Historical Figure
Björk
b. 1965
Icelandic singer (born 1965)
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"Reading Festival MTV Interview" — August 26, 1995
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Biography
Björk Guðmundsdóttir, known mononymously as Björk, is an Icelandic singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, and actress. Noted for her distinct voice, three-octave vocal range, and eccentric public persona, she has developed an eclectic musical style over a career spanning five decades, drawing on electronica, pop, dance, trip hop, jazz, and avant-garde music. She is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of her era.
Timeline
The story of Björk, told in moments.
Formed the Sugarcubes with friends from the Reykjavik punk scene. Their debut single "Birthday" was named single of the week by Melody Maker. Bjork was 21.
Released her solo debut, also called Debut. Recorded in London with producer Nellee Hooper. "Human Behaviour" and "Big Time Sensuality" made her a global star. The album mixed electronic music, jazz, and Bollywood strings.
Starred in Lars von Trier's Dancer in the Dark and won Best Actress at Cannes. She'd composed the entire score. She later said the experience was so difficult she'd never act again.
In Their Own Words (20)
Declare independenceDon't let them do that to you...Start your own currencyMake your own stampProtect your language
"Declare Independence", 2007
It's interesting for me to bring up a girl. You go to the toy store and the female characters there—Cinderella, the lady in Beauty and the Beast—their major task is to find Prince Charming. And I'm like, wait a minute, it's 2005! We've fought so hard to have a say, and not just live through our partners, and yet you're still seeing two-year-old girls with this message pushed at them that the only important thing is to find this amazing dress so that the guy will want you. It's something my mum pointed out to me when I was little—so much [so] that I almost threw up; but, she's right.
From The Observer, March 13 2005 issue, 2005
I don't like records that are the same from beginning to end, that are too styled and slick. Everything is so designed and airbrushed and Botoxed, it makes us think, 'Oh, everybody's perfect except me. Everything's smooth except me.' But nothing is smooth.
Defending her song "Ancestors", which had been alleged to be "really hard to listen to". Newsweek, 6 September 2004., 2004
Everyone is bisexual: I’ve always had as many powerful, creative ladies in my life as I have men, and you could probably describe some of those relationships as romantic. I think everyone's bisexual to some degree or another. It's just a question of whether or not you choose to recognise it and embrace it. Personally, I think choosing between men and women is like choosing between cake and ice cream: You'd be daft not to try both when there are so many different flavours.
Diva magazine, October 2004, 2004
You have doneGood for yourselvesSince you left my wet embraceAnd crawled ashore…My sons and my daughtersHo-ohYour sweat is saltyI am why
"Oceania", 2004
Artifacts (15)
Ek och björk. Vår. (Karl Julius von Leypold) - Nationalmuseum - 181130
Karl Julius von Leypold
Jakob Björk - Countess Antoinetta Virginia Gyllenborg (1735-1761) - S 35 - Finnish National Gallery
Jakob Björck
Karin Boye, 1900-1941, gift med Leif Björk (Elsa Nilsson) - Nationalmuseum - 16263
Attributed to Elsa Nilsson
Jakob Björk - Countess Jacqueline Elisabet Gyldenstolpe - S 39 - Finnish National Gallery
Jakob Björck
Jakob Björk - Valtakunnanneuvos Ulrik Scheffer - S 38 - Finnish National Gallery
Jakob Björck
Jakob Björk - Eleonora Gustafa Bonde af Björnö - S-2007-73 - Finnish National Gallery
Jakob Björck
One of the greatest architectural experiences in my life.
d further inspiration. Fascinated by the way the Mayans built towards the sky to get closer to God, he commented that his time in Mexico was "One of the greatest architectural experiences in my...
If it grows naturally, the architecture will look after itself.
chitecture, comparing his approach to the growth patterns of nature. A design can grow like a tree, he explained: "If it grows naturally, the architecture will look after itself." == Sydney Opera...
flowers on the branch of a cherry tree, each turning towards the sun.
s a view of its own but enjoys the best possible conditions for sunlight and shelter from the wind. Utzon described the arrangement as "flowers on the branch of a cherry tree, each turning towards the...
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