Reykjavík Grapevine - 12.08.2016, Page 49

i8 Gallery
Tryggvagata 16
101 Reykjavík
info@i8.is
t: +354 551 3666
www.i8.is
KARIN SANDER
11 August - 24 September 2016
Art Young Artists48The Reykjavík GrapevineIssue 12 — 2016
The Assembly
of the
Hyper boreans
Freyskatla, 1993, raddskúlptúr / voice sculpture, M
agnús Pálsson
Ásta Fanney Sigurðardóttir (IS)
dj. f lugvél og geimskip (IS)
Helgi Örn Pétursson (IS)
Jesper Fabricius (DK)
Luke Fowler (UK)
Magnús Pálsson (IS)
Nora Joung (NO)
Ragnar Kjartansson (IS)
Styrmir Örn Guðmundsson (IS)
The Narrative Collection init iated by
Chris toph Büchel (CH)
Curator Gavin Morrison
Co-curator Ráðhildur Ingadóttir
AN EVENT PROGRAM RUNS ALONGSIDE
THE EXHIBITION, WITH PERFORMANCES
AND A SCREENING.
OPEN DAILY FROM 12-18, WEDNESDAYS
FROM 12-20. GUIDED TOUR FOR GROUPS
CAN BE ARRANGED.
Skaft fell – Center for Visual Art, East Iceland
Austurvegur 42, Seyðisf jörður, www.skaft fell.is
Jun 4.– Sep 18. 2016
EMERGING
Elsa
Kjartansdóttir
Fashion Designer
Words & Photos Hrefna Björg Gylfadóttir
New fashion designer Elsa Kjar-
tansdóttir’s colourful and edgy
patterns make for out-of-this-
world pieces, inspired by the 50s
yet uniquely modern. Elsa recent-
ly returned from an internship in
Paris for the accessories design
label Yazbukey, and is currently
working for Icelandic design label
Scintilla.
When did you start designing?
I was in kindergarten when I
learned there was such a thing as a
fashion designer and immediately
decided I’d become one. I created
dresses draping scarves around
my sister, which she did not love.
I eventually went on to study fash-
ion design at the Icelandic Acad-
emy of Arts. That was where it all
started.
What inspires you?
I find inspiration all over the
place. There are however some
genres that have become my per-
sonal favourites, such as Soviet
graphic designers, Bauhaus, flo-
rals, tiki, 50s erotica and fashion-
able older women. I believe the last
two are connected.
What is your creative process?
I’m keen on specialising in print
design, and am therefore con-
stantly on the lookout for shapes. I
usually look at pictures online, or
in books, and once I find a picture
that really sparks my interest, I
cut it down into pieces. I study
the mood, shapes and patterns,
and once my mind is totally con-
sumed in the pattern, I sketch an
idea from it, edit the sketch and
develop the idea even further.
What is your favorite piece of
clothing by another designer?
I love my Swarovski studded star-
fish earrings from Yazbukey. I
interned at the Yazbukey brand
in Paris earlier this year and still
really miss the Yazettes. Another
favourite is my gigantic scarf
from Scintilla, an Icelandic de-
sign company I currently work for.
I also own a blazer that is over 50
years old, handed down to me by
my grandmother—a style icon. I
also love Sigga Maija’s pieces, her
prints are bold and beautiful.
What do you wish to achieve
through your designs?
I’m interested in the slow fashion
movement. I want the aesthetics
of my designs to be inviting, and
I would love to design for different
kinds of people of all ages, shapes
and sizes.
Future plans?
To gain more experience! And
hopefully to get a job abroad in
the next year. I am also constantly
fantasizing about a sustainable,
ethical, multi-size brand.
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