USA, Sweden Icelanders think about Grýla. Spoiler alert: She Þrándur was offered to have an exhibition at
and Iceland), photo exhibition, and eats children in a very visual way. Neskirkja and he says it’s fitting to have an
more. If trippy visuals is something exhibition about the cemetery, but the show is
that excites you, check out this Obscure humour simply called “Í Hólavallagarði” (In Hólavalla-
event. Following the ACIDFEST in Rif, garden).
there’ll also be a one-day event at But Þrándur’s newest exhibition in Neskirkja “It felt appropriate to approach death, where
KEX hostel on May 28th. IZ in West Reykjavík is a bit different. All of the funerals and wakes are held.”
artwork is connected to Hólavallakirkjugarður Þrándur says that the paintings are the
cemetery and death is all around—and so is result of research that he really enjoyed. For
Þrándur’s humour. example, there is a painting of the not-that- Þrándur Þórarinsson,
“I live at Ljósavallagata. I can see the garden well-known Guðrún Oddsdóttir, the watchman an artist at work
from my window, and I felt like it was unneces- of the garden. She is reminiscent of Icelandic
dur explains. Ragnar dressed up as the Grim
Reaper and played joyfully with children,
breaking interesting barriers between children
and death in his perfomance art.
Waxing and Waining Ragnar did this performance when he was
still a student, but Þrándur was taken by the
Rufus Wainwright idea that the Grim Reaper plays with children.
Once again we can see glimpses of Þrándur’s
March 18th & 19th - 20:00 & 22:30 - wonderful humour, as well as a playful take on
Harpa - 5,990 to 12,990 ISK how children are almost never associated with
death in this way.
Grammy-nominated American-
Canadian singer, composer and Almost sold out
songwriter Rufus Wainwright is
coming to Iceland for a concert Þrándur has a lot on his plate, but has already
at Harpa Silfurberg. In the past, sold a few paintings afrom the show, although
Rufus has collaborated with music it hasn’t formally opened yet. It’s expected that
industry legends such as Elton John the rest will sell out on Sunday, when the open-
and Robbie Williams. In Reykjavík, ing will be held. So if you want to buy a painting
he’ll be performing together with by this odd genius, you better be early.
Jacob Mann on piano and Brian
Green on guitar. Iceland-resident The opening will be held on Sunday in Neskirkja,
and musician John Grant will be Hagatorgi 107, Reykjavík, at 11:00
Guðrún Odds tekur
supporting the concert. Why not á móti Thorbjörgu
treat yourself to one of the first big Sveins 95x95cm
concerts since the pandemic? IZCulture The Reykjavík Grapevine 12
Issue 05— 2022
Sigurðardóttir. They invite us to been working alongside designer
observe their exploration into Arnar Ingi to explore how the life
“Our aim the possibilities available when it cycle of a product can be extended
comes to recycling and reshaping by straying away from its original
is to start mineral wool, as well as its waste role. ERM (sleeve in English) is
conversations materials, which would otherwise the result of this investigation, a
be sent to landfill. Mineral wool is chair made out of a single metal
and to be one of the few building materials rod, covered with the sleeves of
inspiring.” produced in Iceland. The substance
it’s made from hardens during
discarded puffer jackets. Addition-
ally, Studio Flétta will be showcas-
the manufacturing process, turn- ing their experimentations with
ing into a stone which resembles textile offcuts from 66°North in an
obsidian. effort to upcycle waste materials.
Run!
A new initiative by the Architect
Association of Iceland is sure to
get your heart beating faster. They
will hold four runs through Reyk-
javik, where they will guide you
through the complexities of the
city. You will be able to see the city
through the architects’ eyes, and
understand the reasoning behind
layout and build choices. There are
runs for every level and ability, so
no excuses! There will be a warm up
15 minutes before the run, so make
sure to be there ahead of time and
Hot tubs for birds: yay avoid cramps, you wouldn't want to
or nay? fall behind and miss this fun event.
Iceland is home to thousands of
bird species. But while humans
Experimenting with textile offcuts
can enjoy the variety of swimming
pools and hot tubs the country
Celebrating Imagination
has to offer, birds, unfortunately,
cannot. Would they want to though?
With a project titled ‘Bibi & blabla’,
Studio Allsber intends to translate
some of the products humans use
in their daily lives to the bird world,
DesignMarch is back in full swing and, hence, strengthen our rela-
tionship with the flying creatures.
Words: Alice Poggio & Iryna Zubenko Photos: Provided by DesignMarch
The spotlight has shifted onto
actual design processes and inno-
vative methods. Álfrún adds,
“Designers are trying to come up
with new solutions to the big prob- The future of hunting
lems the world is facing now, such Apparently, mushroom leather
as overpopulation and shortcom- is a thing now. Intrigued? A local
ings of the healthcare system. I brand Góð Bráð has designed hunt-
think this DesignMarch will reflect ing garments (vests, gloves, bags,
that.” Nostalgic retro flair and more) made from recycled
Because going through the from a slow fashion materials and mushroom leather.
hundreds of exhibits can be a little brand The project promotes respect
overwhelming, we’ve gone ahead for nature and sustainable hunt-
and picked out some of the high- A clothing garment that stands the ing—by choosing mushrooms over
lights of what’s on offer this year. test of time is what the Icelandic animals.
Iceland’s largest design festival, slow fashion brand AS WE GROW
DesignMarch, is about to return Remote working 2.0 truly believes in. The brand’s clothes Local students bring on
for its 14th year running—in May. are passed on from generation to a fashion show
Although the pandemic forced it to “Consequences” is a game created generation, bearing sentimental
bend to the numerous restrictions by product designers Ari Jóns- value and linking people together. It’s not an easy time for the fash-
over the past two years, it did not son and Þórður Jörundsson. The
Bye Covid-19, Made responsibly with sustainably- ion industry—the pandemic has
break, and excitement is at an all game has predetermined rules that sourced materials, AS WE GROW taught us to appreciate pyjamas
time high for the event’s return. govern the design of the furniture,
hello Coat-19 encourages people to buy fewer and sweatpants, and overall the
Few could be looking forward to but each player does not get to see The coronavirus pandemic has items, but of better quality. Check trend is to consume less, espe-
it more, however, than Head of PR what the other person is creating. undoubtedly contributed to the out the brand’s spring-summer cially when it comes to fast fashion.
and Communication Álfrún Páls- Half the furniture cannot stand world’s plastic pollution. With piles collection at DesignMarch, along Come to the Iceland University of
dóttir: “For the past two years, on its own and is useless until it of single-use masks that need to with the opening of their brand- Arts Graduate Fashion Show to find
we've been on this Covid-19 roller is exhibited with its counterpart. be changed every few hours and new showroom. out what fashion students have to
coaster, but DesignMarch 2022 is “Consequences” is an experiment are rarely disposed of properly, offer the industry in these fast-
going to happen full blast. We are which puts us alongside the design- the scale of the problem is almost changing times.
really excited to just tell people to ers, holding our breath as two absurd. Artists Tobia Zambotti and
go out, explore, talk, hug and to pieces become one. Aleksi Saastamoinen want to draw Designers and
have a nice time. It will be a cele- attention to pandemic-related ambassadors unite
bration of imagination,” she says. “Einangrun” Insulation/ pollution with a puffer jacket
Unlike most design events, Isolation made with about 1500 disinfected Design Diplomacy is a unique
many of the contributors to disposable masks collected from series of events hosted by Design-
DesignMarch are in attendance at Farmers Market will introduce new the streets of Reykjavík. March together with local diplo-
their own exhibits, something that garments made from Icelandic mats. The ambassadors of Norway,
Álfrún believes is key to the festi- wool fur, in line with the key values Denmark, Finland and the USA will
val’s success. “Our aim is to start of the brand: use of natural fabrics, open their doors to designers, as
conversations and to be inspiring," craftsmanship and respect for the
66°North supports well as the public, for insightful
she explains. “It’s not just about environment. The product line was innovation talks and a special card game. On
designing objects, but also about developed in collaboration with 66°North is extremely present the programme: design-centred
design thinking.” Ístex, a wool processing company in this year’s DesignMarch festi- conversations, musings on the
Sustainability has arguably owned by Icelandic farmers. The val, collaborating with different future of knitwear, explorations of
been the leading topic in recent wool used for the faux fur is unco- designers on projects all relating to ceramic artists, ways how architec-
times, and it played an important loured, leftover wool that cannot waste in the textile industry. Valdís ture could solve global problems
role in the past editions of Design- be used for knitting yarn. Another Steinarsdóttir will be exhibiting and more.
March. “A few years ago, everybody exciting use of waste materials, her research on a technique which
was talking about sustainability,” could this finally be a worthy chal-
Beautiful waste would eliminate cloth scraps, by DesignMarch will take place on
Álfrún clarifies. “That was the lenger to real fur? We hope so. This exhibition showcases research using a natural liquid material May 4-8 in multiple locations in the
main focus. But now it's kind of a on mineral wool, an ongoing proj- that holds the desired shape when capital area.
given.” ect by Studio Flétta and Kristín poured into a mould. She has also Full programme: designmarch.isYou can also read
