A minimalist, modern, message bearing artistic feast describes the official video of Ali Awan's "Be a Light" video. A compendium of visual accouterments following the lyrics that feel like a wild ride down the rabbit hole.
Deftly directed by Kirby Sybert the first glance shows Ali smirking in a glass box as the opening music feels ominous before rippling into a tingling tambourine and insouciant "Dooot doot doot doota dottoo" The long shot now shows Ali in a fitted suit moving closer to a shrouded being seated in front of a blank canvas. A black and white cat moves with quiet feline grace. The use of 3 images sets the stage.
The artistic and creative direction handled by Ali himself reminded me of a 60s art house project with crisp use of abstract geometric art. Ali seems a fan of tingling tambourine, perfectly placed keys and sizzling guitar riffs. Trippy uses of different sound elements adds to this introspective song.
"You paint another picture/A window to a world" He winds into the chorus. "If you don't want to let it show then you don't have to let it go/ I'll be a light if you are lost in the shadow of you mind.
a modern take on a French film with a message of holding your own hand" We watch the light rose cigarette smoke haze surround his face as it flickers in a psychedelic wave.He emerges again as he begins to walk the shrouded figure. His hesitating gait implies indecision or trepidation.
Ali moves through a variety of stylish wardrobe changes from formal suit, to a more informal westernized shirt and blazer to a insouciant looking newspaper cap and leather jacket. The use of illusion is at the center of this song or so I believe making a metaphor of the delusional head games we play. "Magnificent in the moment/ Got bit by the rabbit in the hat." Open to vast interpretation. I can only offer mine.
Sticking to the stripped down sophisticated lighting, with Ali, the figure and the cat (the 3), the last scene circles back to the first. Ali timidly unveils the figure that has been working on the canvas the entire time flicking the brush to create pops of black and white As the secret someone is revealed we see his eyes widen in surprise: it is Ali.
Poof. They both disappear. The ubiquitous cat sits regally on the stool. The intertwining of faces and a row of rather rad shoe tapping in unison harmonizes nicely in this hypnotic, sophisticated piece of art.
There was obvious thought, diligence and high level of devotion that went into the making of this with the mirror images and slick geometric shapes. Was he trying to get out of his own box? It made me think what box am I in or am I outside the box? What is my trick? What is yours? Who am I fooling? What about you? Poof.
http://thekey.xpn.org/2019/03/04/ali-awan-be-a-light/
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