ART AFICIONADO

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Vök - Waterfall

Music Appreciation

I first discovered the Icelandic dream pop and indietronica band Vök during the height of the COVID pandemic. Their sound—an atmospheric blend of ethereal synths, ambient textures, and delicate vocals—immediately brought to mind the moody elegance of Portishead.

Vök was formed in Reykjavík in 2013 by singer Margrét Rán Magnúsdóttir and saxophonist Andri Már Enoksson. They rose to prominence after winning Músíktilraunir, Iceland’s annual music competition. Since then, the band has evolved into a trio, now composed of Margrét Rán, Einar Stefánsson, and Bergur Dagbjartsson.

“Waterfall,” a standout track from their 2015 EP Circles, features shimmering synth layers and Margrét Rán’s haunting vocal delivery. The lyrics touch on emotional fragility and the yearning for connection, while the song’s ambient-electronic arrangement highlights Vök’s distinctive sonic identity.

The accompanying music video, directed by Skapti Magnús Birgisson and Baldvin Albertsson, was filmed in black and white and features dancer Þórey Birgisdóttir performing in a dimly lit room—visually reinforcing the song’s introspective tone and emotional depth.

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://imvdb.com/n/vok

https://nialler9.com/vok-bring-the-icelandic-synth-cool-with-waterfall/

https://www.vice.com/en/article/premiere-vok-waterfall/

https://www.stereogum.com/1864365/vok-waiting-video-stereogum-premiere/news/

https://atwoodmagazine.com/vok-2017-interview-figure/

https://www.subvrtmag.com/spend-the-love-with-mystical-icelandic-electro-pop-vok/

https://indiepulsemusic.com/2019/02/10/icelandic-electro-dream-pop-band-vok

https://americansongwriter.com/meaning-behind-tlcs-waterfalls

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: The Time Tunnel, Issue #1 (1967)

Source:

https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=193741

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

1 Seaport

In the February 2025 issue of The New Yorker, Eric Lach published a compelling article about the troubled rise—and literal tilt—of 1 Seaport, a luxury condo tower in Lower Manhattan.

Touted as the first all-glass residential skyscraper on the downtown waterfront, 1 Seaport drew interest from celebrities and international buyers, fueled by an aggressive marketing campaign led by real estate broker Fredrik Eklund. But behind the glossy renderings and sales pitches, the project was riddled with problems. In a cost-cutting move, developers opted for a “soil improvement” foundation rather than deep pilings—an unconventional choice that ultimately caused the building to lean by three inches to the north.

The situation worsened in 2017 when a 44-year-old construction worker, Juan Chonillo, died after falling from the 29th floor. His death, caused by poor safety practices, led to criminal charges against the subcontractor and brought construction to a halt. Legal battles quickly followed, with the developer Fortis Property Group, contractor Pizzarotti, and various subcontractors locked in lawsuits, each blaming the others for the structural flaws and delays.

Now partially completed and visibly leaning, 1 Seaport has earned the nickname “New York’s Leaning Tower.” More than $250 million has been spent, yet the building remains unfinished and vacant—an unmistakable symbol on the skyline and a stark reminder of how ambition, when mismanaged, can quite literally go sideways.