Reykjavík Grapevine - 05.05.2017, Qupperneq 41

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A Bard’s Bordello
Reykjavík’s first “poetry brothel” opens its doors

Words: Joanna Smith Photo: Rachael Saltzman
The term “Poetry Broth-
el” is somewhat oxy-
moronic. Poetry is, of
course, the age-old art
of manipulating lan-
guage to express one’s
innermost emotions
and desires. A brothel,
on the other hand, is a
place associated with
debauchery, deviancy,
and often times, cruelty.
The two words just
don’t seem to fit togeth-
er. The Poetry Society of
New York, however, thought other-
wise. They set up the very first “Po-
etry Brothel,” an immersive event
set against various backdrops,
from the fin-de-siècle Parisian
bordello to the Prohibition-era
speakeasy. Instead of prostitutes,
there are “poetry whores” who
will indulge you in an intimate
sonnet, all while jazz plays and
burlesque dancers entertain. It’s
always glamorous, it’s always fun.
The Poetry Brothel branched
out from New York, setting up resi-
dence in LA, New Orleans, London,
Paris, Barcelona and elsewhere.
“Madame” Meg Matich, who has
been involved with The Poetry
Brothel since its infancy, decided
to set up a new branch right here in
Reykjavík, after moving to Iceland.
“The idea originally was to re-
claim the function of sex work and
reinterpret the intimacy behind
it,” Meg explains. “But we are not
using the terms ‘broth-
el’ and ‘whore’ this time.
I spoke to many of my
Icelandic friends who
thought it was just too
crass. It has a different
meaning to it, a differ-
ent subtext. I felt that
appropriating the term
‘whore’ would be an up-
hill struggle here. Peo-
ple just don’t respond
in the same way.” In-
stead, the event is called
“Rauða skáldahúsið”
meaning “Red Poetry House.”
It’s still a nod to the red light
district, but far subtler in tone.

The art of escapism
I think part of the appeal of this
immersion into a different world,
especially one that has undertones
of illegality and subversion, is the
freeing effect it has. When we see
depictions of the roaring twen-
ties, for example, there is a sense
of revolution, of progress which is
hugely appealing to a society that
can often feel stagnant and some-
what unexciting in comparison.
For Meg, though, the appeal is
the escapism itself. “It’s an oppor-
tunity for people to dress up and
play pretend as adults,” she says.
“It gives them the permission to
be carefree, to be someone else for
the night. In Iceland, especially,
people really seem to be drawn to
the idea of blending art forms—
poetry, music, dance. Also,” she
laughs, “I just love the glitz of it all.”
One of the most intriguing ad-
ditions to Rauða skáldahúsið is
that of a tarot card reader. “She’s a
practising witch,” says Meg. “Even
if you don’t believe in the magic
or power behind it, it’s sort of like
therapy. She reads your cards but
also talks to you about your life and
your experiences. It makes you feel
vulnerable, but also empowered
by that vulnerability, which is the
point of the entire event really.”

Pure decadence
The event is being held at Iðnó, one
of the oldest cultural centres in Ice-
land. “The venue is beautiful,” says
Meg. “It has tall ceilings, and it’s
decadent and ornate. We’re going
to decorate it with red velvet and
beads and flowers everywhere.”
From the venue, to the en-
tertainment, to the costumes,
it’s sure to be a night to remem-
ber. Meg, your Madame for the
evening, invites you to dress
for the occasion and get lost in
the romanticism, the extrava-
gance and, of course, the poetry.
Info: Iðnó, May 18, 20:00
Tickets are ISK 3,000 via midi.is.
SHARE: gpv.is/pb07
“It makes
you feel
vulner-
able, but
also em-
powered
by that
vulnerabil-
ity.”
Meet Madame Meg Matich.
It'll be intimate as heck.
VISIT KÓPAVOGUR
CULTURE HOUSES
AND EXPERIENCE
NATURAL
HISTORY
MUSEUM
& ART MUSEUM
& PUBLIC LIBRARY
& CONCERT
HALL
& THERMAL
POOL
& MORE
Gerðarsafn Kópavogur Art Museum
Salurinn Concert Hall
Náttúrufræðistofa Kópavogs Natural History Museum of Kópavogur
Bókasafn Kópavogs Kópavogur Public Library
Sundlaug Kópavogs Kopavogur Thermal Pool
Kópavogskirkja Kopavogur Church
Hamraborg 4–6
Kópavogur
Bus 1, 2 & 4
Open 11:30-22:00
saegreif inn. is
Geirsgata 8 • 101 Reykjavík • Tel. 553 1500 • seabaron8@gmail.com
An absolute
must-try!
Saegreifinn restaurant (Sea Baron) is like none other
in Iceland; a world famous lobster soup and a diverse
fish selection.
i8 Gallery
Tryggvagata 16
101 Reykjavík
info@i8.is
t: +354 551 3666
www.i8.is
HILDIGUNNUR
BIRGISDÓTTIR
27 April - 10 June 2017
a) b) c) d) e) & f )