Sensual Nature and Volumen
Fred
I had not seen so many of Bjork's videos until now. Volumen proves two
things to me about Bjork via a common thread in nearly all of the visual
metaphors contained in these videosn:
1. She is a transcendentalist; that is, she repeatedly expresses the
concept that pure "animal" nature is on a higher spiritual plane than
any simple religious concept that would have mankind, alone, divine.
2. She is an agnostic by nature: a sensualist explorer. This probably
explains why she is so attracted to directors who prefer surreal images
and experimental styles.
These videos were all daring in their own way but I believe the two
videos that best support theory #1 is Bachelorette and Joga.
In Bachelorette, Bjork suggests that even her own fame and celebrity is
an illusion that will eventually be swallowed up by the awesome power of
"pure nature" in the end. And in Joga, the whole Bjork persona is
subverted to being just a tiny, minor character in a video that stars,
instead, a majestic abstract landscape that grows and splits open and
almost comes alive.
This landscape exists both outside herself and deep within herself. It
is her essence.
As for theory #2, just watch when (in Possibly Maybe) she explores that
powdery substance on the floor of her room with her whole body and,
then, her tongue. She not only studies a strange and foreign substance,
she tastes it and revels in it.
Like it or not, Bjork's videos (as well as her music and lyrics) are
teaching us her own personal religion. And that religion revolves
around sensual exploration and the triumph of pure nature above and
beyond the illusion that humanity rules (which is transcendentalism).
Feel free to add your comments on what you think Bjork is expressing in
her videos....
She is an important artist.
FRED of LA
who reminds all my friends that everything stated here is not meant to
offend, but only my opinion intended to provoke intelligent discussion
of Bjork.