Atlantica - 01.06.2011, Page 10

8 A t L A n t i c A
Picture Perfect
on the fly
Compiled by Sari Peltonen
RAGNAR AXELSSON: LAST DAYS OF THE ARCTIC
Polar bears, playful children, posing sledge dogs and endless icy deserts—photographer
Ragnar Axelsson’s The Last Days of the Arctic (Crymogea/Polarworld) is a black-and-white
account of life in the ultimate North. Axelsson’s stunning photos, the result of his three-
decade-long fascination with the Arctic, are accompanied by texts by Mark Nuttall, professor
of anthropology at the University of Alberta, Canada, who addresses various aspects of the
Arctic existence, from Inuit history to the impact of climate change. While the photographs
portray Greenland and Canada—so not strictly suited to your island reminiscence—the
photographer Axelsson (known as RAX) is Icelandic, and one of the most celebrated in his
profession. On top of that, The Last Days of the Arctic is simply one of the most beautiful books
made in Iceland in recent years. You might want to leave some space for it in the luggage
though—there are 2.5 kilos’ worth of photos between those covers.
PÁLL STEFANSSON: PS
We may be a bit biased on this one—PS (Forlagid) collects photos from Atlantica’s editor and
staff photographer Páll Stefánsson’s 30-year career. Bias aside, just take a look at the photos
in the magazine you are holding! With beautiful details, striking colors, lines and shapes—
water flowing down a waterfall, a mosaic of cracks in a rock—frost, ice and the Northern
midnight sun, Stefánsson captures the beauty of his native island, up close and personal.
The book also features a short introduction to Iceland as well as an index with a personal
reflection on each of the photos.
P.S. Be warned—this book may cause serious Iceland fever. Forlagid.is
SIGURGEIR SIGURJÓNSSON & UNNUR JÖKULSDÓTTIR:
ICELANDERS
Icelanders (Forlagid) captures Iceland from a different angle. Instead of lonely landscapes,
it introduces the people who live amidst that majesty. With twenty-four stories by Unnur
Jökulsdóttir and wonderful portraits by Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson, Icelanders provides a
glimpse into the national ethos. Meet the sheep farmer, the old fisherman, the rock collector
and the children in their lopapeysa sweaters (urban hipsters and fallen bankers are missing
from the book, which was first published in 2004—is there perhaps time for an update?!) And
don’t worry, the book features more than enough stunning landscapes to fulfill all your scenic
needs too. The book is available in Icelandic, English and French. Forlagid.is
THE BEST PART OF A FLIGHT OVER
THE NORTH ATLANTIC IS ICELAND
STOPOVER IN ICELAND
AT NO ADDITIONAL AIRFARE
31
DESTINATIONS IN EUROPE
AND NORTH AMERICA
When flying across the Atlantic to any of
Icelandair’s destinations, you can stopover
in Iceland for no additional airfare.
Avail yourself of the opportunity to relax in the
Blue Lagoon, admire natural wonders like
glaciers and geysers or just stop for a quick rest
and some fresh air before continuing your flight
over the North Atlantic.
IT’S TRULY TWO DESTINATIONS
FOR THE PRICE OF ONE
Icelandair makes it easy and can build in these
dual visits to your itinerary when planning your
trip.
SEATTLE
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL
HALIFAXBOSTONNEW YORK
TORONTO
ORLANDO
WASHINGTON D.C.
ICELAND
REYKJAVIK
HELSINKI
GOTHENBURG
BILLUND
TRONDHEIM STOCKHOLM
OSLO
BERGEN
STAVANGER COPENHAGEN
BERLIN
HAMBURG
FRANKFURT
AMSTERDAM
MUNICH
MILAN
PARIS
BARCELONA
ALICANTE
MADRID
MANCHESTER
LONDON
BRUSSELS
GLASGOW
Daunted by the walls of photo books packed with otherworldly images of
Iceland? We did the work for you—these are your best bets for
showing the island off to the folks at home… or to
spark up a little nostalgia of your own.