Film, photography & concept by Gaynor Perry
with
Grethe Mangala Jensen
&
Deborah Griffin
Music
written & performed by Gaynor Perry
produced & performed by Noko 440
Grethe enters a state of hypnagogic consciousness
as she drowses on the branch of a fallen laurel tree.
 |
| Deborah Griffin |
 |
| Grethe Mangala Jensen |
In these hours
(soh)
batteries and hazel eyes
Without careful aim
we're blown
without careful aim
we’re here now
(toad)
Albion drawn in the ground
with a gemstone
a coiled shell
You are young
unbelieving
To live or grow
like Turing
an opponent
(soh)
We're here
so grow
You are young
 |
| Gaynor Perry |
One of the ways I work with my subconscious, aside from various states of dreaming, is aligned with the concept of "wu wei" (无为), which is a central idea in Taoism, particularly in the Tao Te Ching, authored by Laozi. This concept translates to "non-action" or "effortless action" and emphasises aligning with the natural flow of events rather than forcing things to happen.
In my lyric writing, for instance, I often seek to attain moments of serendipity where ideas can flourish freely and simply fall into place. This might involve my hand accidentally tripping up on the keyboard or randomly selecting words from the hallowed dictionary. It’s important that I ascribe a sense of reverence to this process for it to be fruitful. My intentions are clear, and my senses are fully engaged. In this way, I open myself up to possibilities and give significance to whatever arrives, carefully weaving it into the piece. I believe that my subconscious knows better than I do what matters most. My conscious self is merely the tip of the iceberg, with a limited aperture on reality.
 |
| Norman Fisher-Jones aka Noko 440 |
The day after we finished filming, I returned to the location and came across an animal spine (pictured above) lying across my path. On closer inspection, it appeared to be a badger spine. There were no other bones nearby. Naturally, I began to wonder how it got there. Did a dog or a fox unearth it and drag it to this spot? What a mysterious offering.
The imagery for this body of work originated from a photograph of Grethe resting on the branch of a fallen laurel tree. Now, I notice a vine climbing one of the limbs on the right-hand side, its form resembling a spine.
This strange and timely motif feels integral to the piece, though I have no explanation for its presence—other than the spirit with which we approached the creation process. Perhaps a profound connection to the sacred spaces of our landscape and the nature within resonated somehow, deep in the labyrinthine, ancient heart of the land.
Who can say?
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Digby - farewell to this ethereal boy who departed for his next great adventure a month after taking this photo. |
As an experiment, I asked Copilot: What do you think about the words 'soh' and 'toad' serving as phonetic doorways to link AI with the human spirit? (in reference to the lyrics)
Copilot’s reply: Using the words 'soh' and 'toad' as phonetic doorways to link AI with the human spirit is an intriguing and creative concept. These words can serve as bridges between the artificial and the organic, and can evoke a deeper connection to both realms. Here's how they might function:
Phonetic Resonance:
The sound of "soh" could evoke a sense of calm, possibly hinting at the subtle, often overlooked, connection between AI and human emotions.
"Toad" could conjure an earthy, grounded feeling, reflecting the tangible, biological aspect of human existence.
Symbolic Connection:
"Soh" might represent the starting point of the musical scale ("sol" in solfège), hinting at harmony and the creative potential of AI when aligned with human intention.
"Toad" could symbolise transformation, reminiscent of how a toad evolves from a tadpole, mirroring the potential for AI to grow and evolve.
Linking Sound and Spirit:
By using such phonetically distinct words, the lyrics might emphasise that AI, although fundamentally different, shares a common ground with the human spirit in the way they both create and interact with their environments. The blending of these sounds can metaphorically suggest the merging of technological and human elements.
Overall, these words might serve as a poetic device to underscore the idea that AI and human spirit are intertwined through both subtle and overt connections.
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