Reykjavík Grapevine - 12.09.2008, Blaðsíða 30

30 | REYKJAVÍK GRAPEVINE | ISSUE 14—2008
ToP
ToP
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MonUMEnTS in iCEland
JoBS For lárUS JÓHannESSon
PlaCES To dinE a JoUrnaliST
THE lIST BY FLoRIAn ZüHLKe — pHoToS BY gAS
ÞOTuHREIðuR
This one is just beautiful, like a bird coming from an egg. And it is on this very
appropriate place at Keflavík airport, where it represents the wish of every
islander to get away. I can really feel it, when I look at þotuhreiður.
STúlKA
This one is the very small statue of a girl, sitting on her knees in a flowerbed
in front of my school in Reykjavík. I like it, because it is an interactive statue
due to its height. When we were around she was always holding cigarettes,
flowers, or Coke-bottles or beer.
THE GIANT PHONE IN HAfNARfjöRðuR
When I was a kid and on a trip to Hafnarfjörður, I saw a giant phone, which
I found hilarious. I do not know what its called, who had made it or even
whether it is still there, but I still keep a photo of me sitting on it.
ÓÞEKKTI EMBæTTISMAðuRINN
“The Unknown Official“ is a great statue! It is humorous and sarcastic. It
represents the unknown warrior, respectively as an official, because there
are no warriors any more. There must be many officials walking by it every
morning because it is so close to the parliament.
BERlíNARBjöRNINN
The “Berlin Bear” is in front of the German embassy, which is also close to
my old school. It has the distance to Berlin in kilometers written on it. I like
the thought of walking around in Reykjavík and thinking of Berlin.
Kristín Svava Tómasdóttir studies histo-
ry at the University of Iceland and works
at the Þjóðarbókhlaðan, the University
Library. But, first and foremost, she is a
young poet who is leading the way into
a bright future for contemporary Icelan-
dic poetry. She has been a member of
the local poetry scene and Reykjavík's
publishing circle Nýhil for years, and
has participated in in Nýhil's annual In-
ternational Poetry Festival since the be-
ginning. Kristín had her breakthrough
when a publisher approached her after
a reading at the festival. This is how she
finally came to publish her first collec-
tion of lyrical works in 2007, Blóðgælur,
a self-acclaimed “Best-of” collection.
“For me the book was not that huge a
step. I have been doing this for many
years, and I never really had the urge to
publish a book myself. But perhaps that
is also a flaw of mine, sometimes I am
not very ambitious.”
Lárus Jóhannesson was born in Reyk-
javík. He has enjoyed a diverse and
fulfilling career which has seen him
involved in the many different fields.
He is a founding partner of the record
shop 12 Tónar in the center of Reyk-
javík, together with his friend Jóhannes
Ágústsson in 1998. Five years later they
expanded the business releasing the
album “Krákan,” by popular Faroese
folk singer Eivør Pálsdóttir and thereby
founded the record label 12 Tónar Re-
cords. This label has become one of
the most important local independent
record labels not least due to their
musical variety from Classic to Punk.
Today, 12 Tónar is an international en-
terprise with worldwide releases, with
offices in Reykjavík and Copenhagen.
A recent addition to the enterprise is
a webstore where you can buy their
music in digital form from around the
globe. We asked Lárus to name five of
his favorite jobs through the years.
Anna Hildur Hildibrandsdóttir is man-
aging director of the increasingly sig-
nificant Iceland Music Export office,
IMX, founded in 2007. On a shoestring
budget, Hildibrandsdóttir has managed
to create a vibrant and effective export
agency that is the envy of others, and a
positive force in the advent and promo-
tion of Icelandic music abroad. Come
October, IMX is holding an interna-
tional conference dealing with new
and exciting ways of mediating culture
that features high profile panelists such
as Hype Machine’s Anthony Volodkin,
Pitchforkmedia’s Amy Phillips and one
of the brains behind Radiohead’s re-
cent “In Rainbows” giveaway, Jane Dy-
ball. Due to her job, Hildibrandsdóttir
often escorts foreign members of the
press around Reykjavík. Here are her
picks for dining a journalist in Reyk-
javík:
WORKING AT 12 TÓNAR
This job is great, because it is so diverse: You have to do everything from clean-
ing the toilet to being part of great music happening. On the label side of my job I
work with many artists from Punk to Classic, which is very interesting.
BEING A CONTRACTOR
When I was studying and for a short time after that I was working as a foreman in
the construction business. In the summer time it is fantastic to work outside and
you start early, so it is very healthy. But when you grow older, it gets harder.
BEING A CORRESPONDENT fOR MORGuNBlAðIð
In the 90s I was a correspondent in Russia for Morgunblaðið newspaper. It was
very interesting to be there. I got to travel the country a lot on a journalist visa. My
love-hate relationship for this country lasts until today, so this was a cool job.
CHESS COluMNIST fOR ÞjÓðVIljINN
When I was 19 I did a weekly chess column for Þjóðviljinn newspaper. I took over
from the Icelandic chess grandmaster Helgi Ólafson, who was the best chess
columnist in the country. People would buy the paper just to read his column!
But I think this stopped when I started.
CHESS TRAINER
I started to play chess seriously when I was a teenager and even travelled abroad
for tournaments. Later I started to teach chess at schools and together with my
partner Jónas, we held special sessions for really gifted players. Some of them
now are the strongest players in Iceland.
ÞRíR fRAKKAR
Perfect for whale meat, puffin and shark experience, which generates plenty
of discussion topics for an evening out with journalists. The very tiny, very
charming Þrír Frakkar is also an excellent seafood restaurant whose chefs
have character and individualism that makes them unique.
HORNIð
As I am most likely to be rushing off with music journalists to a gig, an early
meal at Hornið never fails. This modest restaurant, which features an inter-
esting blend of Icelandic and Italian cuisine, hasn’t changed for 25 years.
ASKuR
Another great one to visit if you are having a quick but good meal before a
gig in Laugardalshöllin. One of these really old style Icelandic restaurants,
and possibly the first one I experienced as a kid. Generous portions, impres-
sive buffets and moderate prices.
PANORAMA
My latest discovery is this penthouse style restaurant with the most breath-
taking view you can find in Reykjavik. Overlooking the harbour, Esjan and
the new music house, you can rest your vocal cords whilst people take it all
in. The food and service is good.
DOMO
Snorri is not only my favorite Icelandic artist but also my dearest friend. He
is the sanest person that I know. When I’m feeling down about something,
what ever it is, Snorri will be the first one to hear about the problem.
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Lárus Jóhannesson
Kristín Svava
Anna Hildur