The centerpiece of this complex on Reykjavík’s eastern harbor is an 1,800-seat concert hall, but the standout feature is the southern façade, designed collaboratively by the architects, engineers, and Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson. Composed of 12-sided glass-and-steel “quasi-bricks”—developed in Eliasson’s studio—the structure, illuminated at night, acts like a massive kaleidoscope mixing light from many sources and reflections of the city to spectacular effect. 2 Austurbakki; 354/528-5050; en.harpa.is.
From the Jury
“Harpa evokes water in all of its grandeur—the prismatic quality of the glass reflecting ice and clouds.” —Michele Oka Doner, artist
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/tl-design-awards/2
Pictures of HARPA on Flicr
Minister of Finance Oddný Harðardóttir told reporters that she believes that decisions recently taken by the State Alcohol and Tobacco Company of Iceland (ÁTVR) to reject the sale of two different brands of alcohol due to their labeling is fully within the spirit of the law.
As reported earlier this month, Motörhead brand shiraz was rejected for import because the name of the band "is a reference to users of the illegal drug amphetamine, and the lyrics of the band's songs are regularly about war, the abuse of power, irresponsible sexual activity and drug abuse." Later, Black Death beer was also rejected for import on the grounds that the message "drink in peace" written on the label is outside the bounds of what is allowed to be printed on a label of an alcoholic beverage.
These decisions have been met with a great deal of public resistance, but Minister of Finance Oddný Harðardóttir told Vísir that they are fully within the spirit of the law. The Ministry of Finance is the ministry that oversees ÁTVR.
Oddný added that she has seen labeling on alcohol that she would consider questionable. "I've seen Easter beer with cute little ducklings on it," she said. "And alcohol decorated in such a way that it looks like juice."