The Veldt

Author

xiouping
is a new genres California based artist who resides in the Sequoias and in Venice beach 

The Veldt, a band known for their ethereal and futuristic sound, has not released an album in 24 years. Despite this, their music continues to resonate with listeners, piercing their souls with its dynamic vibrations. As a timeless and ageless force in soulgaze and Afro futurism. The Veldt has maintained their relevance and influence over the years.


With each note they play, The Veldt manages to stir up emotions and reignite a love for rock music in their listeners. Their music acts as a catalyst, bringing a fresh energy and passion to the genre.


As a director and artist, my goal in creating "Sweeter" was to challenge and engage viewers by exploring complex and intellectually stimulating ideas through the medium of film. One of the central concepts I sought to explore was the idea of double consciousness, as first articulated by W.E.B. Du Bois in his classic work "The Souls of Black Folk." In the video, I used the visual metaphor of twins to represent the duality of this concept, in which the individual is constantly torn between two different identities and ways of being in the world.


In addition to this, I also sought to capture the idea of transformation and metamorphosis through the use of visual effects that show flowers growing backwards and returning to the earth, undergoing a reverse metamorphosis. This transformation can be seen as a metaphor for the human experience, as we are born, grow old, and eventually return to the womb of the earth, in a constant cycle of rebirth and renewal. The blurred and unclear nature of this transformation is meant to reflect the complexity and multifaceted nature of these ideas.


Another important concept I wanted to explore in "Sweeter" was the idea of "selfie consciousness" as discussed in Malik Gaines' essay "Quadruple Consciousness of Nina Simone." Gaines argues that in an age of social media and the proliferation of the "selfie," we are increasingly debauched and addicted to the self, creating a culture that is both self-indulgent and self-obsessed. Through the use of twins and other visual elements, I hoped to capture the complexity and multifaceted nature of this concept, and to encourage viewers to think more deeply about the ways in which we all navigate our own identities and relationships to the world around us.


I am beyond excited to share "Sweeter" with you on January 30th, 2023, and I hope that it will inspire you to consider these complex stimulating ideas in your own life and work. The themes of double consciousness, transformation, and "selfie consciousness" are explored through thought-provoking imagery, and I believe that the result is a video that will leave a lasting impression on all who watch it. Mark your calendars for January 31st, 2023 and indulge in "Sweeter."