ÞORPIÐ, AN EXPERIMENTAL PRODUCT WORKSHOP IN EAST ICELAND
A photo of the window of the workshop in evening with lots of snow outside. We are all there chatting, Lára, Signý and Sóley with me facing the window with the camera.
Yesterday we were invited to meet Lára Vilbergsdóttir and Signý Ormarsdóttir in the workshop Þorpið. The Icelandic word Þorpið is a common name meaning ‘village’ or small town holding two specific letters that are only Icelandic. The workshop is approximately two years old and has been for experimenting in making things out of local materials and know-how. It felt like a very classic workshop with very good facilities for many different things, from ceramics to soft textiles. The photos tell more than words. Lára and Signý explained the structure of the workshop, the largest project is Euro funded but they are open for more activities with outside workers/artists/crafts people. In my opinion this is an excellent opportunity for the exploration of new methods in dealing with local materials or/and re-awakening older methods into the present day culture of fast bought things from global supermarkets that bring over rubbish from Asia. I have belief in such efforts wherever globally, small action and small communities rather than the global terrorizing companies. And the spirit is the same in Iceland or Mozambique. We are all very similar while also enjoying our specialities. Here are a few images from our visit.
January 30, 2012
Posted in: ART, DESIGN, FASHION, ICELAND, SUSTAINABILITY
