Björk won Sweden’s Polar Music Prize

Björk received the Polar Music Prize at a ceremony in Stockholm on last Monday. She received the Polar Music Prize from King Carl Gustaf at the Stockholm Concert Hall. Björk shared the honor with Ennio Morricone.

You see Björk’s speech at the ceremony here

New in Store: BabyRaven by Ingibjörg Hanna

BabyRaven designed by Ingibjörg Hanna is a new product in Birkiland

“BabyRaven is a perfect accessory to hang your coat or favorite clothes instead of hiding them away in a cupboard. BabyRaven hangs from the ceiling by steel wire, dangling free when not in use.” See more

Snow has saved many lives through centuries

Every year nature covers the land in snow. The snow acts like a blanket that puts all the plants to sleep over winter. The snow has both a romantic side and a more dramatic one. Since ancient time people have buried themselves under the snow to stay alive if lost in a snow storm as it will isolate the heat. This practice has saved many lives through the centuries, up to this very day. This blanket is meant to give isolation and protection from daily life. The Snowblanket is dedicated to all the survivors and the ones who went away.

Snowblanket is part of Vík Prjónsdóttir’s new collection. Check it out here.

Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre

Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, situated in the old harbor in Reykjavik, will be open after 289 days. Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre is designed by Henning Larsen Architects and Batteríið Architects, the glass façade, which covers the entire building, was designed by the Icelandic designer, Ólafur Elíasson.

Hidden World by Vík Prjónsdóttir

There is a world that most of us can not visit; some believe in it and some sense it, yet it is beyond them. There are only a few people that can communicate with this other world and those who do bridge that gap between the natural world and the spiritual for the benefit of the community. This blanket is a dedication to these magical people and is meant to create space in the everyday to connect with that hidden world.

Hidden World is part of Vík Prjónsdóttir’s new collection. Check it out here.

Emerging designer with full of ideas

Take a look at this article about Hafsteinn Júlíusson, an industrial / interior designer, in Stilgenetik. He’s born in Reykjavík, Iceland but at the moment he’s living and working in Milan, Italy. He graduated with BA degree in product design from Icelandic Academy of the Arts in Reykjavik in 2008 and in 2009 he earned his masters degree from Scuola Politecnica in Milan, Italy.

Hafsteinn is very young, fresh and creative designer and his ideas are full of fun, care for the nature and concern for all people. Check it out here.

Photo: Mark Bennet

Nature in Design - Náttúran í hönnun

Here are some nice pictures from the exhibition Nature in Design that opened on the 19th of June and will be open until 28th of August 2010 in Ljósafossvirkjun.

Thelma Design & Áróra in Modabot

Check out this article about Thelma Design and Áróra in Modabot, you will like it even though you don’t understand a word. Check it out here.

Photo: Friðrik Örn Hjaltested

Interview with a designer: Thelma Björk

At a very young age, Thelma took an interest in needlework. She became fascinated with traditions, and under the guidance and influence of her grandmother, Thelma practised and perfected her mentor’s techniques. We asked her few questions to get to know a little bit more about her.

Thelma’s profile on Birkiland, click here.

1.  What is your favorite moment of the day?
Mornings are my favorite,  as well as walking after midnight.

2.  Favorite bus route in Reykjavik and why?
Each one is special,  when younger I used to take the bus every where, just to enjoy
my view and daydream about the future.

3.  What did you want to be when you were a child?

I  wanted to be a farmer’s wife at day and a stewardess at night.

4.  Describe your own style?
Mademoiselle in boots wearing a hat. A hat is of course a constant in my style vocabulary and I never leave the house with out one.

5.  What kind of clothes do you avoid wearing?
Fake

6.  Describe your work?
I specialize in creating original, contemporary designs employing my  expertise in embroidery, knitting and crochet.
I rely in every collecting on those traditions, that my grandmother though me while I was growing up.

7.  How is your work influenced by where you live?
In every way I have to say; nature, people and the weather.
For example in Paris it is the romantic Sunday walks and all the love in my life, in Iceland it is the air in my every day.

9.  Where do you work on your design?
At home and at my workshop, but you never know when that great idea hits you,  so I always have my sketchbook with me.

10. When you are designing, do you discuss what you are desining with other desingners?
Yes sometimes I do.

11. In which way do you think design is important for Iceland?
Like they say on the website natura.info “Icelandic design is a creative force that can strengthen Icelandic society and promote a diverse economy” And that is what I believe in.

12. How would you describe Iceland in few sentences?
Iceland is the land of the midnight sun, it is the land of bright summer nights and the land of fire and ice. 

13. What do you think is most beautiful place in Iceland?
There are so many beautiful places in Iceland! But if I have to pick one it would be Breiðafjörður because of its secrets

14. What frightens you most regarding the future?
Death

Interview with Harpa Einarsdóttir

Dazed Digital published today an interesting interview with Harpa Einarsdóttir where she talks about her work, her inspiration and more. Check it out here.