Film from June 2011

I recently went with some films to development. Black and white film that I was going to develop myself but it's taking me a long time finishing my darkroom. They were taken in June 2011 when me and Gylfi went to visit his sisters to New Jersey and Philadelphia. I remember when I was taking the photos and the feeling I got when I saw them again was heartwarming.  

We started our trip in Brooklyn visiting Gylfi's old friend and band mate. We watched Escape from New York and had some really good times.

I found Jesse Newkirk to be an excellent model.

The view from the rooftop wasn't bad either.

We went out to walk the dog and met these bulks on the way.

They had an instant connection.

 As did Gylfi with his admiration of The Phillies baseball team.

We stayed with Gylfi's sister in Bristol, PA. She lives there with her late husbands mother-in-law and her 14 year old son. Here is Peggy with her great grandchild Evelyn.

We just bought tickets to go again over and spent Christmas with his sisters this year. I can't wait to go back and photograph some more.

August - Ólafsvík

The first weekend of August me and Gylfi went to visit my father in law to Ólafsvík. He is the hotel manager at Hótel Ólafsvík and invited us to join him over a weekend.

 

 

July - The ultimate summer month

July came with a bang and went away again just as fast. I went to a workshop in Turkey for The European Borderline project. We are exhibiting at Festival Encontros da Imagem in Portugal & at Bursa Photo Fest in Turkey this September. I'm doing a project on self exploration through my name witch happens to be a male's name in Latvia. A collage of self portraits mixed with photos of men I met with in Riga that are also named Valdis. There will also be a show at The Nordic House, Reykjavik January 2013.

 

I got some more photos from our trip around Iceland. Most of them from one of my favorite places on earth, Flatey. 

It was also nice to get back home and stay in Reykjavik for a while

After a short stop in Reykjavik I flew to Turkey

 

June - The month I traveled around Iceland

Yes, summer is finally here. June was a busy month but what stood out was a trip around the country with some great people. I got some fantastic moments in the countryside and listened to beautiful music. This was a 7 day trip with just as may concerts each night in a different town around Iceland. These were the bands Snorri Helgason & Mr. Silla along with the host, comedian Hugleikur Dagson who also did a stand-up between sets.

So this post is dedicated that trip, Veislufjör 2012. 

The weather changed a lot during the trip but it was always just as beautiful no matter where we were.

We were eleven in a big jeep and I sat in the back. On our way I even saw an Icelandic horse.

 Dóri's horse.

I also saw some homie sheep and a creature called Snorri Helgason, he must have been a farmer boy in his former life, it just comes so natural to him. 

Dóri also found a duck in Húsavík he got weirdly interested in. 

They chilled together for a while.

 

Some concerts were played. A memorable one in Sjóraringjahúsið Patreksfirði.

 We found a replica of an old time houses and some sweet summer bliss in Djúpivogur.

And then we found the real thing in Flatey.

And enjoyed the sweet midsummer night in Seyðisfjörður. Gunni, Silla and Góskar played some lovely tunes at 3 am at an after party by the river. 

Gunni showed his skills and stood under the expectations of his sweater. 

I started daydreaming about life in the countryside on the boat ride back from Flatey. Simple life in a lighthouse. 

I think Góskar might be dreaming the same while falling asleep on the way.

My favorite view from Flatey

Go Iceland!

May - The pre summer pep month

I arrived back home to Reykjavík after a month stay in Riga the 9th of May. It was great to come back home and see that spring had arrived and everyone had some color in their cheeks after the dark winter.

Valdis Jansons was one of the last subjects I met with in Latvia. He lived in a small district outside of Riga, very quiet and beautiful. When I arrived to his house he offered me coffee and while listening to Tinariwen he told me about himself and his name. Then he thought me a really cool game with matches. 

On my way back home I had a stop over in Copenhagen. My father came and got me at the airport and we went for a brunch downtown. We made a visit to my second mother's workplace. She works in a medical shelter for drug abusers and homeless people. I think she's a total hero for doing what she does. We went there early and there were already some needles in the trash.

When I finally got home Gylfi was playing in Harpan with kimono. Another band playing was Tilbury, Þormóður's lovely band. Here he is with his beautiful girlfriend Sibba. The guy in the background is master drummer Kjartan sneaking around. Nothing beats a beer & nice concerts on Sunday afternoon.

When I say nothing maybe I mean something. It's also great to get a visit from these beautiful girls on a Sunday afternoon. Sophie Magdalena, Allison Grace & Mia Celeste

I love my balcony. It's big and my cat can go outside and enjoy himself. He's very curious and always looks out for other cats.

My apartment does not have a shower, only a bathtub. I like the way my feet look in the water.

On a Saturday drive downtown we stopped at a red light next to the coolest Volvo owner in Reykjavík, Palli.