"Glóð" by Sigur Ros

From the new Sigur Ros release "ATTA," this is a song called "Glóð." The band have enlisted ten guest film directors to direct an accompanying video for each track from the album, and this one by Icelandic director and writer Rúnar Rúnarsson speaks to a sense of ancient myths and cultures. And of course the music is haunting and otherworldly...

https://sigurros.com/

"Obsidian" by Jónsi

Breathtaking new album by Jónsi called "Obsidian." It is majestic, visceral, ethereal, grinding, transcendent. Of course.

https://jonsi.com/

 
This release coincides with an exhibit of Jónsi's art work, also titled "Obsidian" and on view only through December 17, 2021 at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery in New York City.

After lying dormant for nearly eight hundred years, the recent eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland serves as the inspiration for the exhibition. Unable to travel to his homeland and experience the rare phenomenon, Jónsi instead conjures the majestic life force within the gallery space through two new sound installations and a series of sculptural works, each presenting a sensorial proposition.

Interdisciplinary artist and musician Jónsi grounds his visual practice in material and metaphysical experimentations with sound, often through the engineering of immersive installations that reconfigure the act of listening by means of sight, smell, taste, and touch. Known for synthesizing compositions that are at once ethereal and electrifying, Jónsi employs a tonal palette ranging from ambient sounds, mechanically generated frequencies, samples from nature, as well as his own voice in boundlessly innovative sonic arrangements. Using a perfume organ to develop new and invigorating scents, Jónsi infuses his works with earthy, atmospheric fragrances that are subtle and frequently overlooked. In concert, these seemingly invisible forces redouble on their emotive strengths, leaving the viewer anchored through corporeal engagement while simultaneously transported via their cognitive imaginary.

On the ground floor, visitors enter a darkened room, dimly lit to reveal a central plinth encircled by over two hundred speakers. Inspired by performances of Icelandic choir groups, Jónsi writes his own choral hymn in four parts. Primal in nature and devoid of identifiable lyrics, his piercing voice strikes an array of emotional chords, echoing and reverberating throughout the multi-channel installation. Soundscapes of gritty rocks and searing lava are coupled with smoky, tar-like aromas of fossilized amber, the only essential oil in existence that is mined (as opposed to harvested). Enveloped within this perceptual framework, the audience finds themselves negotiating through an uncanny, bordering on spiritual experience inside the cavernous belly of a volcano.

In the upstairs galleries, sculptural works composed of resin and obsidian glass engage in dialogue at opposite ends of one room. Crackling sounds intermingle with the smell of burnt birch trees, signaling destructive volcanic forces that ultimately have generative ends. Crafted from hand-carved obsidian blades and a cross-sectioned tree, these sculptures embody healing energies that stimulate growth and regeneration.

Another sound installation ensues from a convex armature that is affixed with flower-shaped metallic discs. Equipped with LEDs, the structure pulsates with light in short bursts, blinking slowly at first before swelling into rapid-fire successions, eventually forcing the viewer to close their eyes. A nod to Brion Gysin’s 1960s Dream Machine, Jónsi’s flashing lights similarly produce trance-like, hallucinatory effects. Here, the artist infuses the space with the scent of ozone known to engage photoreceptors inside the brain, further activating the mind’s third eye.

In an environment where the visual has traditionally taken precedence, Jónsi’s propositions of alternative forms of seeing meditate on the body’s relationship with its immediate surroundings. While it is tempting to focus solely on the formal qualities of acoustic hardware, surface properties, or architectural scale, these elements merely access the true works at hand, namely an alchemical mix of imagery, sensations, and emotions borne within the mind-body of his viewers.

Jónsi initially gained international recognition as the lead vocalist for the Icelandic experimental rock band Sigur Rós, whose unique sounds have been equated with the sublime. Jónsi’s unequivocal vocal and instrumental approach have expanded the boundaries of musical genres, rendering him one of the leading musical artists of our time.

Launching in conjunction with the exhibition is Obsidian, Jónsi’s third solo musical album that likewise centers on the Icelandic natural wonder. Recorded and produced in tandem with the works on view, the parallel formats inform one another and interweave through their embodiment of volcanic energies. Over the course of ten tracks, each with evocative titles referencing sights, textures, and aromas of the ashen terrain, Jónsi takes his listeners through narrative arcs between erupting flares. Through an instinctual sensibility for layering vocals over orchestral passages, Jónsi masterfully collapses the boundaries between the senses. Velvety, musky notes of amber translate through deep, sustained progressions of the double bass. Similarly, sharp, tapered edges of obsidian glass register through piercing and frenetic digital bursts. And finally, in the manner of falling ashes, sounds of rushing winds and water cascade steadily over listeners, signaling a return to serenity, stillness, and recovery.

OBSIDIAN, 2020
Obsidian, burned Brazilian walnut, resin, scent, steel
36 x 36 x38 inches

https://www.tanyabonakdargallery.com/exhibitions/614-jonsi-obsidian-tanya-bonakdar-gallery-new-york/

"Simple Tuesday" by GusGus

Ah, my beloved GusGus.
It's a "Simple Tuesday" today.

https://www.gusgus.com/

"Stay The Ride" by GusGus

YEEEEEEEEEEES! Steep me in the electronic sound of this new song, "Stay The Ride" by GusGus from their forthcoming release "Mobile Home." Daníel looks gorgeous as usual, Biggi's work is beautifully minimalistic, and they have introduced a new member, Margrét Rán of Icelandic indie-pop band VÖK; her tone and texture are beautiful additions to the GusGus sound. And their costumes are a collaboration with fashion brand Palomo Spain (Alejandro Gómez Palomo), previously here.

https://www.gusgus.com/

Life by Dagsson

Blink of an eye...

https://dagsson.com/

"One day you're seventeen and planning for someday, and then quietly, without you ever really noticing, someday is today, and that someday is yesterday and this is your life."
--Mark Schwahn, "One Tree Hill"

"ekki hugsa" by Ólafur Arnalds

Icelandic composer and musician Ólafur Arnalds created this glorious track, "ekki hugsa." He says, "'ekki hugsa' means 'don’t think' and it's about letting go in order to express yourself creatively."

Sometimes the concept of movement boggles my mind. Not dance. Movement. Like "walking meditation"--your neurons firing, directing your flesh, your blood, your atoms to move through space, through oxygen, through other atoms, and that you can feel it all, the swing, the yaw...

http://olafurarnalds.com/

"Crash" by Högni

What a fascinating track: "Crash" by Icelandic singer-songwriter Högni (he was in my beloved Gus Gus for a while). It's by turns a bit abstract post-rock, a bit chamber music, a bit electronic...

...and it doesn't hurt that he's so gorgeous, with that beautiful blond mane and his frozen beard.

https://www.erasedtapes.com/artist/hogni
https://www.facebook.com/HogniEgilssonMusic/

"The North Awakens"

Photographer/fine artists Jonathan Besler, Florian Gampert, and Kevin May used drone cameras to make "The North Awakens,"a video of the gorgeous, surreal, sweeping landscapes of Iceland. Enjoy!

https://jonathanbesler-shop.fineartprint.de/
https://www.instagram.com/fgampert/
https://www.instagram.com/may.kevin/

"I Know You Know" by Ásgeir

I have a thing for Iceland and things Icelandic. And this song, "I Know You Know" by Icelandic singer-songwriter Ásgeir strikes me just right. Pop music but with just enough odd, doodle-y edges to make it veer off the rails.

Oh, how I need you now
Want you beside me
Oh how I need you!
Alone with a heavy heart
Why can't you see me?
Feeling my luck wear thin

Drive away with me
Straight into the rain
Never coming back again
See the rivers flow
Heading for the ocean
I know that's where we belong

Meet me up in the light
Now that it's calling
Sing to a quiet stream
Oh, how I long for light
A light that won't leave me
Never to go away

(And I know you know)
Let the ocean bathe me...

I know there's a love star
Shining down on the old house
Nowhere near the tried lines
I know where the keys are
The keys to the old house
Nowhere near the guidelines

And I know you know
See the rivers flow
And I know you know
(And I know you know)
Let the ocean bathe me
And I know you know
See the rivers flow

https://www.asgeirmusic.com/

"Featherlight" by GusGus

Brand new from one of my favorite electronic bands, GusGus: "Featherlight."
Intense yet ethereal, like all of their music.

"Through the light, light as a feather, you come down. Like a snowflake, spiraling down - featherlight."

https://www.gusgus.com/

"Airwaves" by Gus Gus

I have been a huge fan of Icelandic dance music/film/art collective Gus Gus (previously here, here, and here) since 1999, when I discovered their seminal release "This Is Normal." I adore their highly original, marvelously textured electronic sound.

And regular readers might recall my obsession with gorgeous, hunky band member Stephan Stephensen, previously here and here.

Here we have equally sexy lead singer, Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson, he of the most transcendent and impossibly smooth and sultry voice, singing "Airwaves" from their last release "Mexico."

http://www.gusgus.com/

"Waterfall" by Vök

This one has worked its way into me: "Waterfall" by Icelandic dream-pop trio Vök.

https://www.facebook.com/Vokband

BEAUTY: Interiors--Hotels

Highlights from some amazing design projects in the world of hospitality, via Interior Design.

Copper light pendants by Tom Dixon mingle with copper pots at 5-Cinco, the Paco Perez restaurant located in the Hotel Stue in Berlin.

Arch modern elements at the Room Mate Pau Hotel in Barcelona, designed by Teresa Sapey:

The bar with a constellation of colorful lanterns and the lobby with slat framework structures at the Generator Hotel, Barcelona:

And on my next trip to Iceland, I must stay at the Ion Luxury Adventure Hotel. The cantilevered lobby, the covered heated pool, and views of the Aurora are all stunning.

http://www.5-cinco.com/
http://www.patriciaurquiola.com/
http://pau.room-matehotels.com/index.php/en
http://www.teresasapey.com/
http://generatorhostels.com/en/
http://www.ioniceland.is/
http://www.minarc.com/

BEAUTY: Man--Stephan Stephensen, a.k.a President Bongo

Regular readers know that I have quite a thing for Stephan Stephensen, the Icelandic musician who is one of the core members of Gus Gus. Also known as President Bongo, or sometimes President Penis (I could get used to calling him that), his newest musical project is Gluteus Maximus, a remix/DJ/band with fellow DJ Margeir. Here they are strutting their stuff... and the President has so much to strut. They bill themselves as "the big guns. An arsenal of rotating musical mass." I mean, really, for crying out loud, this man's sheer beauty is gonna kill me someday...

Here is their original song "Everlasting" featuring mellifluous vocals by fellow Icelander Högni Egilsson.

http://www.gluteus-maximus.com/#_

BEAUTY: Photography--Maroesjka Lavigne

Belgian artist and photographer Maroesjka Lavigne went to Iceland in 2011 and spent five months capturing images of life on this most beautiful island.

A book of her Icelandic photos may be purchased at her website.
http://maroesjkalavigne.be/

"Ekki Múkk"

Oh, be still my heart...a NEW Sigur Ros, titled "Valtari," will be released on May 28th, 2012.

"Ekki Múkk." This is the first glimpse of what is to come: a languid slice of heaven. Sigur Ros have never been a band in a hurry. To enjoy them, one must move at their pace, and accept... one must surrender to something other. To me, their music has always sounded like the feeling of compassion made audible.

http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/

BEAUTY: Clothing--Sruli Recht

I am always interested in where artists and designers come from because I believe it informs and shapes their ideas, their attractions, their creative process and, of course, their final product. Sruli Recht is an interesting case study for this phenomenon. Recht was born in Israel, lived most of his life in Melbourne, Australia, and in 2005, moved to Iceland where he is now currently based. Although separated wildly by geography and to a great extent, culture, there is some kind of overriding feeling associated with each of these locales: they seem to feature vast, open, minimalistic landscapes of neutral colors. I think this couples with Recht's conscious inspiration from industrial design, Futurism, and science fiction and Cyberpunk writing, particularly the work of Philip K. Dick. In 2005, Recht went to London to work for three years with genius Alexander McQueen as a pattern cutter and constructing pieces for runway shows. For Recht, the result is a style of clothing that Indesign Magazine said appeared "to be from another time and another world." His designs have often caused controversy for his choice of materials which has in the past included shoes made of a type of leather from the foreskin of the Minke whale, a wallet of Icelandic horse, and use of seal fur--none of which I endorse in the least. Despite the fact that he is using materials that are ethically wrong, the fact of his mastery over shape and form is quite evident. Below are some images from his FW '11 collection.

Below are images from his SS '12 collection entitled "By The Tides, By The Waves."

In 2007, Recht designed a spectacular collection of shoes and boots.

Above: a portrait of the designer Sruli Recht. Below is a photo of a piece by Recht that straddles the line between clothing and art. Entitled "The Binding of Issac," it is a four-cornered shawl of German flannel, dyed twice with the blood of a ram (which is what the official explanation says!) and left to cure for ten months. The hand-sewn binding is antique golden military satin, and each corner has twined and knotted tassels tied with 613 knots. This is directly inspired by a tallit or Hebrew prayer shawl which features tzitzit, or tassels, on each corner... the number of threads, the number of times they are doubled, and the number of knots totals 613, traditionally the number of mitzvot or commandments in the Torah.


Below is a view inside Recht's store/ workshop called The Armory, located in the very atmospheric, abandoned fisheries of Reykjavik’s Fishpacking district. Each month The Armory features what Recht calls "Non products," one-off, handmade articles ranging from clothing, shoes, and scarves to bags, umbrellas, tables, wrapping paper and illustrations.

The portrait of Sruli Recht, the picture of "The Binding of Issac" on model Arash Afrazadeh, and views of Recht's store The Armory were photographed by Icelandic photographer Marinó Thorlacius.

http://srulirecht.com/