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Scandinavian Spirit
The Nordic House is located near the centre of Reykjavík and serves as a Nordic cul-
tural centre. Each year the Nordic House organises an extensive programme of cul-
tural events and exhibitions with the goal of connecting Iceland to the other Nordic
countries.
'Food in Art - Delights of the Eye and the Table' is the name of this year's summer
exhibition at the Nordic House. The topic of culinary culture has, throughout the ages,
given artists inspiration and food for thought. This exhibition shows how food and
mealtimes have been represented through painting, graphic art and other media from
the 16th century onwards.
'Nordic Summer Tones' will also fill the Nordic House this summer. The chamber sex-
tet Camerarctica will hold concerts three Sundays in June and later that month, the
Danish musicians DuoDenum will be performing contemporary works for saxophone
and percussion.
The Nordic House, Sturlugata 5, 101 Reykjavík. www.nordice.is
Face It
To make your own moisturising, face-care mixture, drop by the Blue Lagoon with a
bottle in hand. There you will have to smuggle the bottle through the changing rooms,
whilst pretending not to notice the strange looks you receive from fellow shower com-
panions, dip yourself into the Lagoon and sprint back to your hotel room with the
magical mixture gripped tightly in both hands. Then you will have to spend a few
years in a research laboratory trying to develop a creamy, nutritious moisturising
lotion. OR, you could just try the new Blue Lagoon face-care line, Balance Geothermal
Care. The products are made from the Lagoon’s special healing ingredients and have
been through a ten-year phase of development and testing. The line consists of a
moisturising lotion, cleanser and nourishing cream, and is the first face-care line
made by the Blue Lagoon.
All that is Gold Glitters
Jóhannes Langenbacher, one of the most respected goldsmiths in Switzerland, has
always had one foot and one golden hammer in Iceland. His work will now have a per-
manent home at a new jewellery store, on the art-lined street of Skólavördustígur. The
store is called Mariella, and is run by Jóhanes´s wife, Maria Langenbacher, and Elín
Guðbjartsdóttir, goldsmith.
The jewellery ranges from the very elegant and expensive to the fashionable and
affordable. In the shop window, you will find square rings with swirly whirls, genuine
pearl necklaces, rings with grand stones, and many more both imaginatively
designed and classic items of jewellery. Everything that is gold is no less than 18
karats and the pearls and stones are the genuine article. Each piece of jewellery is spe-
cially designed and handcrafted, mostly by Jóhannes himself. Maria also contributes
to the jewellery collection and is an expert on pearls and stones.
At Mariella, guests are invited to take a seat while the assistant draws out secret doors
and drawers containing the precious pieces of art. That way, everyone receives the
attention they so rightly deserve, and customers get the full low-down on the jew-
ellery on show. If you want to treat yourself to something a bit different and special,
you might as well do it with style.
i-site CARESPIRITGOLD❍
Peter Johansson, How to cook a souvenir, detail 1990-94
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