NEEDLE WITHOUT THREAD: DISSECTING THE VOID OF MODERNITY
EYES WITHOUT GAZE
AUG 2023
EXPLORING // DISSECTING
THE EXPERIENCE OF MEANINGLESSNESSLESS IN
META MODERNITY,
& THE NATURE OF PERCEPTION THROUGH A FILM SCORE
PART 2
CRAFTING THE SONIC LANDSCAPE
WHAT DOES TRUTH SOUND LIKE
…& FOR WHO?
In our quest for truth, we often find ourselves dissecting layers of reality.
Is it the pursuit of specificity in modernity? Or the unraveling of nested complexities like Russian dolls?
Is our understanding of reality merely a series of specific interpretations, each more refined than the last?
What tools, like the needle, serve as metaphors in this exploration? And when does a tool transcend its original purpose?
This score delves deep into the paradoxes of modernity, challenging the audience to confront and question their own beliefs.
The sonic landscape is a character in itself, echoing the themes of the film and resonating with the audience's own experiences.
Is the needle, devoid of its thread, a representation of a medium interrogated for its purpose? Or is it a metaphor for vindication, a tool to avenge those stripped of their narratives?
The "Eyes Without Gaze" mirrors this concept, questioning the nature of perception and the stories we tell ourselves.
THE NATURE OF PERCEPTION // TRUTH
How do we perceive the world around us? Through our eyes, which are often seen as the most trusted of our senses.
Yet, how reliable is sight? In the legal world, we rely on "eye witnesses," but there's no equivalent for other senses.
The film plays with the idea of perception, challenging the audience to question their own beliefs and understandings.
By exploring themes like the nature of truth, the role of morality, and the concept of heaven and hell, the film invites the audience to embark on a journey of self-discovery.
THE MUSIC AS A CHARACTER
The music in the film is not just a backdrop; it's a character in itself.
From dreamy shoegaze vibes to intense climactic moments, the score is a reflection of the film's themes and the audience's emotions.
By incorporating elements of hyperpop, alchemy, and even references to popular culture, the music becomes a bridge between the film and the audience.
EYES WITHOUT GAZE // NEEDLE WITH NO THREAD
What is the purpose of a needle without its thread in the realm of storytelling? Does it symbolize the deconstruction of classic modern narrative structures, or is it a tool to challenge and redefine // REFINE them?
The film plays with the idea of purpose, meaning, and the nature of stories. It delves into a Russian poem, where the needle, buried deep within layers like a Russian doll, emerges as a symbol of vindication and revenge. By incorporating elements that resonate with the hollowness of a needle without its thread, the music becomes a bridge between the film and the audience, echoing their own search for meaning also, using the metaphor of a needle without its thread to challenge and redefine classic narrative structures.
Metamodernity is not about mere deconstruction, as postmodernism might suggest, but about finding value in classic elements while exposing their faults. By keeping the needle but discarding the thread, the film suggests retaining what works in storytelling while shedding what doesn't, especially linear structures that don't align with non ordinary states of consciousness.
THE EYE OF GOD & THE SHIFT TO EMPIRICISM
Historically, the "Eye of God" symbolized the omnipotent gaze of the divine, with religious institutions like the Christian church being the primary producers of truth.
However, with the rise of modernity, empiricism, and reason, scientists began to claim that they didn't need God to access truth. Instead, they believed that with their eyes, they could perceive and understand the world.
Yet, "Eyes Without Gaze" challenges this notion. The gaze, often associated with awe and mythologization, is absent in the empirical approach. While science claims to be anti-mythology, it inadvertently creates its own mythology—one that denies the gaze but serves the same purpose as any other mythology. Moreover, this empirical mythology can be seen as violent, imposing its own version of truth upon the world.
THE EYE AS A TOOL OF HEGEMONIC PERCEPTION
The eye, often prioritized in hegemonic perception, promises us access to truth through our senses. But how trustworthy is it? In legal terms, we rely on an "eye witness," yet there's no equivalent for other senses. Does an "eye without gaze" truly comprehend its function, or does it merely act without truly seeing? The concept of gaze, like a thread, connects the observer to the observed. But in a world where modernity promises sight but often blinds us to the truths of marginalized communities, we must question the limitations and potentials of our own perception.
RETRIBUTION & THE EYE OF JUSTICE
Every revenge narrative poses a question: Is retribution equivalent to the original offense? From the age-old principle of "an eye for an eye" to modern legal systems, justice is often seen through the lens of retribution. But is this "Eyes Without Gaze" approach truly just? Or is it merely a reflection of our own biases and limitations?
BUT WHAT IF THE NEEDLE HAS A THREAD BUT ITS JUST INVISIBLE?
EMPATHY THROUGH PAIN: EYES WITHOUT GAZE & THE INVISIBLE THREAD
Is experiencing another's pain the only true path to empathy? Can we truly understand another's suffering without walking in their shoes? The age-old adage of "seeing through someone else's eyes" suggests that true understanding comes from adopting another's perspective. But how deep must this adoption go?
Eyes are often seen as the windows to the soul, the primary tools of perception. They promise us access to truth, to understanding. Yet, "Eyes Without Gaze" challenges this notion. Can eyes that don't gaze, that don't truly see, ever understand pain? Can they empathize? The concept of gaze, like a thread, connects the observer to the observed. But when the thread is invisible, the connection becomes intangible, almost ethereal.
A needle without its thread stands as a symbol of isolation, of disconnection. But what if the thread is merely invisible? Does the needle still serve its purpose? Similarly, can we empathize without directly experiencing another's pain? The invisible thread might represent the unseen, intangible connections between individuals, the silent understanding, and shared experiences that don't manifest overtly but are present nonetheless.
How do you envision the overall tone and mood of the film, especially in scenes that delve into the themes of empathy, pain, and perception?
Are there specific scenes or moments where you'd like the music to play a dominant role in conveying the film's message?
How do you interpret the symbols of "Eyes Without Gaze" and "Needle Without (Invisible) Thread" in the context of the film's narrative?
Are there any specific emotions or reactions you're hoping to evoke from the audience through the combination of visuals and music?
How do you see the relationship between the film's characters and the overarching themes of empathy and perception?
Are there specific sounds or soundscapes you're planning to use to complement or contrast with the musical score?
Are there moments in the film where you envision a seamless blend between diegetic sounds and the musical score?
How do you plan to pace the film, especially in scenes that delve deep into the themes of empathy and perception?
Are there specific sequences where you envision the music taking the lead in driving the narrative forward?
How do you see the relationship between the film's visual rhythm and the musical score?
Are there moments in the film where you anticipate a stark contrast or harmony between the visuals and the music?
How do you plan to handle transitions between scenes, especially those that shift between reality and dreamlike states, in relation to the musical score?