Nature in Design, Iceland
Nature in Design is an exhibition that takes visitors on a journey through nature objectified by Icelandic designers and offers insight into the underlying ideas behind the products. Nature in Design is a collaborative project of the Iceland Design Centre and Landsvirkjun and is open daily until 28th August 2010.
The exhibits encourage reflection on wildlife conservation, sustainability, manmade environments, and beauty. Each designer has a unique perspective on nature, and their treatment is as varied as nature itself.
Fjörulallar, Guðrún Björk Jónsdóttir
Diverse natural phenomena and fond memories of nature past find expression in works such as ‘Fjörulallar’ (Beach boys) by Guðrún Björk Jónsdóttir – large rocks which have been washed up to the beach and transformed into seating. The exhibition includes interviews with some of the designers, such as Hrafnkell Birgisson, Katrín Ólína, Sigríður Sigþórsdóttir and Steinunn Sigurðardóttir.
Furnibloom, Dagný Bjarnadóttir
Furnibloom by landscape architect Dagný Bjarnadóttir is a series of transparent plexi glass tables and stools that have plants growing inside them – reminding you constantly of nature.
Vik Prjónsdóttir Collective, Shield of Wings
The Vik Prjónsdóttir Collective was formed in 2005 by the designers Brynhildur Pálsdóttir, Egill Kalevi Karlsson, Guðfinna Mjöll Magnúsdóttir, Hrafnkell Birgisson, Þuríður Rós Sigurþórsdóttir and the knitting factory Víkurprjón. Vík Prjónsdóttir is influenced by myths and stories, from the past as well from the present, such as the Icelandic Seal Pelt and Shield of Wings, inspired by the sea eagle. Fascinated by nature as well as urban life, the collective believe in the beyond and respects the hidden world. Vík Prjónsdóttir has passion for local cultures, materials and production.
Black or White, Vik Prjónsdóttir Collective
The knitting factory Víkurprjón Ltd is located in Vík, which is the southernmost village in Iceland, around 200 km from Reykjavík. The company was founded 1980 and is one of the oldest and best known knitwear producers in Iceland. The largest part of the production involves creating all kinds garments from Icelandic sheep wool. Víkurprjón uses traditional methods with the original colours and national patterns as well as designing and producing clothes.
Kría jewellery
In the exhibition, ‘Súkkulaðifjöll’ are Chocolate Mountains that replicate the geological strata of the rocks found in Iceland. Designed by Brynhildur Pálsdóttir and hand made by chocolatier Hafliði Ragnarsson. Kría, the name of the arctic tern, is a jewellery label created by designer Jóhanna Methúsalemsdóttir. It started when Jóhanna found a skeleton of the bird by the same name nestled in the sand of a black lava beach in eastern Iceland in the summer of 2006.
Katrin Olina, 8+8 Made in Hafnarfjordur
Also exhibiting is Katrin Olina, much of her work contains natural elements that combine the fairytale and the sublime, consisting of lush landscapes inhabited by real and fictional creatures, as well as characters tied to her own personal history. 8+8 Made in Hafnarfjordur was a project aimed at at collaboration between designers and local manufacturers. Katrin worked with concrete manufacturer Mest. Experiments with the material resulted in two different pieces of furniture, a bench and a stool. While the bench is molded into a rigid form, the stool communicates the fluidity of the concrete.
There are over 30 participating designers, including Brynhildur Pálsdóttir and Guðfinna Mjöll Magnúsdóttir, Dagný Bjarnadóttir, Guðrún Lilja Gunnlaugsdóttir, Hanna Jónsdóttir, Hafsteinn Júlíusson, Jón Björnsson, Katrín Ólína, Jóhanna Methúsalemsdóttir, Hildur Yeoman, Snæfríð Þorsteins and Hildigunnur Gunnarsdóttir, Sruli Recht, Vík Prjónsdóttir, and Tinna Gunnarsdóttir.
Inspired by Iceland
Nature in Design
Guðrún Björk Jónsdóttir
Dagný Bjarnadóttir
Vik Prjónsdóttir Collective
Kría
Katrin Olina
