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INTRODUCTION // CORRESPONDENCE // GALLERY // INTERVIEWS // MEDIA |
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We all know that art is not truth. Art is a lie that makes us realize
the truth. Without lies humanity would perish of despair and boredom. Death smiles at us all. The only thing we can do is smile back. There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are
well written, or badly written.
VAIN, THE LIFE OF WHOM WE MIGHT HAVE BEENLately, it seems everybody wants to know why we decided to make something as unconventional as Vain. In case the quotes listed above have failed to answer this question, I can think of four reasons; 1. We always loved a good conceptual album. 2. We believe that a musician (or any artist, for that matter) should always try to re-invent himself, to broaden his versatility by being - if necessary - incoherent and irresponsable. This view may sound somewhat anachronistic and in stark contrast with the logic and demands of the music industry, but that's the way we feel. The moment you stop taking risks you cease to exist as an artist and become an artisan. In any form of art, that's the closest to a bureaucrat you'll ever get. 3. We always loved a good hoax. The kind of hoax that deals with a social taboo (in this case, death). The kind of hoax that may be perceived as morally questionable and thus provoke reactions that tell us more about their authors than the discussed matter. The kind of hoax that exposes a subject where public opinion relies on cultural or social dogmas rather than personal contemplation or - in many cases - common sense. And, last but not least, a hoax that is essentially fun. 4. We also wanted to see if there is any truth in the notion that public perception of an artists work changes (or better yet improves) after his death. This theory proved to be accurate. The amount of attention, scrutiny and sympathy the public devoted to Vain's life and work was astounding. This twisted form of artistic necrophilia is beyond doubt ridiculous - death can hardly improve the quality of one's work - but none the less true. It is as though death gives a better perspective on an individual's life and work. Strangely and sadly enough, death can be considered as the most fair and objective critic of all. However, to consider Vain as merely a hoax or an unconventional social
experiment is superficial. To us, this project is extremely personal.
It covers years of musical, literary and fine arts work. It exposes
the dreams of our past, our unease with the present and a potential
future. What made Vain so unsettling and realistic is not the fiction,
it is the large amount of factual truth in it. In the words of W. B.
Yeats: "I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread carefully
because you tread on my dreams.1"
1 W. B. Yeats; Aedh wishes for the Cloths of Heaven. Yeats, W. B. 1899. The Wind Among the Reeds
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VAIN TRIBUTE SITE // SILENCE HOMEPAGE // CONTACT |
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