The American artist Roni Horn knows Iceland well and cares for the future of the land that so much inspired her and her works. She came here many years ago on a motorcycle and visited every corner of the island, staying in a tent and in light-houses etc. She then, two year ago, rented an old library in tje sea-town Stykkisholmur (on the Snaefellsnes peninsula) and transformed it into “The Library of Water”;  a community center inside a permanent installation of water columns, containing water from melting Icelandic glaciers, and inside an archive of oral stories of locals about the weather. Ten years ago, Roni Horn decided to write an article about Icelandic nature and the choice Icelanders have to make. She spoke directly to the Icelandic reader in saying: Today you have the knowledge in looking out over the ocean that so fortunately surrounds you that other cultures early on may not have had and later did not care to respect. You have the choice to implement the use of renewable resources to sustain your economy. You have the choice to utilize less invasive methods of production and the choice to produce things that do not result in irreversible damage to your environment.

The article was written on the Sept. 7, 1998, in Reykjavík, for publication in Morgunbladid, September 13, 1998. The article is now re-published on Nattura.info with kind permission of the author. » Lesa meira

Photo: www.visir.is

On the occasion of Björk Guðmundsdóttir presenting Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde with eight proposals for changes that can be made to further sustainable development in Iceland

After the Náttúra-Concert last summer, Björk began researching the economic life of Iceland and summoned a workshop on the October 12th and 19th, together with the website Nattura.info, University of Reykjavik and The Centre of Innovation. Around one hundred experts gathered at the open discussion of the workshops; academics, investors and industrial designers, representatives from Region Business agencies, professional organisations, knowledge societies around the country, together with those who have worked on creating ideas, companies and other innovation activity, on sustainable growth and diversity.
» Lesa meira

During the work-shop series of Spark, organized by Björk and Nattura.info and the University of Reykjavik, this food for thought was developed and given to the governement to consider important opportunities and possible changes of the icelandic system concerning the food-industry.
Synopsis: Food production in Iceland can become an important basis of Icelandic economy in the years to come. Productivity and knowledge is already present in the food industry, but more cooperation and consultation is needed in relation to recreation of the production and knowledge environment, and interrelations with other sectors. Food production in Iceland can become well known for quality, purity, self sustainability, biologic production, traceability (source), originality and good morals. The potentials of Icelandic food production are mainly in the fields of fish products, geothermal tilth of vegetable and fruits, lamb meat, plus other quality meat products, and special dairy products. Food industry is a self sustainable branch that can become a key figure in building up a self sustainable society in Iceland. » Lesa meira

The Náttúra Song by Björk is now out and available from here right now! And iTunes!.  All proceeds from the track will go towards the Nattura Campaig run from this site.

The single is now available and we have also setup donation page for the Náttúra Campaign.

The single was composed specifically to encourage active support for the Náttúra campaign, which aims at collating and providing sustainable and eco-friendly options suitable for Iceland, and generating alternative ways to utilize it’s natural resources. People will be able to submit their ideas on the website for sustainable green workplaces for Icelanders.
According to Björk, “It is now more important than ever before to emphasize a respect for nature…I believe that profits, technological advances and working together with nature can all go hand in hand. None need to be sacrificed at the expense of the others.”

The new single is written and produced by Björk and features Radiohead’s Thom Yorke on backing vocals, Brian Chippendale (Lighting Bolt) on drums, Matthew Herbert on synth/bass, and Mark Bell on additional electronic beats. Opening with a huge elemental swirl, “Náttúra” then fires up an incendiary and fierce tribal rhythm. The song sees Björk firmly on the march in celebration of her homeland, in hopes that Icelanders harness its energy in a sustainable way.

» Lesa meira

Björk Guðmundsdóttir calls for workshops gathering individuals who have worked on proceeding self-sustainable companies and aim for innovation. Among these are start-up companies and post-seed companies, representatives for economic and social development, academics, inventors and investors.

The workshop’s conversation deals on possible progress, on obstacles, and various ways to connect inventiveness, innovation, start-up companies, and to activate the interconnection to other clusters of similar relations and to the motive power of international expertise and market forces.

Icelanders stand at crossroads: Are we going to choose a single-track industry or administer to diversity and openness to other ways? Permanent and fertile diversity exclude quick-fix-solutions that economically, socially and environmentally deplete the resources that are fundamental for a self-sustainable development.

» Lesa meira

Rebecca Solnit spent some months in Iceland and gives us her view on the civil consciousness or the lack of it…
» Lesa meira

Náttúra, the largest live music event ever held in Iceland, took place yesterday evening in front of 30,000 people in central Reykjavik.
» Lesa meira