Einar and Ásgeir, from father to son >>>

Three meetings with Hervé Jézéquel, photographer, and
Vanessa Doutreleau, ethnographer >>>

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It will get better...well maybe >>>

Available in October 2024 >>>

What's new in December 2024 >>>

photo prints on wood by Hélène Tourbine

Les Déferlantes bookstore and café - Morlaix

from September 24 to December 23, 2024 >>>

Iceland is a well-known country without forests - which isn't entirely true (but it really is a country without trains, an army, McDonald's or public billboards - and I can't attest to any connection between these oddities).
In short, a country supposedly without forests, while they covered about a third of the territory before human settlement around the 9th century.
The forests, mainly of birch and willow, did not resist for long in the face of the frenzy of construction, heating and navigation of the newcomers - add to this that the sheep quickly took control of extensive pastures, and you will understand that the young shoots capable of anchoring themselves in poor and very eroded soil, of facing the wind and the cold, did not have much chance of regaining their place in the landscape, to the point that it is estimated that less than 1% of the territory was wooded in the middle of the 20th century.
The resulting awareness has led many individuals to replant trees, encouraged by a national program that also supports entire valleys. One often finds, at the bend in a barren lava heath, a few trees clustered around a farm, but also valleys of larches with an unexpected Vosges-like appearance.
Today, dozens of forestry associations are supporting reforestation projects across the country. This ambitious plan, which is beginning to reshape the landscape, is also one of the priorities of the National Climate Plan published in 2018, which aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 to meet the commitments made at COP21.
But even on a small scale, the mini-forest bordering the lake in the heart of Reykjavík offers a glimpse of the magnificence of the endless interplay of sun/mist/sunset. And as is often the case in Iceland, it's also the awareness of scale that becomes blurred, and a bark, examined closely, takes on the appearance of a mountain here, of a wetland there.

Subscriptions are open to contribute to the emergence of this wonderful project.

A grass carving its circular path through the lava. This is the image I retain from my meeting with Hervé Jezequel last April.

At first glance, one might think that this dance between mineral and plant can be found anywhere. But upon closer inspection, the nature of the soil leaves no doubt. It is lava. Therefore, a volcano. There are a thousand and one in the world, but this is Iceland. More precisely, Surtsey; a microscopic island that emerged off the coast of the Westman Islands following a volcanic eruption; an island that is gradually crumbling into the ocean, doomed to disappear in a few decades, and which Hervé Jezequel explored in the company of Icelandic scientists and ethnologist Vanessa Doutreleau for the beautiful book Surtsey, the shape of an island , which paradoxically offers an "ethnography of the uninhabited."

I have often had the opportunity to regret the heavy price paid for tourist success by Iceland, mainly through its ecosystem, but also its economic balance, the job market, and also the representation given to its landscapes, ultra-photographed, ultra-broadcast.

How many times have I looked away from my lens, knowing that there was material for a "nice photo" but that I had already seen it 10 times, 100 times.

This makes it all the more difficult to offer a singular perspective. With this grass, into which I project the metaphor of an obstinacy to defy the balance of power, with its images of matter whose scale could be the microscopic as well as the large landscape, it is this small miracle that Hervé Jézéquel achieves.

After Surtsey, he once again explored the Icelandic lands, getting as close as possible to their material, and this is the project of his new book, Materia Prima , which will be published in March 2025 by Atelier des Brisants, with texts by Françoise Paviot, critic, and Violaine Sautter, geologist. Subscription is open until October 22, 2024 on the publisher's website www.editions-atelierdesbrisants.com to contribute to the emergence of this beautiful project.

// Paris // from July 15 to September 20, 2024 //
// during the opening hours of the Monique et Myrtille café restaurant //
// 83 rue Orfila, Paris 20th (Gambetta - Pelleport) //

Ísland offers a selection of small volcanic formats, this motif being central in Icelandic artistic production as well as in the daily life of the inhabitants.



When she's not working at the National Theatre in Reykjavik, Mathilde Morant climbs erupting volcanoes to paint inks and watercolors in subtle shades of black and red.

If volcanoes are the backdrop for Ása Runars ' watercolors, sheep are the actors. Mischievous sheep frolicking on the slopes, chilly sheep huddled at their feet, romantic sheep enthroned on their summits. They are everywhere, just like there.

There are no fewer than four volcanoes present in Birgir Breiðdal 's paintings: lava for texture, ash mixed with resin for the shimmer of black, and colored pigments for contrast.

With Iceland boasting around thirty active volcanic systems (including the mischievous Eyjafjöll, which blocked air traffic in Northern Europe in 2010, and the more disturbing Fagradalsfjall, which has transformed Grindavík into a ghost town since last autumn), every turn or hiking trail allows you to discover a new peak, lava field, or crevasse created by the friction of the tectonic plates that cross the country.
The hardest part is to create an image that is not that of the postcards oversold by the tourist industry.
Hélène Tourbine 's photographs offer a reading shrouded in mist, playing with uncertain scales, abstract textures and shapes conducive to pareidolia.

The SAGAS exhibition ends on July 14 at 5 p.m., but the
Olivier Joly's visit to Morlaix on July 25 will be an opportunity to meet him
for those who missed his conference on April 17 or would like to
continue the conversation. He will be present from 2 p.m. for discussions
informal and the day will end with a store closing aperitif.
FREE ENTRANCE

Photographs from the exhibition.

In Iceland, the first day of summer is traditionally celebrated between April 19th and 26th with a festival called Sumardagurinn fyrsti – during which, to be honest, it can still be quite chilly.

On this occasion, the Ísland gallery is hosting the SAGAS exhibition by photographer Olivier Joly and meetings are being organized around his work and Icelandic literature, which is very present in the editorial news at the beginning of this year.

• Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m.

Evening of sharing around Icelandic literature

Les Déferlantes bookstore, 9, place de Viarmes, Morlaix

with Lénaïg Jézéquel (Les Déferlantes), Olivier Joly, Félicie Louf ( Locquire Writers' Circle - CEL), and Pascale Thomas (Ísland).

Icelanders don't just write depressing, snowy thrillers! Come discover the diversity of their literary output, recently translated authors, and literary greats through readings and discussions.

Free, reservation recommended by phone (0298630585) or by email (librairielesdeferlantes@hotmail.com).

• Saturday, April 27 at 5 p.m.

Four Seasons in Iceland: Meet photographer Olivier Joly , who will tell the story of his beloved country through a screening of images from his first book.

Island Gallery, 67 rue du Mur, Morlaix

Reservations recommended by email (galerie.island@protonmail.com).

Participation in the hat.

• Saturday, April 27 at 6:45 p.m.

Opening of the exhibition and signing of his book SAGAS .

Island Gallery, 67 rue du Mur, Morlaix

FREE ENTRANCE.

SAGAS, the book >>>

Interview with Olivier Joly >>>

Olivier Joly's website >>>

As part of a weekend

" It's poetic weather ."

organized with

the Déferlantes bookstore,

the gallery Le 6

and the Tannery

Scaldes, “atomic” poets, Björk… Icelandic poetry in constant eruption

From the skaldic tradition of the 10th century to the "atomic" movement that revolutionized the genre in the 1950s, poetry has always had a significant place in literary production in Iceland.

Neither marginalized nor frozen in tradition, it is still a very practiced, widely read and respected genre, capable of taking hold of all social and political debates (Birgitta Jonsdottir, founder of the Icelandic Pirate Party and parliamentarian, was already known as a poet), and of renewing again and again the relationship with nature.

• Ólöf Pétursdóttir , specialist in Celtic culture and modern and ancient Icelandic literature, translator (into French and Breton) of novelistic and poetic texts
• And Janick Moisan , cultural mediator, director and passionate islandophile

will alternate between readings of texts and discussions with the public on this very lively production.

Reservations recommended: galerie.island@protonmail.com

Event organized on the occasion of the Spring of Poets and the Book Month in Brittany.

"It's poetry weather" weekend organized by

• the Déferlantes bookstore,
• the gallery Le 6 ,
• the Tannery
• and Island .

• Friday, March 15, 2024 // 8 p.m.

Musical stroll with the group PAYANN , between a Persian instrument, the Santour of Pascal Maffre , and the guitar of Yann Baton - when two worlds meet and deepen.
In the hat.

Gallery Le 6 // 6 rue Haute - Morlaix // Contact >>>

• Saturday, March 16, 2024 // 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.**

Come listen and chat with Breton authors and publishers, and others, whose work I love!
A micro-poetry salon at Déferlantes with Benoit Colboc and Isabelle Sauvage publishing , Jenny Dahan and La Saillante publishing , David Grall and FOIN publishing.
An afternoon of readings and sharing around the thriving contemporary poetry scene, to highlight beautiful texts and great ideas...
Full program to be found soon.
Open to all.

Les Déferlantes Bookstore // 9 place de Viarmes - Morlaix Contact 02 98 63 05 85, Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. >>>

• Saturday, March 16, 2024 // 8 p.m.*

Reading evening as part of the “Printemps des Poètes”.
Everyone comes to share a text of their choice around the theme of Grace. A friendly and poetic atmosphere.
Evening open to all.
Free

Gallery Le 6 // 6 rue Haute - Morlaix // Contact >>>

• Sunday, March 17 // 2:45 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.**

Scaldes, “atomic” poets, Björk… Icelandic poetry in constant eruption.

From the skaldic tradition of the 10th century to the "atomic" movement that revolutionized the genre in the 1950s, poetry has always had a significant place in literary production in Iceland.

Neither marginalized nor frozen in tradition, it is still a very practiced, widely read and respected genre, capable of taking hold of all social and political debates (Birgitta Jonsdottir, founder of the Icelandic Pirate Party and briefly Prime Minister in 2016, was already known as a poet), and of renewing the relationship with nature again and again.

• Ólöf Pétursdóttir , specialist in Celtic culture and modern and ancient Icelandic literature, translator (into French and Breton) of novelistic and poetic texts
• And Janick Moisan , cultural mediator, director and passionate islandophile

will alternate between readings of texts and discussions with the public on this very lively production.

Ísland Gallery // 67 rue du Mur - Morlaix // Reservations recommended galerie.island@protonmail.com

• Sunday, March 17, 2024 // 5-7 p.m.

Did you say house?

Poems and excerpts from works by Ronsard, Henry VIII, Hugo, Berry, Perret, Tolkien and Brillat-Savarin.
Music by Praetorius, Goudimel, Purcell, Déodat de Séverac, Depoix and traditional tunes.
Emmanuelle Huteau, singing, clarinet, Renaissance bassoon.
Olivier Depoix, vocals, accordions, bagpipes.
In the hat.

• Meeting/reading with Klariz Bailleul around her book “The rain you forgot in my room”.
• Presentation of artists' books and some surprises.

The Tannery // 10 rue de la Tannerie - Plourin-lès-Morlaix // Contact >>>

*As part of the Spring of Poets

**As part of the Spring of Poets and Book Month in
Brittany
 

Necklaces and keychains inspired by Viking symbols, handcrafted in Borgarnes.

The jewels >>>

Urta Islandica is a family business that
makes herbal salts, teas, syrups and jams from
the riches of Icelandic nature. The gathering of herbs and
berries are handmade and the recipes draw on traditions,
without prohibiting innovations.

The range of salts >>>

The photographer delivers his view of the island's "highlands".

The interview with Olivier Joly >>>

The SAGAS book >>>

According to the label, it's too late. But labels be damned, there's still time to wish each other the best for this new year, and especially a little gentleness, adelphity, and serenity in this brutal world.

Ísland will make its modest contribution with poetry - a literary genre highly prized in Iceland - in March and the breath of the "highlands" captured by photographer Olivier Joly at the end of April.

Published in 2007, Between Heaven and Earth is the first volume
of a novel trilogy by Jón Kalman Stefánsson which enjoyed such success in
France that it gave rise to a radio soap opera. Mich Beyer, teacher and writer of
Breton language, and Ólöf Pétursdóttir, translator, culture specialist
Celtic and modern and ancient Icelandic literature, have signed a
Breton translation of the novel.

The Ísland gallery asked them about this work. >>>

Buy the book >>>

Initially a painter, Hekla Björk Guðmundsdóttir has since 1996 broadened her creative palette by working with wood, metal and linen and by expressing her fascination for the nature that surrounds her in sculptures and decorative objects.

His fearless sheep have sturdy legs made of recycled rebar; his puffins, crows and golden plovers combine perfect lines with the trace of the human hand that sculpted them.

Hekla also designs cushion covers in the form of tidy sheep or chaotic lava stones.

A few copies of The Little Book of Icelanders of Olden Times and The Little Book of the Hidden People are available in paperback and signed by the author, Alda Sigmundsdóttir.

This printing process transforms the photo into an optical illusion from every angle.

Come discover the musical continent behind Björk, Sigur
Rós and Ásgeir >>>

Reopening Friday, November 24 at 2 p.m. with the exhibition
Icelandic waves // Hélène Tourbine // photographs

I'm going to take a little tour of the Photographic Meetings
from Arles .

Mathilde Morant is an artist originally from Morlaix who has been based in Reykjavík, Iceland, for the past six years. Her artistic process is guided by a constant desire to explore isolated and difficult-to-access landscapes, then transcribe them through her drawings and paintings, mostly produced on location, outdoors.

Mathilde has thus experienced the most remote corners of this North Atlantic island, and when a volcano erupted in 2021 on the Reykjanes peninsula, it was the perfect opportunity to push this outdoor activity to the extreme.

read more >>>

When they pass by the gallery he runs in Reykjavik with his wife Ása , some tourists come in and ask "is that Soulages?" That's how Birgir and Ása recognize French people—when their accent hasn't already betrayed them. Not Pierre Soulages, but it's true that at first glance Birgir's painting can be reminiscent of him. In fact, he works with volcanic ash, which he leaves in the nuances of his darkness or confronts with flat areas of bold colors. A powerful technique, as much in the very small formats as in his very large canvases, including unusual long formats. Trained in architecture, a former football coach, Birgir is also a musician. He will be the first Icelandic artist exhibited at the gallery and will be present for the opening on July 22. His work is already visible in the shop with small formats.

The works of Birgir Breiðdal >>>

The works of Ása Runars >>>

Exceptional opening Wednesday June 21, 2023 from 7 p.m. for the music festival.

On June 17, inauguration from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the occasion of Icelandic National Day, which commemorates the founding of the Republic of Iceland on June 17, 1944 and its independence from Denmark.

On June 17, inauguration from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the occasion of Icelandic National Day, which commemorates the founding of the Republic of Iceland on June 17, 1944 and its independence from Denmark.

With a connection to Iceland for over 10 years, this photographer, who also specializes in architecture and urban planning, brings back from her wanderings on volcanoes almost abstract images of these ever-changing landscapes. She recently exhibited her photographs of the vibrant music scene in Paris under the title Icelandic Waves.

With a connection to Iceland for over 10 years, this photographer, who also specializes in architecture and urban planning, brings back from her wanderings on volcanoes almost abstract images of these ever-changing landscapes. She recently exhibited her photographs of the vibrant music scene in Paris under the title Icelandic Waves.