Stuff We Like!

Now for a list of stuff that caught our eye on-line today and we have
an affinity for. This includes pics of pissoirs in NYT, Polish Days in
Reykjavík and an article about Valhalla…
To begin with, the accompanying picture was ripped off the New York Times website [via Paul Krugman’s blog], as they saw fit and is shot in the bathroom of new Reykjavík rock dive Sódóma. It details the club’s men’s room, where they have installed a “Pissoir of Absolution” where male drinkers can express their feelings on several bankers and “New Vikings” via urinating on their likeness. We tried it and, yeah, it’s pretty fun. It’s also nice to note that in our 2008 roundup issue, artist Halldór Arnar Úlfarsson espoused the idea of building such a thing, so it’s nice to know Grapevine is contributing to the latest interior decoration styles. Paul Krugman calls the shot “Trickle-down economics”, and that’s pretty funny.
Browsing the web today, we also stumbled upon this site promoting “Polish Days” at Grand Hótel in Reykjavík. They’re going on right now, the programme promises Polish food, Polish Jazz and some interesting lectures on the nation Iceland has grown so close to in the last decade.
The always entertaining, often thought-provoking (mostly) Icelandic-only communist newspaper Nei. recently published an English-language article detailing the history and mythology behind the Independence Party’s headquarters, Valhalla. Beautifully written by poet Kristín Ómarsdóttir, the piece is a must-read for anyone interested in Iceland beyond the Golden Circle (and those crazy elves).
Those would also do themselves well by reading this article on the Open Democracy site. It tries to examine the roots of the Icelandic nation’s self-image, and the crisis it is currently undergoing as it faces economic woes and possible international isolation.
Lastly, we should point out the Iceland Weather Report blog – which is really more exciting than the name indicates. It has grown very popular with a certain group of Icelandophile, and rightfully so, as the author gives a lively, detailed, personal and very skillfully written account of most things Icelandic.
Lastly, I should remind y’all that not only does the Reykjavík Grapevine have an awesome web-site the one you’re currently on), but we’ve also signed up for Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. We are told it is called “web 2.0” or “social media”, and that it is pertinent for retaining cultural relevance and making money in 2009 (although we can’t figger out where the money comes from or where it goes to…). You should most definitely connect with, follow or befriend us there. That would be great.