Iceland - Reykjavík and Reykjanes

Höfði Lighthouse was newly built from 2016-19, serving the old harbour in Reykjavík HFF!

Höfði is the City of Reykjavík's guesthouse (since 1958). Originally built in 1909 for the French consul, it then was the home of poet Einar Benediktsson and in the 40ies and 50ies it housed the British embassy. The house is famous for being the place of the 1986 meeting of Reagan and Gorbachev which ended the Cold war. HBM!

Sólfarið (Sun Voyager) is a stainless steel sculpture by Jón Gunnar Àrnason. Originally intended to look towards the setting sun, the sculpture was ultimately built by Sæbraut (northern coastal road) looking north towards Mount Esja.

Harpa participated in Pink October by illuminating its facade. Employees wore pink and we spotted Björk wearing pink stockings with white plateau shoes and a huge white coat;-) Even the lighthouse on Seltjanarnes (see inset) was illuminated pink. On the same day, Icelandic Rescue Services had a meeting there and showed some of their vehicles (see inset). Harpa nahm am Pink October mit illuminierter Fassade teil, Angestellte trugen ebenfalls Pink. Wir sahen sogar Björk höchstpersönlich in rosa Strümpfen, weißen Plateauschuhen und riesigem weißen Mantel;-) Auch der Leuchtturm auf Seltjanarnes war pink beleuchtet (s.PiP) Die isländischen Rettungsdienste hatten an dem Tag ebenfalls ein Treffen dort und stellten einige ihrer Fahrzeuge aus (s. PiP).

Harpa concert hall and conference centre was designed by Henning Larsen Architects, Batteriid Architects and artist Olafur Eliasson. They were honoured with the Mies van der Rohe Award in 2013. wiki(deutsch) www.henninglarsen.com/projects/0600-0699/0676-harpa---concert-hall-and-conference-centre.aspx

Harpa concert hall and conference centre was designed by Henning Larsen architects in co-operation with Olafur Eliasson and opened in 2011. en.harpa.is Deutsch: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konzerthaus_Harpa

Search and rescue from the Reykjavik area showing their vehicles, typically Icelandic super-Jeeps which are able to cope with river crossings and very rough terrain. The services are run by unpaid volunteers who often risk their lives to get people out of danger. Their work isn't made any easier by a growing number of tourists ignoring prohibitions and basic safety measures so there is an ongoing discussion whether reckless tourists should be billed for their rescue. See inset photos! icelandmag.visir.is/article/travel-warning-mountain-roads-southern-central-highlands-closed-due-heavy-rain icelandmag.visir.is/article/numerous-travellers-faced-millions-krona-water-damages-after-failed-river-crossings Rettungsdienste aus dem Raum Reykjavík präsentieren ihre Fahrzeuge, typisch isländische Super-Jeeps, die mit Flussdurchquerungen und extremem Gelände klarkommen. Die Rettungsdienste bestehen aus Freiwilligen, die oft genug ihr Leben riskieren. Durch die zunehmende Zahl idiotischer Touristen, die Verbote und Warnungen ignorieren, wird ihre Arbeit nicht einfacher. Deshalb wird diskutiert, ob durch Leichtsinn verursachte Rettungsaktionen zukünftig in Rechnung gestellt werden sollen.

The facade of Harpa concert hall and conference centre was desiged by artist Ólafur Eliasson. The shapes are reminiscent of the columnar basalt found all over Iceland. olafureliasson.net/artwork/facades-of-harpa-reykjavik-concert-hall-and-conference-centre-2005-2011

Sculpture by Elín Hansdóttir www.harpa.is/en/news/himinglaeva-inaugurated-at-harpa-square