Reykjavík Grapevine - mar. 2019, Blaðsíða 6

Design, both consciously and subcon-
sciously, penetrates our minds. Good
design augments innate appreciation of
an object, while bad design can easily
become an annoying vexation. The Grape-
vine’s annual Design Awards seek to rec-
ognise and reward the best of Icelandic
design—the little details that make the
small things sweeter. Our painstakingly-
picked panel carefully combed through
this year’s standouts to select a number
of extremely worthy winners, runner-ups,
and those we are excited to see more from.
All are uniquely spectacular and deserve to
be celebrated. So, without further fanfare,
we present The 2019 Reykjavík Grapevine
Design Awards.
Product Of The Year
WINNER:
Mínútustjakar
BY FLÉTTA DESIGN STUDIO
With Mínútustjakar, Flétta Design Studio blurred
the boundaries between hand-made and mass
produced by creating a series of candlesticks,
each made in one minute by the designers them-
selves. In bright colours, the very texture of these
chunky three prong candelabras reveal the quick
and unusual nature of their production. No two
are exactly alike. Instead, each is riddled with its
own distinct fingerprints and impresses—proof
of their physical creation by real designers. The
panel praised the playfulness of the product and
also its insightful critique on modern industrial
society, calling it, “unique and cost-effective,”
and, “bullseye when it comes to what people
will pay for things.” In a country without a sub-
stantial home market or access to proper tool-
ing, Flétta’s alternative method of production is
provocative. “Making things by hand, fast, is a
winning combination,” they agreed. Flétta Design
Studio is composed of product designers Birta
Rós Brynjólfsdóttir and Hrefna Sigurðardóttir.
RUNNER-UP:
First Lady
BY LADY BREWERY
Ragnheiður “Raxel” Axel and Þórey Björk Hall-
dórs dótt ir’s signature IPA is a delicious blend of
fresh citrus and mellow floral notes all in a heady,
hoppy brew. The panel praised the taste of their
beers and also the fresh and sophisticated
packing they come in. Inspired by “beer witch-
es”—medieval female brewers who eventually
became the archetypal witches (a very interest-
ing thing to research one a rainy day)—the brew-
ery’s designs and logo are strongly feminine,
referencing the historic legacy of women in the
beer making world. “Two female fashion design-
ers start making beer that both looks and tastes
great?” one panel member posited. “What is not
to love about this?”
LOOKING FORWARD TO:
Gagn
A small family-run business in Sauðárkrókur,
Gagn’s furniture is characterised by craftsman-
ship, elegance, and a deft use of classical ma-
terials. No doubt minimalist in the most Nordic
sense, the brand manages to take the usual
tropes of Nordic design, play with them, and turn
them into something wholly unexpected. While
their elegant flower stands initially grabbed
attention, their sturdy but delicate desk and
shelves have since shown the brand has some-
thing to say. “It’s so refreshing to see local design
in furniture again,” the panel determined, calling
Gagn one of Iceland’s most promising furniture
design companies. All are heavily anticipating
Gagn’s next move. “There is more to come!” one
exclaimed.

Project Of The Year
WINNER:
Catch Of The Day
BY BJÖRN STEINAR
“Getting drunk and saving the environment at the
same time? Give this kid a Nobel Prize!” one panel
member said of Björn Steinar’s spirit ‘Catch Of
The Day.’ It’s a liquor, made in collaboration with
local food importers, that exclusively uses left-
over and discarded fruits. This, as Björn explains
on the bottle, prolongs the ‘best before’ date into
infinity, since alcohol over 23% can never go bad.
The panel praised how the project tackles the is-
sues of our time in an innovative way using design
as its tool. “To raise awareness of such a serious
problem in such a fun and pragmatic way is both
inspiring and uplifting,” the panel agreed. “It’s a
brilliant way to reduce food waste.” One mem-
ber was more blunt, “Make way: Björn Steinar
has created the win/win/win situation. Cheers!”
RUNNER-UP:
Nordic Angan
BY SONJA BENT AND ELÍN HRUND
Nordic Angan is a fragrance library for Icelandic
herbs. Created by Sonja Bent and Elín Hrund, who
spend time travelling into the Icelandic wilder-
ness to pick herbs, wildflowers, plants, bark, and
tree trimmings, which they then make essential
oils and extract fragrance from, our panel calls
the project, “a romantic yet practical way for
people to connect with nature.” Each essential
oil, upon first sniff, is a melange of Icelandic na-
ture, creating a visceral pathway into the depths
of the countryside. “Beautiful, ambitious, and
full of wonderful aroma,” the panel concluded.
“What’s not to like here?”
LOOKING FORWARD TO:
Non Flowers
BY THOMAS PAUSZ
In collaboration with the National Centre for
Biological Sciences in Bangalore, India, Thomas
Pausz created a new type of pollen carrier, which
seeks to improve the interspecies relationship
between bees and flowers to spur on future food
production. Visually somewhere between a syn-
thetic flower and piece of coral, the feeders are
based on fractal geometries, which gives them
a ridged and bulbous appearance. The panel
called it, “a fascinating and complicated task,
but one that is vital for our survival.” They also
praised how Thomas intertwined design with sci-
ence in his project. “And to do it with style, also,”
one panel member said. “Well, it can’t hurt!”
Product Line Of The Year
WINNER:
Fischer
Treading the line between gallery and shop,
Fischer—which only last month won the ‘Best
Goddamn Store’ category at the Grapevine’s 2019
Best Of Reykjavík awards—has created a new
type of boutique in Reykjavík. From art openings,
to a curated perfume selection, to sustainable
bath products, it serves up a sensory, highly
aesthetic shopping adventure, one where the
goal isn’t necessarily to have the consumer buy
something, but rather to trigger their senses.
One panel member referred to it as, “a tightly wo-
ven universe that refers to Iceland’s nature and
past, but is still very relevant in our lives today.”
Another called it, “a world to visit–with beautiful,
conscious and environmentally friendly prod-
ucts.” The last said but this, “Art, installations,
products? Fischer makes us feel good in so many
different ways. Takk!” Without a doubt, the future
looks bright for Fischer.
RUNNER-UP:
Another
Dialogue
BY HANNA DÍS WHITEHEAD
“An experimental and curious approach to ev-
eryday objects,” the panel said about Hannah
Dís Whitehead’s ‘Another Dialogue,’ which pres-
ents an enthralling take on household objects.
“It’s witty and refined at the same time.” Thick,
utilitarian handles took centre stage in the line,
becoming an emblematic figure of the role and
utility of a household product. Handles are, of
course, an indicator of functionality and disclose
just what an object is used for. It’s therefore
striking to reevaluate them in these unusual cir-
cumstances. “These are interesting objects that
stand out and stay in your memory once you have
seen them,” one panel member said.
The
Reykjavík
Grapevine
Design Awards
Words: Hannah Jane Cohen
Catch Of The Day