Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Sprach- und literaturwissenschaftliche Fakultät - Nordeuropa-Institut

Mediävistische Vorlesung
Gastvortrag

Hannes Lárusson
Artist and Founder of Íslenski bærinn

The Beauty, Economy and Metaphysics of the Icelandic Turf House

The turf house heritage is undoubtedly one of the most neglected and undervalued parts of Icelandic culture and nearly unknown abroad. The Icelandic farmstead developed over the course of thirty generations, from relatively simple structures of the settlers to complex clusters of houses orbiting around the signifying and unique space of the central living room, the so-called baðstofa. These houses or spaces kept Icelanders alive through the centuries in a harsh and unforgiving environment and are arguably the most refined contribution of the artic to vernacular architecture; yet over 99% of these structures have been demolished through abandonment or destroyed with bulldozers. This presentation will articulate the fundamental elements that comprise the typical Icelandic turf farmstead or bær. Basic technical and material features will be explained but first and foremost the focus will be on the experience of the Icelandic farmstead or íslenski bærinn, its internal value and aesthetic message.

Der Vortrag wird auf Englisch gehalten.