How do you like Iceland?

“HOW DO YOU LIKE ICELAND?” is probably the most noted catch-phrase in Icelandic history. Only a handful of tourists have set foot on this Island of fire without having to answer that question from an overly excited local who then awaits the foreigner’s confirmation of the qualities and natural gifts possessed by this self-acclaimed best country in the world.But “HOW DO YOU LIKE ICELAND?” is also the name of a new web-based outlet that intends to work with, support and market Icelandic creation both domestically as well as internationally. We are starting out with t-shirts donning print-on slogans which all try to portray Iceland in a different light than it is accustomed to or just basically take the piss out of the nations bizarre distinctive features. There is, after all, so much more to Iceland than is showcased in the glossy image that is usually drawn up of this country and its inhabitants. We are not only the most beautiful women in the world. The strongest men alive. A unique natural bead awash in the most fresh and clean water in the universe. Not only the most formidable fishermen, a propellant economical phenomenon nor the owners of the best handball team on the globe relative to population. We are so many other things. Some good, others bad. However, believe it or not, neither the negative sides of Iceland nor the ridiculously tacky ones will disappear by us just not talking about them. We should not hide behind the perfect and shiny glossy image of “the best country in the world” but celebrate our quirks and rid us of the malformations.This line of clothing, our first, is thus an attempt to portray Iceland in new colors. It is also the beginning of something that we hope will evolve gradually. The t-shirts that we have on offer at this time are only the first step on our path as we fully intend to grow, expand and flourish in parallel to customer demand and commercial prosperity. And we intend to do this by working with the Icelandic public. By that we mean that it is our honest intention to offer a wider range of product categories of Icelandic designs and arts at every growing step, and hopefully we will be able to get as many Icelandic designers and artists, equally educated as well as unschooled, on board with us for the ride. There is no need for any form of specialized knowledge of the trade to get a place at the How Do You Like Iceland? boat. The only thing that is required is an idea that is somehow related to Iceland and/or the Icelandic public. There are no other restraints on our behalf and we vastly encourage designers and artists to let their imaginations go berserk. It is our belief that in a democratic society all voices should be heard. We want to create a foundation for that. This is our voice. I hope you like it The Icelandic flag... is a stunning flag. And looks exceptional on a t-shirt.
The aluminum plant in Straumsvik...Is the first aluminum plant that rose in Iceland. Its red and white aluminum-oxide tanks are also a personification of sort for the trend that followed, as aluminum melting has become something of a national sport in Iceland. From 1990 the annual melting has risen from 88.000 tons to an estimated 1 million plus when pending projects are finalized. That will make Iceland one of the biggest manufacturers of aluminum in Europe. To stand on the duck… is something that Icelanders say when thrilling things happens to them. When we get excited we stand on the duck. Why would anybody stand on the duck? It is neither rational nor a loving gesture to do something like that. Don’t stand on the duck. Stand on something else. Enlightenment is necessary. Necktie t-shirt… Every boy, man and mummy knows the hassle that accompanies a necktie. To tie it is a difficult, complex and boring procedure. It is also a displeasing accompaniment of many extremely tedious social obligations. The matter has now, however, been resolved. The pain has been diminished. A painkiller for the soul has been invented! A necktie and a t-shirt! A necktie t-shirt! All these overbearing obligatory functions will finally be a little more tolerable in a splendid necktie t-shirt from How Do You Like Iceland? I come completely from the mountains... Is the English version of the Icelandic saying ,,hann kemur algjörlega af fjöllum.” It is meant to imply a lack of knowledge or something that baffles you, as if the one in question had been staying up in the mountains far away from man and society for a long time. Which is sort of strange. He doesn’t walk whole to the forest… Is the English version of the immortal Icelandic catch-phrase “hann gengur ekki heill til skógar.” We do not know how someone can walk not whole to the forest, nor do we know why being whole when you walk to the forest is such an issue. And above all, there are no real forests in Iceland so this just does not make any sense. But it’s funny though Valgerður Sverrisdóttir... Is Iceland’s former minister of industry and trade and the current foreign minister. She is also an aluminum-superhero of sort. If Valgerður wore a cape it would probably bear the logos of foreign aluminum mega-corporations. She is also just so fine. So fine that she deserves more than anyone to donn a t-shirt. Really, Valgerður screams to be on a t-shirt. Pokkatott, ekkert hommastöff, bara strákadjók... Or something like that. Pokatott is the act to thread the infamous green-mixed-candy bag available in every kiosk in Iceland over a penis and then feast on it. This interaction has nothing to do with homosexuality (hommastöff) even if the giver and the receiver are of the same gender. It is just a boyish gag (strákadjók.) To invite the sin to drink coffee... Is somtehing that we should not do. We should hate it. At least that is what Icelandic cult-preacer Gunnar Þorsteinsson says. Kanamella (Yankee-hooker)... Is the theoretical term for Iceland’s relations with the US over the last 60 odd years. The US give, Iceland receives. In that sense this is clearly a unique and special relationship just as our impertinent rulers preach so frequently. Þjóðahátíð… Is all about hot beer (heitur bjór), cold food (kaldur matur) and trashy sex (sjoppulegt kynlíf). This item is available in red and black. Enjoy. Kvíabryggja... Is a holiday resort for upper class criminals. In theory it is a prison but in action it is a place where upscale people are sent when they finally gross out the public in such a way that there is no other alternative than to lock them up. They then play golf, take long hikes or mould sculptures until its time to rejoin society and let the corruption flourish once more. At the same time the bolur (a common man) has to do his time at notorious Litla Hraun.When Icelanders want to underline how lightweight and inconsequential something is they say that it is neither bird nor fish. These two historical feeders of the nation appear as the incarnation of something that is worth something in modern discussions. If you are neither bird nor fish, you are nothing. But how can one attain this perfect condition? Can one be both bird and fish, and rule over others that are neither? Can the dream become a real? Sure, why not? With the help of How Do You Like Iceland? one can become both bird and fish. Or a fish with a birds head. A cod with the head of a puffin. Attain the perfect condition. Dress oneself in the answer to the meaning of life. And be.
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