Bjork

From Philosopedia

Björk (21 November 1965 - )

Björk Guðmundsdóttir was born in Reykjavik, Iceland. Björk means "a birch tree" in Icelandic (the meaning of Icelandic names is often transparent), cognate with Old English beorc and the modern English word. Though many English-speakers pronounce her name "Byork," a more accurate approximation would be "Byerk," which she has pointed out rhymes with "jerk." Guðmundsdóttir is pronounced roughly "GVUTH-muns-doh-t-ear", and means "Guðmundur's daughter." Björk's father, Guðmundur Gunnarsson, is a well- known labour leader in Iceland and was nationally recognized before his daughter became famous. Her mother's name is Hildur Rúna Hauksdóttir.

She studied classical piano as an elementary student in Reykjavik. When her teachers submitted a tape of her singing "I Love to Love" to Iceland's Radio One, it became a hit.

Her first album was released when she was 11. She had formed two bands by age 14. She sang in 1986 with an avante-garde pop band, The Sugarcubes, that became successful internationally. Bjork ventured on a solo career in 1992, which encompassed the dance and club culture, punk, jazz standards, and ballads.

She won a Best Actress award at Cannes for playing the protagonist in Dancer in the Dark (released in the United States in 2000), for which she also composed the score. Dancer also won Best Picture at Cannes.

To Les Inrockuptibles (16 June 1995), she said,

• I do not believe in religion, but if I had to choose one it would be Buddhism. It seems more livable, closer to men. I’ve been reading about reincarnation, and the Buddhists say we come back as animals and they refer to them as lesser beings. Well, animals aren’t lesser beings, they’re just like us. So I say fuck the Buddhists

She also has said, "If I get into trouble, there’s no God or Allah to sort me out. I have to do it myself."

In a 1994 HotPress, Björk pointed out that when the United Nations asked people from all over the world a series of questions, Iceland stood out for answering what people believed there, and 90% responded, “Ourselves.” She said she considered herself in that majority group.

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