Atlantica - 01.09.2003, Page 38

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…is how Reykjavík artist Jón Audarson describes his latest labour of
love, Nonnabúd. This downtown shop is a low-ceilinged, blue-walled
cavern fixing to sell everything from leather wristbands to cult dairy
favourites.
Dead, Audarson’s own design label, will headline his shop with its col-
lection of “reworked” jackets, hats, silk-screened T-shirts, and plaster
casts of deceased birds. Dead’s effortless blend of street art and hipster
fashion will appeal both to Reykjavík’s own and to visitors looking for
something edgier to bring home than a woolly sweater.
Not that Nonnabúd is shy about carrying traditional Icelandic gear.
Sheep jawbones, long ago the playthings of children in the Icelandic
countryside, will be sold in glass cases as both art and artefact.
Iceland’s nebulous holiday brew – Egill's Malt Extract and Appelsín
orange soda – will be available for the unseasonable craving.
Notably, Nonnabúd will also be the first domestic venue for Icelandic
clothing line Aftur. Bára and Raven Hólmgeirsdætur have been selling
their “before-used textiles” in London, Paris, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, and,
after dressing Björk and gusgus songstress Urdur, have finally decided
to give Reykjavík a chance. Why now? Because Nonnabúd is “a tiny
shop, and it’s young and happening”, designer Bára explains. “It’s not
good for our clothes to be hanging in a shop with Diesel.”
No chance of that. KLM
Nonnabúd (Nonni’s Shop)
Laugavegur 11, 101 Reykjavík
Tel. (+354) 551-6811
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i-site❍
36 A T L A N T I C A36 A T L A N T I C A SHOPPING
“NICE THINGS FOR YOUR HEART…”
FINE THINGS
NONNABÚD
BÚDIN
Empty spaces are a challenge, at least according to friends Sigrún
Hrólfsdóttir, Elín Hansdóttir and Ragnheidur Pálsdóttir, who found a
charming pre-war-style shop on central Laugavegur. A former women’s
dress shop, it came complete with wonderful wooden counters, glass dis-
play shelves and antique mirrors.
“There’s always something sad about empty spaces, and we were horri-
fied at the prospect of a minimalist turning up and clearing out the décor
in this place,“ says Hrólfsdóttir, who also forms part of artistic trio
The Icelandic Love Corporation.
So, they went to thinking about what they could do with the premises. The
result was to create a lieu where designers could promote their products.
“There’s no fixed line of products. We look to the individual and want to
keep things varied and creative.” And that’s exactly what Búdin (The
Shop) is about, putting creativity into the open. “There are a lot of creative
forces around us at the moment. We needed a way to channel it.“ Anyone
can turn up at Búdin and bring in their creations. “We’re like a small
greenhouse. We take small things in and nurture them. And besides, it’s
really warm and cosy in here.“ A web site is currently being set up, intro-
ducing the designers. “People have walked in here and said, ‘Yes, exact-
ly,’ and then gone home to make the things themselves.“ Perhaps not a
very business-like move, but nonetheless, original. “We want to create a
whole atmosphere around Búdin; to make it into a lively community cen-
tre.“ AMB
Búdin, Laugavegur 12 a, 101 Reykjavík, tel. (+354) 690-6225.
Open Mon – Fri 12 to 18, Saturday 12 to 16. www.this.is-budin
✤
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