Trips for Nature Connection.
iPhone photo diary from our Iceland Travels.
Knot Waste
Iceland
Seydisfjordur
Our Iceland journey ended in Seyðisfjörður, a small Eastfjords village where art and nature are deeply intertwined. Known as one of Iceland’s strongest artistic communities outside Reykjavík, the village is filled with colourful wooden houses, murals, sculptures and creative installations, while its spectacular setting between steep mountains, waterfalls and the fjord provides constant inspiration for artists.
Seyðisfjörður also provides a powerful reminder of the forces shaping Iceland’s landscape. In December 2020, days of exceptional rainfall triggered a series of devastating mudslides and landslides, destroying or damaging more than 10 buildings and leading to the evacuation of the town. Today, the village’s vibrant art scene exists alongside this dramatic natural environment, creating a fascinating example of how people, creativity and the Icelandic landscape are closely connected.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland -Outside of Reykjavík, it's known as one of the strongest art communities in Iceland.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Seyðisfjörður has about 650 to 700 residents. Fishing was the main job here for a long time, but nowadays many work in tourism, arts, and local services.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - It's a small town in East Iceland, nestled at the end of a narrow fjord surrounded by steep mountains and waterfalls.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Steep mountains around the fjord mean residents sometimes face natural hazards like landslides during heavy winter weather or severe rain.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Local marine litter mainly consists of plastic and commercial fishing gear like lines and nets. Organizations like Skálanes Nature & Heritage Centre run local beach surveys and cleanup efforts to track pollution sources and protect the coast.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Dieter Roth, the German/Swiss/Icelandic artist was a resident Artist for many years. This attracted many other creatives to the small town.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Common local wildflowers include Arctic thyme, pink moss campion, blue harebells, and white mountain avens. Originally imported from Alaska, Nootka lupines cover the valleys during June and July.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Protective structural barriers have been built around vulnerable slopes on Mount Bjólfur to protect the town from recurring snow avalanches and debris flows.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Must see things in the area include the contemporary Skaftfell Art Center, the mountainside Tvísöngur Sound Sculpture, local galleries, studios, and the iconic rainbow street leading to the blue wooden church.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Art is often made by upcycling local waste materials.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - The landslide in Seyðisfjörður was the largest landslide to have damaged an urban area in Iceland. Extreme rainfall and high winds contributed to mudslides. Several wooden and residential structures collapsed, were swept off their foundations, or were buried under tons of mud and debris.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Plans for a long-discussed Fjarðarheiðargöng mountain tunnel to Egilsstaðir were delayed in the national transport plan, prioritising alternative regional fjord connection options.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - The town functions as a creative hub for East Iceland, hosting the annual LungA Art Festival for youth and creative workshops.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - In December 2020, the town suffered severe weather-triggered ground erosion and massive mudslides. It destroyed more than 10 buildings, and forced a complete emergency evacuation.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Residents often apply biophilic and site-sensitive principles. Using local materials, timber-frame structures blend into the sloping fjord terrain, and are surrounded by greenery.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - One of our nature crafts inspired by the Icelandic landscape.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - The village is where travellers take the Norröna Ferry between Scandinavia and Iceland.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Towards the port is a hub of reclaimed structures, repurposed as shops, cafes, and galleries.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - If the Artists are there, it's possble to get a personal, guided tour for a small fee.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Preserved timber buildings date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Norwegian fishermen built up the local herring industry.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - The Joystick gallery is famous for showcasing distinctive art pieces and items crafted from trash, discarded materials, and items found in local nature.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Skaftfell Art Center is actually the regional visual art center of East Iceland, fostering and presenting contemporary art on an international level... This however, is just a pic of another creative building!
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - There were no serious injuries or casualties during the mud slide. Officials coordinated permanent housing solutions and re-locations for displaced residents, alongside ongoing safety studies and landslide barrier installations to protect the area from future weather extremes.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Every sculpture and display inside is made from recycled junk or natural items scavenged around the Seyðisfjörður Fjord.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - A 'Sit Spot' helps reset your focus and calm your mind without needing strenuous exercise. Spending just 10 to 20 minutes sitting quietly in a natural setting lowers stress hormones, reduces mental fatigue, and improves your mood.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Exposure to natural environments has been linked to numerous physical and mental health benefits, including reduced stress, improved mood, enhanced cognitive function.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Trees are mostly found as planted ornamentals or small groupings near town buildings rather than wild forests.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Run by artist Laddi, Joystick is an art gallery located in Seyðisfjörður in East Iceland.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - The town offers plenty of open, dog-friendly nature trails and scenic walking paths.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - The bright orange "moss" seen on rocks and old walls around Seyðisfjörður in Iceland is actually a crust-forming or foliose orange lichen.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - Colorful street art is often nestled against a dramatic fjord backdrop.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - The area is filled with local Artisans selling curated Icelandic design, wool, and ceramics.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - A resident's 'Sit-Spot'. Spending just 10 to 20 minutes sitting quietly in a natural setting lowers stress.
Copyright Knot Waste: Seyðisfjörður, Iceland - The orange patches come from lichens thriving on the wet, mineral-rich coastal and waterfall cliffs. We think it's a natural pattern that could easily inspire some art. It's no wonder the area is so creative.