Iceland review - 2015, Síða 45

ICELAND REVIEW 43
The valley also houses Skautahöllin,
Reykjavík’s premier skating rink. This facil-
ity, which is open most days for public use,
frequently plays host to international hockey
tournaments, such as the Scandinavian Cup;
as well as figure skating competitions for the
biennial Reykjavík International Games.
AN ARTIST’S VISION
The idea of converting Laugardalur into a
recreational area originated from Icelandic
artist Sigurður Guðmundsson in 1871.
Sigurður, who was then a prominent figure
in Iceland, asserted that the valley’s lush,
fertile soil and idyllic landscapes made it the
perfect location for sporting facilities, as well
as public spaces for leisure and relaxation.
His plans, though well-received, were put
on hold for decades, but in 1943 a political
breakthrough occurred and his vision was
eventually realized.
Another artist was also to make his mark
on the valley. Sculptor Ásmundur Sveinsson
built his white dome of a studio there
mid-last century, which in 1983 opened as
Ásmundarsafn museum, dedicated to his life
and work.
RECREATION
British singer-songwriter FKA Twigs,
one of the highlights at the 2015
Secret Solstice music festival
in Laugardalur.