Creative collaborations

Julia deans to play homage to the artist behind the visuals of her animated video for song The Panic in an intimate performance at Art Ache.

What happens when you combine the silky tones of singer-songwriter Julia Deans with the hard lines of artist Greg Page? Well, something quite beautiful actually.

The Panic video was both animated and edited by Greg Page, one of Julia’s long-term collaborators.  The clip is over 6,000 frames of art, which took over two months to create.

“I deliberately kept it loose and the black and white was a conscious decision to set the story in a dream or memory where colour is scared to go.  The rough scratchy style was me drawing honestly and without worry. I feel the scratchiness is the perfect accompaniment to that kick ass beat and bass line.

Julia invested a lot of trust not only that I would complete the clip, but in the concept which grew organically and slowly over time. I am proud to have made ‘The Panic’ and felt like Julia gifted me one of the best songs to be inspired by.” – Greg Page.

The concept of The Panic video follows a small girl who gets a puppy.  Unlike the usual pet stories, this puppy is not a pet, but a black panic dog that the little girl now owns for life.

As she grows up and her awareness of the dog increases, the larger it becomes until eventually, rather than letting it consume her, she takes charge and breaks the big panic dog into smaller manageable pups.

“The Panic is about learning to live with our fears & anxieties – with depression. It’s about recognising that all of us harbour these feelings in our own varying forms and, at one time or another, we have to work out how to keep them in check & reign them in before they take over.” – Julia Deans.

Mikey Havoc interviewed the pair on 95bFM’s Breakfast show on the 25th July. The podcast can be accessed on the 95bFM b-cast library here.

Art Ache returns July 26 at LOT23, from 5pm. Featuring artists Judy Darragh, Paula Friis, Katharine Atafu-Mayo, Olyvia Hong, Karen Rubado and Greg Page.

The event has been curated by Natalie Tozer, Julia Deans will be performing a selection of songs from her latest album, including The Panic.

ADDRESS  LOT23, 23 Minnie St, Eden Terrace, Auckland
ON-SALE  Selected artworks, studio treasures at entry level prices. Limited Art Ache collector prints are also available nationwide for $50 each, from Sunday 8th for the month of July at artache.com.

The event is FREE entry and non-ageist. BRING CASH.