Delving Into The Themes Behind As The Dust Settles

For those whom haven't seen my post over on The Will To Power about the artwork I did for The Ocean Doesn’t Want Me’s second album “As The Dust Settles”. Here are the explanations regarding the photos.

By now most of you know the concept behind the album, for those who don’t, here’s a quick rundown: The songs of “As the dust settles” refer to seven characters attending the funeral of a deceased, a friend, a husband, a father, an adulterer, an acquaintance, and his origin. The seven songs are paired as well, considering the similarities and differences between the characters. 1 and 7, 2 and 6, 3 and 5, whilst 4 stands alone.

I initially had this “grand” idea of setting up this whole funeral scene with all the characters, but quickly found out that it would be a huge task and that it wasn’t really what the guys wanted; they wanted something more “organic” to put it in simpler terms. So back to the drawing board it was for me.

I then tried thinking of it from the perspective of each character at the funeral.

1. The Deceased Father – Roots Point The Way

I saw the father as the “Cornerstone” of the  household. They’re the ones that provide and take care of the family (if you look at it from an angle where households used to be that way). It didn’t necessarily tie in with the track title, but it did with the character. In this case the cornerstone has been chipped away, damaged and broken and signifying that it (he) is no longer there.

2. A Friend – Van Eyck

The other concept behind the album involved “The Ghent Altarpiece“. It’s a 15th century polyptych panel painting done by Hubert Van Eyck and finished by his younger brother Jan after his death. I did a post on it here. Please read it for a little more info. So, the concept behind it was that; in this scenario, Van Eyck is considered a friend of the father, but in actuality he is an “outsider”. He has no relationship with the deceased and is merely an outside observer. I chose this photo, because it created some “mystery” in the sense that there’s a pathway that leads your eyes between the trees and then it disappears between them, leading you to believe that you know the character, but only to come to a dead end as to who he (Van Eyck) really is.

3. The Wife – Dune Movement

The next photo I chose as The Wife. What I like about is; the two opposing sides of the photo. The calm and that chaotic. She was estranged from her husband and doesn’t really mourn his loss. I like to think that underneath all her calm; that inside her some sort of emotion must have been stirring, hence the chaos on the other side. Like, somehow there was still a love for him, buried deep inside.

4. The Son -  This Castle Stands Alone

I got this photo actually whilst I was doing some “formal” work. I snuck away to get some breathing room whilst the business men and women were boozing it up. The son is alone in all this. His father (the person he looked up to) has passed away and he feels he has to be the “man of the house” now. There’s a feeling of separation in the photo.


5. The Mistress – Property Line

Her one true love has died and she has real sorrow and mourning, but cannot show it as the other characters do. So, she is alone in this and feels removed. I like how claustrophobic the photo feels. Even though she’s all by herself, it feels like there is hope for her at the end of this hole she finds herself in. It’s just going to take time to claw herself out from it.


6. The Priest – Millais



He is there to do his “job”. Only connecting with the characters for as long as the funeral lasts. There are six “main trees” (they present each character) except the priest. In this case You are the priest and you’re observing from the outside.
 
7. The Earth – Until Our Mouths Are Filled With Earth

Last, but not least is The Earth. Now I know some of you might think, “why didn’t he use this as the first track’s artwork”. The thought had crossed my mind, but the cornerstone just suited the character of the father better. This was probably the photo I had the least doubt over. Not much to explain here. To me it represents life. It (the album) has come full circle.

So, that is an explanation to why I chose what I chose and the ideas behind the photographs. This is just how I personally see them and I’m sure different people will understand and see them differently than I do and I would like to know what you think (whether you love or hate it).

I’m really proud of this work and super stoked to have been a part of this process.
Thanks to Beastie, CF and Robin.

Thanks for reading