Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.07.2016, Qupperneq 70

LÓABORATORIUM
Don't Ask
Nanna About
Icelandic
Names
By NANNA DÍS ÁRNADÓTTIR
Hey Nanna,
I have a coworker who’s been calling me Pungur as a nick-
name—he means it as a term of endearment but I’ll be honest
with you it annoys the shit out of me. Also—it’s kind of of-
fensive.
Pungur
Hey Pungur,
Well clearly what he should have been calling you all this
time is Píka because you’re nothing but a wimped out puss.
You are the product of our rampantly sensitive, grossly
politically correct society.
When I was a young man growing up in 40’s we dealt with
our problems with our knuckles like real men—now every-
one’s using catchphrases like Toxic Masculinity and ex-
pecting me to understand what that means but I’m deeply
fearful of change that threatens my white male privilege.
Are you one of those male feminists? I bet you are. You
don’t deserve to be called Pungur, which is a MAN’S word,
for MEN.
Nanna
Hey Nanna,
I have a sneaking suspicion that the Icelandic Naming Com-
mittee will reject the name my partner and I picked out for our
daughter—Arya. I can’t find it on the name register, but I’m
not Icelandic, only my partner is—should I have to adhere to
these rules just because she’ll be born here?!
Bun In The Oven
Hey Bun In The Oven,
A girl has no name.
Nanna
MORE NANNA: gpv.is/NANNA
DON'T ASK NANNA MONSTER OF
THE MONTH
The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 9 — 2016
70
Although the Prose Edda refers to
dwarfs as being a kind of elf race, a
clear distinction is made in folklore.
Dwarfs appear in numerous adven-
tures and chivalric tales. They are
excellent craftsmen, dependable and
loyal to their friends but extremely
vengeful if crossed. Great benefits can
be reaped from their friendship. They
are mainly distinguished from true
elves by their shape and build. They
have very short legs, a bulky body, no
beard and a large head. They seem to
manifest themselves as either human
figures or spirits, and they always
dwell in rocks. They don’t have the
physical strength of elves, humans or
trolls but compensate with their wis-
dom and craftsmanship. They avoid
humans, and men must earn their
friendship with gifts or persistence.
Dvergur Dwarf
"Monster of the Month" is a spin off of 'The Museum of Hidden Beings', by
artist Arngrímur Sigurðsson. He delved into Iceland´s mythological history,
taking creature encounters from across the centuries and bringing them to
life through painting in an act of creative cryptozoology. Find the book at
bookstores, or order it online at arngrimur.com.
DON'T ASK
NANNA
There are few tales of dwarfs told in
Iceland, so they must be few in num-
ber compared to other kinds, such as
elves and trolls.
In the early morning hours on June 28, just after Iceland's victory over England in the Euro Cup, immigration authorities
dragged two asylum from a church in order to deport them.
TVEIR HRAFNAR listhús, Art Gallery
Baldursgata 12 101 Reykjavík (at the corner of Baldursgata and Nönnugata, facing Þrír Frakkar Restaurant)
Phone: +354 552 8822 +354 863 6860 +354 863 6885 art@tveirhrafnar.is www.tveirhrafnar.is
Opening hours: Thu-Fri 12pm - 5pm, Sat 1pm - 4pm and by appointment +354 863 6860
TVEIR HRAFNAR
listhús, Art Gallery
offers a range of artwork by
contemporary Icelandic artists
represented by the gallery, se-
lected works by acclaimed artists
and past Icelandic masters.
Represented artists:
GUÐBJÖRG LIND JÓNSDÓTTIR
HALLGRÍMUR HELGASON
HÚBERT NÓI JÓHANNESSON
JÓN ÓSKAR
ÓLI G. JÓHANNSSON
STEINUNN THÓRARINSDÓTTIR
Also works by:
HADDA FJÓLA REYKDAL
HULDA HÁKON
NÍNA TRYGGVADÓTTIR
KRISTJÁN DAVÍÐSSON
– among others
“Awesome experience”