DE
EN
artists & participants
Hrafnkell Birgisson,
Jona Björg Jonsdottir,
Odinn Bolli Björgvinsson,
Dögg Gudmundsdottir,
Asta Gudmundsdottir,
Tinna Gunnarsdottir,
Egill Kalevi Karlsson,
Gudrun Lilja Gunnlaugsdottir,
Gudfinna Mjöll Magnusdottir,
Brynhildur Palsdottir,
Thuridur Ros Sigurthorsdottir,
Steinunn Sigurdardottir,
Sigridur Sigurjonsdottir,
Spaksmannsspjarir,
Thorbjörg Valdimarsdottir,
Vikurprjon
curator
press release
Within the art world, Iceland is gradually gaining a recognition for being a melting pot of creative energy. This also includes Icelandic fashion, furniture and object design, which has acquired a reputation for being unusual and special. In a European context, the Icelandic design industry is a very young one, and thus has a tendency towards the wild, cutting edge and individualistic. Icelandic designers are inspired by the creative power of the island's wild and often contrasting nature. This expresses itself in the use of unusual forms, colors, texture and raw materials.
The character of current Icelandic fashion and furniture design is very unique and originates to a great extent in the islands geographical location, its natural caracteristics and climatic conditions. The designers are inspired to cultivate an original and a very independent style based on their perception of the icelandic landscape, geological structures and nuances of colour, national traditions and modern life. In their creations one seems to see soft moss or jagged lava rocks. Different shades of white, purple, green, brown and grey evoked by the ever changing light in the Icelandic highlands can be found, and also reminiscence of crystallised snow, glacial tongues and crevasses. Not only do the Icelandic designers demonstrate artistic finesse and craftsmanship, they also prove that technology and tradition need not mean a break between yesterday and today – and that urbanity and a sense of one’s own national characteristics can go hand in hand.
Fashion: STEiNUNN (by Steinunn Sigurdardóttir), Spaksmannsspjarir, ásta creative clothes (by Ásta Gudmundsdóttir), jbj design (by Jóna Björg Jónsdóttir) and Thorbjörg Valdimarsdóttir
Design: Odinn Design (by Ódinn Bolli Björgvinsson), Gudrun Lilja Gunnlaugsdóttir, Sigridur Sigurjonsdóttir, Tinna Gunnarsdóttir, Dögg Design (by Dögg Gudmundsdóttir) and Vik Prjonsdóttir (by Brynhildur Pálsdóttir, Egill Kalevi Karlsson, Gudfinna Mjöll Magnúsdóttir, Hrafnkell Birgisson, Thurídur Rós Sigurthórsdóttir and Víkurprjón)