The Icelandic Punk Museum, Reykjavik: Be a rebel, pay a visit
If you think about it, a converted public toilet is the best place to house a punk museum. The Icelandic Punk Museum, Reykjavik, is one of those places that you accidentally stumble upon but then you can’t ignore. This also happened to me in Budapest too, when me and my friend wandered past a museum experience based around serial killers. I mean, how else would I have found that? I certainly wasn’t googling anything in that ballpark.
The Icelandic Punk Museum in Reykjavik is easy to spot but also has a very unassuming entrance. The hotel we were staying it was at one end of town, and then a short walk still. So to reach our original goal of locating the Hard Rock Cafe, it required a long but pleasant jaunt along the Laugavegur which took us right by steps leading down to the museum.
There was a sign outside saying something like “back in 10” and this I found immediately charming because it’s just not a practice often seen in the modern world of commerce and hospitality.
So, on our way back up the hill, we also took a trip down the steps to see what was rocking in the world of Icelandic Punk. It’s not a movement I ever knew existed (and please, see links below if you want to know more) but one I quickly learned had a rich and vibrant history! All I knew walking in was Bjork.
It’s definitely something you just have to see and experience for yourself. But I can only describe it as a Tumblr, shit post collage come to life. And it’s glorious!
One of my favourite exhibits was in the loos themselves. They have kept the cubicles in place and it actually creates a very personal and one-on-one viewing experience. The added graffiti (and some must be original, afterall, that’s what you do in a public lavatory, isn’t it? Scream at the universe that I WOZ ERE) and the wonky loo-roll holders couple nicely with the newly displayed punk trivia and memorabilia. It has an undeniable sense of “grunge” that you arguably could not authentically recreate in any other location.
A quiet visit; I think we had only a couple others exploring the exhibit while we were. This is a little sad because it’s a great installation. But also, fab because you won’t have to share it with too many people. It can be your little secret.
It’s wonderfully interactive too, one room has several pairs of headphones hanging that you can grab and listen to some music. The whole vibe of the place, although small, is that it has big bollocks. Take a chance, pay a small entrance fee, and learn something new. If I haven’t been able to sell you on it yet, then maybe, ma cherie, you’re not punk enough for it.
Written by Sarah
https://www.reykjavikboulevard.com/rvk-bvd-meets-legend/
https://theface.com/music/reykjavik-iceland-post-dreifing-music-anarcho-scene
