In the spring of 2019, together with my musician friend Marnix, I started with the creation of a character. A character based on the region in the Netherlands we are both from; Westfriesland. The region is known for its stiff, stubborn, not a word too much, and concealed character, but as a result of the boredom, it is also known for her typical eccentric provincials who attempt to conquer the world. Because with no drama happening around you, you have to create your own.
The project started out as an ode to the way we always exaggerated our lives as a result of the boredom we have experienced growing up in the flat and dull Westfriesland. This ode is the character Martin Malibu. Martin is a parody on romanticising provincial life, and the pain and burdens of the troubled provincial artist. Martin’s life is dominated by his dream of becoming a singer, following in the footsteps of world famous West-Frisian singer George Baker.
The fictional character, played by my friend Marnix, started out with a short film followed by the debut release of Martin’s music. In the process of creating this film I already started noticing how similar Marnix started to behave to Martin. He started to wear the same clothes, say the same things and act the same way as Martin. This made me curious to research this further. I started to approach the character in a more documentary way to slowly introduce him from his fictional world into the real world. I noticed that the more I was doing this, the less I had to direct it.
Marnix started morphing into Martin.
HOW TO GET STRUCK BY LIGHTNING?
Hey.
How are you actually feeling?
Forgot what your greater purpose is?
Confused about the essence of your existence?
Wondering why there is something rather than nothing?
Yes, things can be complicated sometimes, but Moos might have a solution for you!
Moos is 17-years old, somewhere halfway puberty and adolescence. He lives in a rather
boring town, somewhere in between the big city and the rural country side. In the midst of his late teenage existential life crisis Moos has the urge for a reset. Inspired by the incredible story of Tony Cicoria, a man, who became a pianist and composer after being struck by lightning, Moos is convinced he found a way and is keen on sharing this with you!
This is a self-help project guiding you to your flash moment of insight. Your life changing event, solving all your problems in the blink of an eye.
Installation/video by Linus Kropp | starring Moos Stout
|Voice-over by Rory Tol | Music by Tony Cicoria | Sound by Linus Kropp
2018
Made for the exhibition 'A series of contradictions', 24-27 January 2019
