Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting
Potato’s photostream is rich in color but even richer in emotional content. This picture of four friends watching TV is typical of her work. It is untitled and links to the song “Good News” by Apashe. I love that all four of them are lost in their own little world while watching TV. We keep seeing PSAs telling us that we are “Alone Together” but this picture seems to say they are together alone with the TV on or as the song lyric says, “I can never break something that ain't wrong,”
Some of her pictures can get a bit macabre, like the one right below the cut.
This untitled picture links to “FU/FM” by Terrorbyte, the ultimate post-break look-at-me-now song: “Remember when you said / That I wasn't good enough / And now you hear me every time you turn the speakers up.”
The picture is an illustration of the song’s angriest lyrics, “They gathered around me to watch me die / Set me on fire / Burn me alive / You're going to get what you deserve / I speak in tongues of fire / And I will watch you burn.”
The straightjacket captures the trapped feeling. The flames are artfully done with sparks rising. This picture has a strong impact on me as I have a fear of fire that lingers ever since our house burned down my last year of college. Yes, I do check I have turned off the burner at least 3 times and don’t trust the light.
//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js
This picture captures utter exhaustion. I was drawn by the pose and how perfectly it conveys a mood. It links to “The Drug in Me Is You” by Falling in Reverse. Another song and another photo expressing despair. “I've lost my goddamn mind, it happens all the time / I can't believe I'm actually meant to be here / Trying to consume, the drug in me is you / And I'm so high on misery, can't you see?” The lyric tells of someone running, but this captures the emotional center of the song far more effectively than a more literal translation would.
Potato’s photostream is full of pictures illustrating song lyrics through their emotional impact rather than literally. That’s what makes them so interesting. They are visually appealing with their strong colors and slice-of-life stories. It is interesting to click through from the photo to the song and see the connection. I love the saturated colors, the deep shadows, and the use of indirect light from elements in the scene such as a television. I recommend browsing her stream at home and not around children, though, just to be on the safe side. Besides, you will want to hear the music – to really appreciate the connection between the visual representation and the lyrics.
See all of Cajsa's Choices here. Follow Cajsa on Flickr, on Twitter or on her blog.
Wagner James Au / New World Notes 
Leave a comment