Roots of the Runtur: Deluxe Limited Edition

Rob Hornstra

"Roots of the Rúntur," published in 2006 by Rob Hornstra. This limited edition title is limited to 20 copies and includes a SIGNED, numbered print. The color print is printed on paper measuring 14.5 x 10.75 inches, and the image measures 12.5 x 8.75 inches. This first edition, first printing of "Roots of the Rúntur" includes a SIGNED, numbered copy of the book. Both the book and the print are housed inside a Styrofoam fish box which measures 15.5 x 11.5 inches. The hardcover book features pictorial boards with no dust jacket, as issued, and contains 112 pages with color illustration throughout. It measures 8 x 10 inches and features text in Dutch and English. Rob Hornstra, given the chance to work in Iceland, decided that instead of looking at the land's natural beauty as so many photographers before him have done, he would examine the local culture. Long home to a robust fishing industry, Iceland now faces an uncertain future with fishing quotas driving down wages and discouraging young people from entering the field which has been taken up mostly by immigrants. Hornstra's photographs document this phenomenon and so much more. The Rúntur referred to in the title is the name for the ring-shaped roads which encircle Iceland's small fishing villages. The village youth have taken to circling around these roads, living their lives isolated within their vehicles. This is a wonderful book exploring Iceland's recent history and where its future is headed, featuring text from the Artist discussing the matter.

In the past twenty years, the fishing industry in Iceland has changed thoroughly. A system of quotas was introduced determining the amount of fish that is allowed to be caught. This lead to an industrialisation of the fleet in order to be able to compete on the world market. The traditional craft of fishing gave way to modern mass production. This more thorough industrialisation in the fishing industry changed the country and its people. A job in this industry is no longer popular among Icelandic youths. They move away from the desolate fishing villages in great numbers. Immigrants from Eastern Europe and Asia fill the gap the Icelanders leave behind and work in this formerly traditional, Icelandic sector. The older people who stay behind, see how their local environment is changing and long for the past. They are severely bothered by the lack of interest in local culture and history shown by the Icelandic youth and the newcomers. For teenagers, the villages provide little entertainment. The car is their social gathering. In their cars they talk, listen to music, drink, smoke and flirt with each other. For hours on end they drive around in the same small circle through the village. The circle is often no larger than 500 meters and it is the same circle their grandparents used to walk: the Rúntur.