Atlantica - 01.09.2007, Page 61

Grímsey´s harbor.
“Of course I’m eccentric,” says Jón Kr.
Ólafsson, founder of the Melodies of
the Memories museum in the town of Bíldu-
dalur, Arnarfjördur. “It’s much better to stand
slightly out than to be one of those run-of-the-
mill people.” Translation: he founded a pop
music museum in a village of 183 people and, yes, even he agrees
it’s a little odd.
Located in Ólafsson’s 80-square-meter basement, the museum
contains memorabilia from Iceland’s rock and roll heyday. The
walls are covered with gold and platinum records of many of the
nation’s favorite stars, as well as some of their colorful costumes.
The pearl-covered jacket of Hallbjörg Bjarnadóttir, Iceland’s first
female jazz singer, is particularly noteworthy.
Ólafsson is actually a living relic himself. He is the former front-
man of one-hit-wonder Facon, which caused a sensation in Iceland
in 1969 with the single Ég er frjáls (I Am Free). Later he performed
with many of the stars to which his museum now pays homage.
This veteran pop icon will therefore happily guide you through
his museum—and if you’re lucky he might even give you his
autograph.
Rock Out
Located in the desolate valley of Selárdalur
in Arnarfjördur, the sculptures of Samúel
Jónsson are possibly the weirdest you’ll ever
see. Their naive and whimsical nature adds a
bewitching character to the place. After Jóns-
son’s death his collection of works, including
sculptures of Leifur Eiríksson gazing towards America and a swan
carrying two of its offspring, was neglected for years. However, an
effort to preserve them has been launched.
Dubbed the “artist with the child’s heart,” Jónsson’s sculptures
and houses are so clumsy in appearance that one can’t help smil-
ing upon seeing them. His replica of the Fountain of the Lions in
the Moorish palace of Alhambra in Granada, Spain, with its bright
colors and playful features, is a highlight, as is the slightly lopsided
church he built when his neighbors refused to display his altar
painting in the local church. Their loss, our gain.
Child’s Play
iceland amuseums of the west fjords