Reykjavík Grapevine - 20.10.2007, Blaðsíða 28

What did you think? What did you think?Exhibition
Árni Torfason is one of them, and his solo exhibi-
tion, currently on display at gallery Fótógrafí, is
definitely worth checking out.
The exhibition features one-off on-stage mo-
ments captured at various concerts in Iceland and
abroad. Árni, who works for the daily newspaper
Morgunblaðið, says he has always been particu-
larly interested in concert photography and since
2002 has shot numerous up-and-coming local
acts to world-famous international musicians.
“The idea behind the exhibition was to present
the diversity of live concert photography. Some-
times I feel like photographers are all stuck in
the same style, no matter what band is playing.
It has for example been pretty popular to set the
time to half-a-second, move the camera around
and then flash in the end” he explains and points
out that some photographers don’t seem to under-
stand that such photos don’t always fit the mood.
“It wouldn’t make much sense when photograph-
ing Nick Cave playing the piano,” he adds. All
the photos displayed are also for sale. The price
ranges from 15,000 ISK to 50,000 ISK, depending
on size and the bands posing.
Árni has been a dedicated Airwaves photog-
rapher for years and in addition to the exhibition,
he recently published a book that features his
Airwaves highlights for the past five festivals. “I
looked through my pictures and selected some of
my favourites. I also chose photos that I thought
would describe the festival the best,” he says.
You can buy the book at Fótógrafí, the Naked Ape
shop and the Airwaves Information Centre, lo-
cated at café Hressó. The exhibition is open until
November 3. SJ
Fótógrafí,
Skólavörðustígur 4a
Live: on Camera
Iceland Airwaves isn’t only an annual celebration of all true
music nerds but also the year’s highlight among the many
concert photographers around.
Swan Lee at Roskilde Festival in 2004. Photo by Árni Torfason
Mo / Vice Magazine, Denmark
What I like about the festival is that everybody
comes to Reykjavík to meet – the media, the music
label people, the musicians. My favourite band so
far is FM Belfast, but I am much more in for the
partying.
Carolin / Student, Germany
I quite like the festival, but it’s annoying to stand
in line all the time, sometimes it is just impossi-
ble to get in and you miss out on the good gigs.
I most liked Sam Amidon for the beautiful string
arrangements.
Máni / Student, Iceland
Airwaves is the best festival in Iceland. I saw Tren-
temöller’s gig. It was really powerful and symbol-
ic, and the graphics took that up perfectly.
Sara / Artist, UK & Iceland
It’s not what I expected, it’s a really good atmos-
phere, it totally engulfs you, and people are so
welcoming and just having lots of fun. I liked Mr.
Silla and Mongoose, because it gave me goose-
bumps.
Vegard / Musician and truck driver, Norway
Airwaves is a new experience for me, because
there are very special bands. Best Fwends had a
good energy you could dance to and I am looking
forward to see Jakobínarína.
Carol and Pauline / Lawyer and executive, USA
NASA is the best venue out of five we’ve been to.
Mr. Silla and Mongoose and Bloodgroup were es-
pecially good. Actually, our 16-year old children
wanted to be here, but now we’re here instead
while they are at school.
Emil / Barman, Iceland
The festival is culturally very good, it is healthy to
listen to good music and it’s a good advertisement
for the Icelandic nation. It’s hard to choose one
band over another; it’s good to see the diversity.
Mayu / Music lover, Japan
I liked Hafdís Húld, she is so pretty, and Múm,
who played a very nice concert. For me, coming
to the festival is a dream come true, because I love
Björk and Icelandic music.
www.bluelagoon.com
Energy for life through forces of nature