The Artist Explains: Michael Baker - 'Baby Books'
Photography by Alice Humphreys
We learn more about Brighton-based singer songwriter Michael Baker’s hand-made-collage-animated video for ,‘Baby Books’, which is the third single from his forthcoming album, ’Salt’, and was written after a friend of his lost their battle to mental health.
Where was the video for 'Baby Books filmed and how did you come up with the ideas for the animated parts?
The background layer of the video is made of a collection of 35mm photographs all taken by the filmmaker Alice Humphreys. Most of them are from a 2 month tour she accompanied Michael on through UK, Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland in the Spring of 2018. The photographs of people are also all taken by her on 35mm film, of her friends that she has taken over the years.
Can you tell us about the ideas/themes/imagery used?
’Baby Books’ was written by Michael Baker after a friend lost their battle to mental health. “It shocked me how much we wear masks every day & how hard it is to see what is bubbling away underneath.” was the line that inspired filmmaker Alice Humphreys to make this hand-made-collage-animated feel video,
Is there a message the video is trying to convey?
Alice Humphreys : Day-to-day we know the feeling of hiding behind a mask, we all carry pain and struggle and don’t show it, sometimes even to our closest friends and family, and it’s an issue worth discussing.
Interview by Karla Harris