On The Road: Rútshellir
On the southern Ring Road, near Skógafoss, sits the curious site of Rútshellir—a man-made cave carved into a huge chunk of rock. During the early 20th century a stone barn [&he
Discovering Þríhnúkagígur: Árni B. Stefánsson’s Descent Into A Volcano
During our recent visit to the Þríhnúkagígur volcano, the magma chamber was a hive of activity, with workmen busily preparing the space for the season ahead. The man leading th
A Moment’s Pause: Callum Innes Creates A Space In Time
Callum Innes sits in the lounge area of the i8 gallery, looking at a flyer while he thinks. He picks up a pen, and unconsciously presses it to the card, […]
Airwaves Announce More Bands
Airwaves have announced more names for the 2016 festival lineup this November 2-6. With some great names already announced (PJ Harvey! Warpaint! Julia Holter! The Sonics!) the line
The Reykjavík Veggie Burger Wars
One of the most regular food-related conversations we have in the office is: “Where is Reykjavík’s best veggie burger?” For some reason, these little sandwiches of soy produ
Monster Of The Month: Loftandi, The Air Spirit
On a clear spring afternoon, a rumble was heard from the sky, similar to the sound of a large boat being dragged across gravel. It was heard widely across Suðurnes, […]
On The Road: Sólheimajökull
If you drive the South Coast, or any part of Iceland, you’ll see a lot of intriguing signs pointing inland from the Ring Road. Sites of particular interest are indicated [&hellip
People of Grímsey
Harpa Þórey & Gabríel, shopkeepers (pictured above) “We moved here in 2005, from Akureyri. The life is very different, and it’s quiet. My husband is from here. We have
Road Trip: 12 Hours In The South West
Iceland’s southern Ring Road is, understandably, one of the most popular and well-trodden routes in Iceland. But if you have a little extra time, there are some hidden gems scatt
Living On The Edge: A Trip To Grímsey, Iceland’s Arctic Island
It’s almost 2pm when our tiny propeller plane passes over the glossy white mountains that mark Iceland’s northern coastline. I press my face to the cold glass to see the [&hell
Experience This Amazing Living Artwork, While You Still Can
“Phoenix – Reykjavík Edition” is an interactive theatre/live-art crossover experience, in which participants walk, one at a time and eight minutes apart, along a
Swallowed Whole: Into The Volcano
It’s easy to forget, basking in the tropical sun of a 9˚C summer morning in Reykjavík, that just outside the city, summer is yet to arrive. But sure enough, one […]
Making Reykjavík Strange: Wunderland’s Phoenix Project
One of the most intriguing events in the 2016 Reykjavík Arts Festival programme is an interactive performance by the Wunderland group. Entitled “Phoenix,” the event is the thi
Arts Festival ’16: Grapevine’s Quick ‘n’ Dirty Guide
The Reykjavík Arts Festival is a breath of fresh summer air to the city’s cultural scene, bringing together a rich mix of local and imported art, dance and theatre each [&hellip
This Complex World: Reykjavík Arts Festival Begins
Along with the ever-lighter nights and the occasional excitement of double-digit temperatures, the Reykjavík Arts Festival is a welcome harbinger that summer is here. Now in its 3
Magic Happens: Inside the STEiNUNN studio
Like a fresh breeze heralding the change in seasons, a group exhibition entitled ‘The Weather Diaries’ blew into Reykjavík’s Nordic House this spring. Stepping inside its mu
More Human: Cryptochrome Aim To Change The Face Of Pop
Back in 2013, before the ticking time bomb of the Icelandic rap scene had exploded, a new band called Cryptochrome released their debut self-titled album. A mixture of textural ele
Milkywhale Breach The Surface
Melkorka Sígríður Magnúsdóttir is in high spirits, bounding into Kex’s spacious bar with characteristic fizzing energy. “I’ve just finished my exams in school,” sh
On The Road: The Westman Islands
As you drive the southern Ring Road, you’ll notice out some intriguing rock formations out to sea. Some are just picturesque sea stacks—the remnants of eroded archways that hav
Premiere: Milkywhale’s Electric New Video
It might not come as a surprise to regular readers, but we at Grapevine are keen whale watchers—at least, when it comes of the Icelandic performance-pop duo Milkywhale. Melkorka
Gavin Evans: On Photographing Björk, Iggy Pop & David Bowie
In 1995, photographer Gavin Evans was commissioned by Time Out magazine in London to shoot David Bowie during the recording of ‘Outside’. The results were a series of distincti