Every artistic success story can point to a 'big break', a moment in which vision and talent combine to create something totally new, that strikes the world with the force of epiphany, and causes others to think about their art in a whole new way. For Reykjavik, Iceland, natives Stefan Arni and Siggi Kinski, their 'big break' into the commercial arena was a 2000 Levi's Engineered Jeans spot for the Chiat-Day agency, in which they presented lush, moody photography animated in a sequence of looped stills, creating a fresh look unlike anything else on the airwaves.
Arni & Kinski are drawn to extremes - unlikely combinations that produce magical results. They began making a name for themselves co-directing award-winning music videos, television documentaries and commercials in their hometown of Reykjavik. With their increasingly high profile, Arni & Kinski formed a unique music-film collective called GusGus in 1995. GusGus's first venture was a short film entitled "Pleasure," written and directed by Arni & Kinski, coupled with an eponymous album. The group was signed by British record label 4AD. GusGus' first 4AD effort, "Polydistortion," was released internationally to wide acclaim in 1997.
From 1995-1999 GusGus traveled the world with a powerful stage show in which Arni & Kinski's projected visuals that melded with the group's music in a moving and mesmerizing whole. GusGus released a second album, "This is Normal," in 1999, to even greater critical and popular acclaim.
After two years at Public Works with producer Ellen Jacobson, Arni & Kinski moved with Jacobson to join HSI Productions in 2002. Having made a huge splash with their high-style work for Levi's Engineered Jeans (featured in Shots, Shoot Magazine, Boards Magazine and Campaign Screen), Arni & Kinski moved on to create signature spots for Hummer, Mercedes-Benz, GMC, Macy's, Budweiser, Coors, Dockers, Ikea, McDonald's, and many more; as well as music videos for Iggy Pop, The Used, Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode, Café Tacuba, and Travis, among others.
Still, their most moving and memorable work might be their videos for fellow Icelanders Sigur Ros. In these stunning visual masterpieces, Arni & Kinski blend emotionally powerful human storytelling with pure aesthetic beauty. In an online ranking of the 'Top 65 Music Videos of 2005', Arni & Kinski's video for 'Glosoli' by Sigur Rós ranked number one. The reviewer called watching 'Glosoli', "A life-changing experience."
Keep an eye on Stefan Arni and Siggi Kinski. They just might change your life, too.
