Witnessing a Lavafall Triggers Innovation: Ragnhildur Águðsdóttir, Known as LadyLava, Reveals the Birth of LAVA SHOW
Witnessing the lavafall during the Fimmvörðuháls eruption left a lasting impression on Ragnhildur Ágústsdóttir and her husband Júlíus Ingi Jónsson. The sight of nature's raw power, the mesmerizing flow, and the sheer scale of the lavafall sparked the inspiration for LAVA SHOW. This innovative live performance, co-founded by Ragnhildur, recreates volcanic eruptions using real lava, providing an immersive experience for audiences.
The Birth of LAVA SHOW
As Ragnhildur recalls, "Observing the lava at Fimmvörðuháls was nothing short of awe-inspiring for us. The natural spectacle left an indelible mark, prompting us to recreate that experience, offering audiences the chance to witness the power of flowing lava up close."
Mastering the Art of Lava Control
Bringing a live lava show to life posed numerous challenges, particularly ensuring the safety of the audience while maintaining the spectacle. Ragnhildur explains, "The crux was balancing the show's spectacle with maintaining safety. Our journey involved inventing and refining methods to create and control lava flow, managing its intense heat, and ensuring a safe experience." Extensive testing, custom-built equipment, and collaboration with experts in engineering, geology, and safety were key to overcoming these hurdles.
A Century-Old Lava Story
The lava used in their shows comes from the 1918 Katla eruption, a historical event with personal connections for Ragnhildur and her family. The basaltic tephra is carefully prepared through heating it to temperatures similar to those during a volcanic eruption, enabling ancient lava to transform back into its molten state, creating a link to Iceland's volcanic past.
]); Parenthood and Passion
The diagnosis of their sons' autism led Ragnhildur and Júlíus to pause their LAVA SHOW project, focusing on supporting their sons. However, their sons' resilience ignited their passion for the project once more, propelling them to persevere in the face of challenges.
Crafting Unique LAVA SHOW Products
Every item offered by LAVA SHOW is handmade using authentic lava sourced from their shows, combined with high-quality materials like silver and stainless steel. Some items are even crafted from obsidian obsidian, a treasured material in Iceland, handcrafted by their talented staff.
International Acclaim and Inspiration
Since the inception of LAVA SHOW in Vík in 2018 and the expansion to Reykjavík in 2022, feedback from both locals and international visitors has been overwhelmingly positive. Ragnhildur shares, "Witnessing the impact of the show and the emotional connections made has been incredibly rewarding, especially as we continue our journey abroad."
The LAVA SHOW Odyssey
Balancing parenthood, running a start-up, and at one point living apart, Ragnhildur and Júlíus have boldly embarked on a LAVA SHOW journey that has tested their resilience, while their sons serve as constant reminders of why they chose this path. Administering practical and romantic advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, Ragnhildur notes, "Expect everything to take longer than anticipated, and make sure you're committed to your business partnership. Embrace the ride—it'll be epic!"
- Ragnhildur Ágústsdóttir and her husband Júlíus Ingi Jónsson, inspired by a lavafall during the Fimmvörðuháls eruption, co-founded LAVA SHOW, a live performance recreating volcanic eruptions for audiences using real lava.
- Mastering the art of lava control was a significant challenge for LAVA SHOW, with Ragnhildur and her team inventing and refining methods to create, manage, and control the lava flow and heat while ensuring audience safety.
- The lava used in LAVA SHOW performances comes from the 1918 Katla eruption, a historical event with personal connections for Ragnhildir and her family, who carefully prepare the basaltic tephra to transform it back into its molten state.
- Despite pausing their LAVA SHOW project to focus on supporting their sons living with autism, Ragnhildur and Júlíus rekindled their passion and persevered, citing their sons' resilience as a driving force.
- Crafting unique LAVA SHOW products, each made with authentic lava from their shows combined with premium materials like silver and stainless steel, the brand has created lasting connections with both local and international audiences.
- Since launching in Vík in 2018 and expanding to Reykjavík in 2022, LAVA SHOW has garnered widespread acclaim, with Ragnhildur and Júlíus embracing the journey ahead, sharing romantic and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs—expect the ride to be epic!
