The Artist Explains: LIE NING - 'secret island'

Berlin singer songwriter LIE NING talks us through his graceful visuals for warm single, ‘secret island’ which is concerned with dreamy, natural, retreat from structured city life.

Where was the video for ‘secret island’ filmed?
Our shoot took place in an abandoned factory hall in the outskirts of Berlin. A place which used to be structured, clean and cold. That is now occupied by birds and first traits of nature.

How does the video connect with the song?
‘secret island’ is about a place, that only exists in my imagination. A utopian bubble, that combines my structured city life with my wishes for a more nature based retreat. What could be more representative of such a fantasy than an abandoned factory, a landmark of industrialization and urbanization, that we abstract from its original use to a warm and airy, light and breezy film setting?

Do you have any behind the stories you can share with us?
There was this beautiful singing bird, that we startled setting up all the equipment. I was hoping that they would fly through the picture here and there to create even more of a surreal vibe. Unfortunately and maybe for the better for our little friend, they would always find a slot where we didn't film or fly behind the camera. Very tricky.
Also, singing in double time behind a window that has a complicated water system on top of it, is not sexy at all. as good as it looks on film, I was wet. I had to sing in an absurd speed and still try to look dreamy. Horrible hahaha.

Could you tell us about the ideas/ themes/ imagery used?
’secret island’ as a single is embedded in my first EP ‘traffic songs for the inbetweens’, in which i dialoguize with myself more of less. That is why i am interested in mirrors, windows, reflections, symmetry. Stylistic choices i try to incorporate in my visual aesthetic. gaze as a fabric represents vacation, but also West Africa where my family is from as screen doors. combined with some wind, it creates a dreamy atmosphere.

What do you hope people take away from watching the video?
The video is a little vacation in itself. i hope people will watch it and start to dream about fantastic matters. only in our imagination we can find our true potential. I escape into that dream world every now and then to collect new inspiration and power for my reality.

Interview by Karla Harris