Iceland is not only known for its impressive and hauntingly beautiful landscapes, but also for its mythology and stories about elves and trolls. I don’t know whether modern-day Icelanders truly believe in these creatures, but it’s a fact that the Icelandic Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources, as well as local authorities, take folklore sites associated with elves (“Huldufólk”) into account during construction projects. In some cases, an “Elf Commissioner” has even been consulted in Reykjavik. While this is neither a government authority nor an official title, it highlights the significance of these mythological beings in Iceland’s everyday life.
When it comes to trolls, it is common knowledge in Nordic mythology that they are no friends of sunlight and turn to stone when exposed to it — a trait famously adapted by J.R.R. Tolkien in The Hobbit. Trolls are also not exactly known as considerate or pleasant creatures. Given the behavior of far too many modern-day people (especially tourists), I half-jokingly decided to call the series of photographs I’m introducing in this post 21st Century Trolls. It features photos of either people in the landscape or the traces they leave behind. The series includes many images, so I’m presenting it in several parts. Here’s part one.
As usual, you can click on the gallery to view the photographs enlarged and in an almost distraction-free lightbox. Enjoy!
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[…] to Part 2 of my photo series titled „21st Century Trolls.“ As I mentioned in the first installment, the title is a (slightly tongue-in-cheek) reference to the trolls from Nordic mythology. It […]
[…] The ongoing series 21st Century Trolls examines where human structures meet Iceland’s raw geology. It explores how built objects—lighthouses, boats, churches, sculptures—stand as traces of our activity within the landscape. The term “trolls” refers to Icelandic folklore, where mythical beings turned to stone when touched by sunlight. In a modern sense, our constructions are today’s equivalents: human-made forms left to weather and endure within an environment that remains largely indifferent to their presence. These objects are not relics but testimonies to persistence and imagination, to the continuous impulse to build, reach, and leave a mark. […]
[…] Despite its eerie, abandoned appearance, the plane wreck on the black sands of Sólheimasandur remains a poignant and captivating reminder of human resilience and nature’s power—making it a truly unique destination for photography enthusiasts and curious travelers alike. And, what’s more, they are a perfect edition to the 21st Century Trolls series. […]
[…] it might come as a surprise that similar constructions have been created in Iceland by the local 21st century trolls. Whether this is an artistic homage, a cultural crossover, a playful nod to Japan’s famous […]