Photo by Mona Lea

Public baths occupy a unique position in the Icelandic way of life. In some cultures the local swimming pool is the preserve of noisy kids letting off steam, and determined swimmers doggedly completing lengths. In contrast, the sundlaug in an Icelandic community serves much the same purpose as the pub in England or the cafe in France: neighbours meet in a shared space to relax, catch up and share news.

While the original function of Icelandic public baths was more focused on physical fitness and education, their purpose is now often more focused on a wider sense of wellbeing and community. Some even lean towards a spa-like experience.

The development of Icelandic bathing culture is an interesting exercise in community design, with architects, pool employees, civic figures and bathers all contributing to the story told by this exhibit. JP

Photo by Einar Garibaldi Eiriksson

Matador is a game of real estate created by artist Einar Garibaldi Eiriksson, and resembles the pastime known internationally as Monopoly. In both games, contestants buy land with unreal money, then use more unreal money to build houses and hotels on it. The object is to screw other people over when an unlucky roll of the dice lands them somewhere that they didn’t choose to be. Sound familiar? JP