Iceland review - 2016, Síða 61

ICELAND REVIEW 59
had designed all the buildings. Nothing
could change, we would have arrived at
something final. It would be like being
frozen in time. Like Reykjavík, cities
survive bad architecture and they thrive
on average architecture. So long as we
have the occasional stroke of brilliance to
remind us of what we can aspire to, we’re
fine. What makes cities like Reykjavík
lively is that they are heading some-
where; we are trying out new things, see-
ing what works, and that changes as the
times change. We aspire to perfection,
we just don’t necessarily want to reach it.
That would be boring.
So what really is the curse of the beau-
tiful city? For one thing, Florence would
never inspire a punk anthem by a band
called Vonbrigði (‘Disappointment’):
Oh Reykjavík (translated):
Oh Reykjavík, Oh Reykjavík,
you gorgeous city
With fat men, fancy ladies,
clean and pretty squares,
Reykjavík, Reykjavík,
Reykjavík, Reykjavík
Reykjavík, Reykjavík,
Reykjavík, Reykjavík
I’ll spare you the rest from these mas-
ters of subtle irony, but if you had
seen ‘Disappointment’ at the legendary
Rock in Reykjavík concert in 1982, you
would have a feeling for the energy that
Reykjavík possesses on a good day. *
Halldór Lárusson is an
entrepreneur. He has degrees in
economics, philosophy and
history of science.
The colors of old Reykjavík.