Reykjavík Grapevine - 02.07.2008, Page 20

20 | REYKJAVÍK GRAPEVINE | ISSUE 08—2008
ARTICLE By nathaniel flagg — photo By charlie Strand
ARTICLE By oddur SturluSon ARTICLE By nathaniel flagg
After two years in the making, Project: Iceland, a new book
by the English fashion and music photographer Charlie
Strand, featuring the cutting-edge in Icelandic music, art and
fashion today has finally been released. The book includes
interviews and detailed bios of fifty artists with full-colour
photos of the artists and their work as well as a 16-track au-
dio CD.
“It’s very much about promoting the artists,” said Strand
“Iceland has so much new talent these days, I think it de-
serves it… I came here and I was so amazed. It just begged
to be made.” With the book scheduled for worldwide release
later this month, the international community can find a bet-
ter opportunity to discover the creative force Iceland is fast
becoming. The book covers familiar giants such as Sigur Rós,
múm, Helicopter and Riceboy Sleeps as well as younger art-
ists yet on the rise. No matter what their successes, they can
all celebrate a newfound global attention in their inclusion in
this book.
This is not to say that every important creative figure
in Iceland is here. The book focuses on artists whose work
manages to remain exciting and stirring in print. “It’s definite-
ly been curated,” says Strand. “I chose these artists based on
sort of a dynamism, a readiness to almost jump off the page,
they really grab your attention. Not everyone is here, by any
means.”
Strand, trained as a stylist in London, came upon pho-
tography in documentation of his own works, and quickly
moved beyond his education into the world of fashion and
music photography. This is the first book of his work. “No one
is going to give a damn about the next one,” Strand jokes,
“But people have been so supportive. It’s great.”
The book, though created by Strand as well as featuring
many of his photographs, is a collaborative effort of many
photographers, designers and artists, representing several
years worth of hard work and research. “It’s been stressful,
but I think we’re all proud of how it came out.”
The book is available in major bookstores throughout
Reykjavik for 4.990 ISK, and its release in Europe, Asia and
Australia is scheduled later this month. The US release is
scheduled in August.
Contrary to rumours and speculation, Mr. Destiny has con-
firmed that the tenth annual Iceland Airwaves music festi-
val will be held this fall starting on Wednesday October 15
and finishing the following Sunday. In the last few weeks a
number of employees have left the company including Eldar
Ástþórsson, manager of the last three Airwaves festivals. This
has sparked a hot media debate about the company’s own-
ership of Airwaves, the financial problems it faces and the
laughable grant the city provides. Iceland Airwaves will now
be managed by a subsidiary of Mr. Destiny.
Foreign bands announced for this year: Junior Boys, CSS
(Cansei de Ser Sexy), Dirty Projectors, Final Fantasy, Yelle,
Planningrorock, Young Guns, White Lies, Therese Aune,
Stars Like Fleas, Miracle Fortress, Florence and the machine,
Robots in disguise, PNAU, Familjen, Handsome Furs, Simian
Mobile Disco, Crystal Castles, Jerry Bouthier and These New
Puritans.
Icelandic bands announced for this year: GusGus,
Skakkamannage, Seabear, Retro Stefson, Dikta, Hjaltalín,
Reykjavík!, FM Belfast, Sprengjuhöllina, Dr. Spock, Dýrðina,
Borko, Steed Lord, Glutus Maximus and Ghostigital.
A new gem has appeared on Njálsgata 14. The new art book-
store and publishing house Útúrdúr continues to attract at-
tention despite its square footage and discreet location. Last
Sunday, Útúrdúr sponsored a small party with browsing en-
couraged and music supplied by local idiosyncratic indie
pop collective Benni Hemm Hemm. Útúrdúr stocks a quaint
selection of art books featuring the work of both local and
international artists, a collection that changes from week to
week in a constant effort to supply the freshest and best work
out there. Occupying a total of three rooms plus a back gar-
den, Útúrdúr has a real reading room feel. Books and maga-
zines are neatly strewn around the place, each one begging
to be read. Only a few books are kept out at a time, but once
they are snapped up, they are quickly replaced by new and
exciting material. Útúrdúr is a special little shop with quality
items and a quality setting for them. An exciting new location
in town, just waiting to be explored.
PreSident Bongo from guSguS and the cover of ProJect: iceland
Documenting Icelandic Culture
Airwaves 2008 Útúrdúr
A new book on arts and culture in the nation’s capital
A different kind of book store