Airwaves on the Quietest of Days

On the quietest of days I am curled up in a warm cafe, picture windows make the whole rainy city a dry lovely moving picture. People walk in, they don't know me, I don't know them, it's sad and nice married. I start to reflect and try to channel a hemmingway frame of mind. And as I put the pen (<<<< Amiina)to paper to write my first analogy, I dip my entire necklace in my Americano- tipping it over and soiling my rainy day in a cafe dress. Grace has left me today. And I shut my journal.



There are two kinds of events going on at the Airwaves Festival (music).
1) Large bands from all over the globe (many Icelandic) at a variety of venues. The festival is sold-out so it's a crowded pushing fiesta (normal show).
2) Off-venue shows: which are fantastic! Many of the bands from the main line-up played free acoustic shows sprawling from a small cafe to a youth hostel. This gave me the chance to see these artists I have loved for years, close + personal, just the way I wish all shows could be.

Imagine having your dream playlist. These are the songs make you sing along the hardest, the muse to your strongest ideas, and your escape when you're about to burst from the "real world. Now imagine two of those songs are sung inches from you in person. This is what happened to me this week:
These are the original versions that I used to play over-and-over:
1) Lay Low- By and By
2) Svavar Knutur- Emotional Anorexic

And here is the video that I was able to take of those same songs just this last week!!

CLICK ME!!

Below I am going to take you through what I saw and felt during this high impact few days. Grab any of these band names and look them up, you may have a new favorite (I would be willing to bet on it)

(Hjaltalin)

(Hjaltalin)

(Hjaltalin)

(Olafur Arnalds)

(Seabear)

     

  (Lay Low)                                                                                          

                                                                      (Lockerbie)

(Hafdis Huld)

(Ljosvaki)

(Blood group)

Music in Iceland Day One

If you are part of the school of thought that all Icelandic music sounds like Bjork and Sigur Ros *
you would be an upset panda to know, they are a rarity... even in Iceland. I guess this stereotype is also a sore spot for some Icelanders. Tourists often come and seem disappointed by the lack of bjorkyness in the air. But please don't let that ruin it for you because there are actually many bands in Iceland that will make you laugh, boogie, sway, and tear up. This band for example (shot today at one of the concerts)

 This week I am lucky enough to be around for the Iceland Airwaves and with a media pass.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

What does this mean? It means that I will be able to report directly from dozens of shows featuring Icelandic musicians. These are happy times for me because this lass has spent many hours in Toronto watching Icelandic musicians playing on podcasts and thought "one day my eyes will really see this and my ears will really hear this"

I will have much more to report in the next couple days and you can delight with me in Icelandic tunes. 

Speaking of pretty things to the ears. There is this sound that I have heard a lot since I have arrived. The sound is something Icelandic women often do when talking, they breath in and speak as well as breath out and speak. It's really gentle and quiet and I have most commonly heard the word já (which sounds like "yow"). A friend told me today that it is a bit of a faux pas to do but I find it very beautiful. 

(Disclaimer: It is all up to taste, there are some bands I do not stand behind- if you find a bad Icelandic band do not come to me with angry pointing fingers). 

And lastly, this morning I woke up to this at the kitchen window. It looks like a dragon. 

*(if you don't know who they are click BJORK and/or SIGUR ROS)

Yoko's Imagine Peace Tower

On John Lennon's 70th Birthday (October 9th, 2010) Yoko Ono turned on the lights to her memorial to Lennon called the "Imagine Peace Tower".

I didn't bring a camera for the lighting ... I know that may sound weird being a documentarian but I thought it was more respectful to just tell you what happened and not add light (flash) that would distract from the focal light (the memorial). The images on this post are borrowed for reference purposes. We will however be filming there in one week, so do not fret.

I however wanted to bring you with me on the experience so I kept notes on the back of a receipt as not to forget the many feelings/thoughts.

I preface this with: I am not a hard-hitting Lennon, Yoko, nor Beatles fan...sorry
                      BUT
It felt really amazing to be there.

The light installation is located on a tiny island off of the coast of Reykjavik called Viðey 

Yoko paid for free ferry rides for everyone and the big ol tug boat started puttering us towards the rolling hills of Videy. As we are approaching I am trying to think of why Yoko chose here? In an interview she said "Thank you, Iceland and Icelanders for being what you are – a family of wisdom, showing the world how we can protect our Earth and its spirits." 
        I like this story too- Yoko told an audience once that Lennon used to smoke and she said to him "why would you put that ugly black smoke up into that beautiful blue sky" and then ...he quit smoking.

  Can you imagine living your life for a partnership without your partner? This is what hit me tonight. Yoko is still doing the work that they both set out to do and it sank my heart. Maybe because I couldn't fathom the weight of such a loss or that I felt such admiration for her unbridled dedication. And to have this huge (car show times 20) light beam straight into the sky, seems to be the most symbolic way to speak to the heavens (with out trying to denote any religion) and say "I am doing our work".

I went alone. I thought maybe I could hear her message clearer if I wasn't filling the air with mindless chatter. You know all those times we think of questions to ask just to say "something"?
I kept thinking of a quote I read of hers while I was sitting quietly in the tall grass:
"May all of us heal ourselves and learn to love each other in peace."


All sorts of people came. I could hear at least five different languages. Munchkins ran around and fearlessly threw themselves at the ground falling flawlessly into somersaults. There was no pushing or crowding. Some brought sandwiches and some just laid flat back and stared at the sky.
The island was exactly how you would want it to feel to sit with nature. Each footstep sounded like you were walking on a wooden box and the long grass bowed in a wave every time the sea shifted. I loved it so much. I haven't been this quiet with my mind... maybe ever.

The first beam of light shot up in the air with no warning and it was awesome. It was a soft light so you didn't have to squint. The second, then the third, fourth, each one was followed by "ohhhs" and "ahhs". All of the light beams together formed one unified beam at the top that pierced through any possible cloud. 

When we were standing in line for the ferry to leave I wondered if people would push and bully their way to the front, totally ignoring the premise of "peace". And to my delight, no one did. Then from the back I can feel someone forcing through and low and behold it's a camera man

... shame on you media man. 

I wanted to have a better understanding of their relationship and Lennon's life after this and so I found this short documentary on the life of Lennon. (link)

 Goodnight lovely eyes. 

A day off from Words

Today is a day with out words. We don't need them... not today. 

Iceland on top of a Mountain

       
                          I have had the most vivid dreams since I landed here... 
Walking around the city and sitting in conference rooms hasn't helped me connect why. 
This day did though:

One car-Pancake snacks (literally folded up pancakes)- and non-stop jaw dropping scenery. 
Please let me preface this section with this: I do not like hype or talking about what's just popular. Now we all know that Iceland is beautiful and have heard of it's unique landscapes. Maybe I am becoming a bit jaded from hanging out with people that are used to these views. But this was more... this was more than postcards, this was more than advertisments, and this was more than I could've expected. So get a cup of coffee and put on some pretty music. May I suggest this SONG (one of the musicians from the conference)

The horses were still like statues. 

This has not been toyed with, these are the actual colors made my nature. 

I only took this because I feel it makes a funny statement. If each family member is represented by a wooden figure, I see the dad as being a bit lower on the totem pole. 

These crazy critters are everywhere and even though you want to run up and hug them, keep in mind that when I opened the car door to do so they started running at me. I don't think it was because they wanted to be embraced. 

This is a story about a poet who made a deal with the devil that he could win in a poetical dual. The devil lost and therefore had to leap off the cliff. This is the cliff. 

The white center on this map is said to be a hub for aliens to meet up. Right in front of that is the place where the devil jumped off the cliff. I think this is a bad place to build a house. 

      You are a part of this now too... just by reading. I hope you continue to join me in this journey.


More to come...

Protests at the Parliament

This is a video I took from the protest. This will be a good intro into what many Icelanders went through tonight. 

Did you know there were protests outside Iceland's parliament today? I write this and wonder how much happens globally that is so important to the people going through it and can go completely unknown to the rest of the world.

So here is the low-down. From the beginning

1) Icelandic bank(s) collapsed in 2008 (this became known as the kreppa) the nations currency (krona) becomes a small fraction of what it was before. Many many Icelanders took out these "special" loans to pay for their homes and cars(these loans much like in the USA were being offered to EVERYONE). Iceland gets rid of old Prime Minister, Geir Haarde (who has played a big part in the collapse and is facing criminal charges (LINK)} and puts in new PM Johanna Sigurdardottir. This up-heavel is called the "pots and pans revolution" where much like today crowds banged all that they had in their kitchens outside of the parliament, demanding a change in government and accountability for the collapse. 

2) “I have full understanding that people who are suffering because of the crisis demonstrate their anger because there are many big unsolved problems as is clear by the forced auctions of people’s homes,” added Foreign Minister Össur Skarphédinsson. This quote sums up what's happening now pretty well. People are very scared because they are faced with losing their homes and many feel the government hasn't done anything to protect them. 

It's very different reading about this vs. seeing it. To add to the whole feeling in the air, the wind is literally blowing like a monster. It's howling and rattling the windows, I wouldn't doubt if there was a connection somehow here. I will keep you posted as I learn more about this situation from the people who are experiencing it. 

You are in Control Conference

I am here!! This big boat is my neighbor.... well there are houses too.

I have spent the last two days at an intense design/artist/thinker conference called "You are In Control". Some of our strongest innovative movers and shakers were speaking at this conference and I have to say what a cool way to kick off this adventure. 

If you were wondering if you can be vegan in Iceland.... the answer is, YES~

It's good to be reminded that there are incredible/valuable actions being taken to help the things in this world that make us feel powerless. This particular talk was from Thomas Ermacora, I am not going to give you his bio because you can find that through this link but what I can say that I took out of this is the value of taking a chance on ideas but even more so, taking a chance on working with someone else on ideas. This means if you see a problem, it's taking the initiative to pick up the tools necessary and change it. Thomas is collaborating with Imogen Heap in a project much like the cool things happening here in Iceland. Check out this interview with Thomas 

INTERVIEW CLICK ME

This conference mentioned over and over how Icelandic music stands apart and therefore needs to be given as much support and credit as the other major industries in Iceland. The type of music and art that has been coming out of Iceland in the past 8 years is exactly what drew me there. Throughout the conference the coffee and meal breaks were partnered with incredible new Icelandic music. I was in awe. I think you may be too. Check out this one band called Mammut. 

 VIDEO for MAMMUT

Do you know who this is? Oh it's only one of the most influential documentary filmmakers of our time. Remember the film Manufacturing Consent? Yes this (on the left) man left me with a million thoughts swirling around as he ran a multi-media poetry esc. presentation. If you have never seen Manufacturing Consent he has put the entire film online for all to see for free. It's not peppy but I find myself referencing it often. 

MANUFACTURING CONSENT 

Imogen Heap was one of the speakers as well. She presented the strategy she used while making her last album. *If you haven't heard of her Look here, maybe you have and just didn't know her name 

                       LIVE IMOGEN HEAP VIDEO

By use of social media (Twitter) she was able to get the opinions of her fans in the very vulnerable points of creation. The fresh thoughts actually helped her blast out of her funk and produce a beautiful new body of work. And this is what I took away from this conference at large: we are not above each other we all just have different directions, tools, and eyes. By working with other's and their tools, we have a really good chance of getting out of economic, environmental, social catastrophes. And if I am wrong... well I am not, because it's happening as you put your pretty head on your pillow tonight. 

I was able to get a interview with Imogen Heap but that my friend will be saved for the film. 

More to come. 

Day One

 Day one 


I'm here!!!!!!!! (Just a little pause to scream that)
    The flight was a smooth monkey.  It felt like the fastest flight I have ever been on. Maybe that's because of how long it has taken to get here. We land and in my sleepy daze the airline starts playing one of my favorite Icelandic artists, Laylow. You can click on this link and listen along while you read the rest of the blog and then somehow we will be experiencing this together (in a multi-sensory way). 
SONG


Meat and Potatoes; Landing
 I felt like a secret agent. The directions were to go to the bus, take that for an hour through the lava fields, second pick up harry potter looking key from bus station counter with my name on it, third take a cab to location. I walked up through flights of stairs, each floor holding another cluster of artists studios. I am staying at the SIM artist residency located on the ocean. For those of you who don't know I started this project almost 3 years ago to focus on the type of art coming out of Iceland... serendipitous aka perfect. 


I started to walk into the city center and noticed how each house I passed had walls chalked full of art. The houses are what you may imagine in a Nordic country. They are in tight rows in bright colors on bendy streets. Yes I may be a creepo gazing into the windows of unsuspecting Icelanders but I couldn't help it. I went to the one of 3 vegetarian places in town and had a happy plate of goodness. And THEN.... in comes one of my all time favorite Icelandic musicians singer of the band Hjaltalin
And she just sits down. And I stare. She looks up. I stop staring. 
This is a magical place. 


Tomorrow is the You Are in Control Conference. Imogen Heap will be performing an improve piece and a handful of our worlds most innovative thinkers will be there speaking on Iceland's role in the creative global community. I feel this is the turning point in the story, after this conference we will be coming into this with the vernacular and ideas that make entire nations change their course. I am excited so much so I could jump out of my skin. 


Tomorrow we will have pictures and more fun. Stay tuned. 

Jam-Jewelry-Jet Plane

This is the last time we will be asking for community help for this film. We are about to head off in a couple weeks to finish filming "Blueberry Soup" and are in need of a bit of love. Over the past two years Wilma's Wish has been working their tail feathers off researching, planning, and giving into this labor of love. Kickstarter is a site started to help people with creative ideas reach their funding needs through community support. Just tonight Kickstarter chose our project as their #2 staff pick (out of thousands of projects)!! If you would like some beautiful Icelandic goodies to have as your own and also help us finish our project I ask you to please do so. Thank you and I am sending you a kiss from miles away!

~eileen

Link: http://kck.st/c8c5tl

October is the month of Smiles~!

What have the Wilma's Wish chicks been up to for the past couple months? Well let me tell you- inspiration and madness!

 We are going back to Iceland October 1st to begin the "meat and potatoes" of Blueberry Soup. 

I will be living in a fascinating place. It's an artist residency where a number of Icelandic artists from different mediums live and create under the same roof. I will be sharing a studio and a home with these creatives and blogging about it the whole time. 

   We made a scary but exciting decision pertaining to the film a couple months ago: taking a large film crew isn't really our style and feels invasive, particularly when it comes to subject matter that is so personal to the people we are interviewing. So... I will be heading to Iceland alone for the first 2 weeks to explore, ask questions, and see where those questions lead us. I am so thrilled to follow this trail and from what we have seen so far I think you are going to be shocked by what is cooking in Iceland right now.  Haven't you wondered how a community of people would get out of a crisis if left completely to their own devices? Well buddy, we are going to find out!

So what's in store?? An international music festival, a conference centered around "design thinking" for change, and so much beautiful art, landscapes, sheep yogurt.... did you pee a little right there too? 

    By week 3 our out of this world award winning cinematographer Steve Whitehead will be joining me and like a lit rocket we will be filming and unturning each and every stone (well.. most). Steve has this incredible way of putting things we may over look in everyday life into a frame that makes life feel like a very magical place to exist in. So to say the least, we are about to make something really lovely. 

If you have itchy fingers in your deep awesome pockets and feel like helping, we have some cool Icelandic stuff to give you in return. This Wednesday we will be launching our funding campaign for the little we need to get to this part of our journey.  

Join us on the voyage! Once in Iceland I will start posting every other day. I welcome your comments b/c we are like the film, stronger with a sense of community. 

See you in Iceland!