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A Snorri Brothers project documents regulars at a Reykjavik bar
BY: JEFF BEER PUBLISHED: MAY 22, 2008

It's difficult to sum up all that is the Snorri Brothers under the simple moniker "directing duo," as they seem to shift their shape to fit whatever artistic endeavor strikes their fancy. The new photo book, Barflies, from powerHouse Books, is a prime example. Taken in 1994, the collection of black and white portraits introduce us to the eclectic regulars of a bar called Kaffibarinn in Iceland's capital city Reykjavik. Of course, you already know the one named Bjöaut;rk. We spoke to Einar and Eidur Snorri about their latest effort. 

It seems you guys had a very specific and purposeful goal from the beginning. What sparked the idea for this project and what was the initial goal? 
EIDUR: I was experimenting in our studio and I did a self-portrait (which is in the book) and then when we were asked by the owner of this bar to do a series of portraits of some of the regular guests, we thought this look and technique would fit the subject perfectly. I remember we decided to only shoot one single frame of each person. We were not looking for the perfect frame but simply freezing the people in time in whichever way they happened to be at the given moment. 

Did you plan on holding on to the shots for so long before publishing them?
EINAR: We did at some point some years back talk about the idea of some day making a book out of this but in more of a fantasizing mode. I guess the time was never right until now. 

EIDUR: It is truly a miracle that they survived this long and didn't get lost somewhere. When we got the idea to create the book it took us awhile to find them. We finally found them all (in a box) wrapped up in toilet paper just the way we left them 14 years ago. 

Why document this group from such a specific time and place?
EIDUR: I think this is a great document of a very special people who shared a special place to meet and plot some master plans and, of course, to get fucked up. Most of these people were and are doing very inspiring things.