 |
Getting to go to the first annual Icelandic Tattoo and Rock Festival last year
was an out of the blue, random act of God's grace. Going to the second
annual Icelandic Tattoo and Rock Festival was a deeply anticipated, dream
come true. The first time I experienced Iceland it was a whirlwind trip that only
lasted a few days. Of those days, too many were wasted on flight delays and the
actual travel time. This trip I decided to take more time and explore all that is
Iceland.
Ossur and his wife Linda along with Dave Greninger once again put on an
event that was nothing but first class. Shortly after getting acclimated to the time
in Reykjavik, on the Thursday before the fest kicked off, I met up with the
American artists that were working the show. Ossur set us up in a very well
appointed apartment and left us like excited kids in a candy store to explore a
bit before a very busy Friday.
|
 Jon Pall in mid thought of his next line |
 Chuck B. on naturally occuring salt
pillars and peak on the black sand
beaches of southern Iceland |
 American, Icelandic transplant Jason
Thompson, House of Pain, Rekjavik, tattooing
Brigitta Elin Helgadottir. Her flowers are by
Jon Thor of Tattoo & Skart, Rekjavik |
|
We set off to the waterfront to soak in the
majesty of Iceland.The huge mountains and dark blue
water is a perfect backdrop to a city that looks and
feels more like a resort or perfectly planned community.
There are only 300,000 people on the entire
island of Iceland and for the most part these islanders
are smart, good-looking, and cool. Iceland is one of
the most expensive places to live on the planet.Why?
Because it’s worth it! Reykjavik has the best aspects of
the US and Europe combined, with its pristine and
utterly pure environment. The ancient Viking spirit and blood line remains untainted
among the people, and they are proud of it. We made our way back into the heart of
the city and visited a couple of shops including Svirrir's House of Pain Tattoo, and made
plans to explore some of the countryside Friday Morning.
Friday morning (after some "light" partying Thursday night) we drove off with quite
possibly the craziest couple in all of Iceland, Svirrir and Dillah.We went across the narrow
winding roads of rural Iceland to the continental divide and original House of
Parliament meeting place. It was an amazing sight. It was sort of a mini Grand Canyon
but more Lord of the Rings looking.After a few minutes of gazing we raced off like criminals
on the run back to the city to set up for the show.
|
 Jason June tattooing Hebbi Vihjalmsson |
 Sverrir at work on a custom backpiece |
|
The festival kicked off and the artists settled into their booths.Tattoo enthusiasts
and the general public began to file in at a good pace.The day grew more intense
after a few live radio interviews with the artists hit the airwaves on the local rock
station 97X.The buzz in the room grew louder by the moment.The enthusiasm of
the tattoo collectors in Iceland is like none I have ever seen before.There seems to
be a sort of cultural renaissance taking place in Reykjavik. The whole Icelandic hip
scene is very arts driven, so people are getting large pieces and letting the artists be
artists. Friday, the tattoo artists produced a ton of killer work, and everyone seemed
pleased with the turnout.The fest closed at midnight and it was time to cut loose a
little more.The nightlife in Reykjavik is world class and the locals take the party very
seriously. Since it doesn't get dark in the
summer the good times come to an end in the extremely
A.M. hours.
Making it to the fest on time Saturday proved to be a bit
more difficult than I expected and the day was even busier
than I expected. The machines never stopped running and
the appointments never stopped booking up. All the
Icelandic artists in attendance were creating masterpiece
after masterpiece, and they worked together as if they were
in an art guild workshop. There were several Icelandic pride types of tattoos
done by the local artists as well as a few from the Americans.
Saturday ended with a bunch of aching wrists and backs. The tattooing
never stopped, the awesome Icelandic hospitality never subsided and the
party kept rolling throughout the entire weekend at Bar 11, the best and
only real rock 'n' roll bar of Reykjavik. Sunday the artists were so booked
up they had to keep tattooing after the show was over for a few days out
of the local tattoo studios.
|
 Ingi Valur's roses and skull by GP of Oddity Ink in
Jacksonville Beach, Fla., U.S. was so tight and smooth that it
won for Best of Show. Ingi wasn't excited or anything... |
 Future PRICK Covergirls of Iceland |
|
As if the amazing tattoo festival was not enough to blow my mind, I
took a few more days to explore the coastline. My crazy cousins from
N.C. came along for the party this year as well, so after a game of midnight
golf on the tip of Reykjavik we set out on our cross country journey.
The sights and landscapes of Iceland are breathtaking and extreme:
beautiful waterfalls hundreds of feet tall, massive white water rivers, and
glacier runoffs. Ancient lava fields from the world's largest lava flow ever
recorded stretch as far as the eye can see up to massive rock cliffs and
peaks. We saw black sand beaches, lava rock beaches, salt pillars and caves straight
out of a movie.
The final leg of our road trip took us to the Glacier itself where we watched
school bus size, crystal blue icebergs break off and slide into the ocean. On the way
back to Reykjavik we stopped by a geyser the likes of Old Faithful and drove through
miles of rolling hills and farms filled with sheep and horses. It was truly Zen-like.Then
it was back to the uber-sheik city of Reykjavik for one last party. It was a truly amazing
adventure. I can’t even put into words how awesome everyone is that was
involved in putting this festival together. I can't wait until next year's fest. It is already
lining up to be even bigger and better.
|
 This historic, never before done in Iceland, tandem tattoo
session by Vincent of Tattoo 69 and Jon Thorr of
Tattoo & Skart was a highlight of Sunday |
 Show promoter Dave G. with Bosco and "Duddy boy" Derek
hangin' at the Bar 11 afterparty |
|
|
 The contest winners this year were GP, Vincent, Jon Pall, Jon Thorr, Buri, and Pete Colleran |
|
|
 The artists and crew of the 2nd Annual Icelandic Tattoo Festival |
|
|
|
|
|
