Charlotte Adigéry shares why she released a meditation tape
“I only really discovered the power of meditation when I was on the brink of a burn-out.”
By Eline Van Audenaerde for VICE Belgium
12 November 2019
This article originally appeared on Vice Belgium in Dutch and French.
Charlotte Adigéry recently released Yin Yang Self-Meditation tape. The bodacious Belgian artist allows us an intimate look into her head. A vulnerable and relatable experience about body image, racism and anxiety moulded together into an audiovisual, ASMR-like experience.
VICE: Hey Charlotte, congratulations on the new project! Before we dive into that, another well-deserved round of applause for Zandoli, your second EP that was released in February on DEEWEE (by Soulwax). Looking back at that release, how are you experiencing it now?
Charlotte Adigéry: It’s still hard to grasp at times. I’m most aware of what I’m doing when I’m in the studio. I imagine the reactions and possible appreciation that can follow - and if that actually happens, it’s still so surreal. It’s very comparable to Bali, for example. You see pictures, it seems too good to be true, and when you’re actually there, you almost can’t believe it. I’m super proud of what I’ve created (with my Zandoli EP) and incredibly grateful for everything that came after that.
This time, you return with a surprising project, a meditation. Why a meditation single, or better yet, tape?
We’re working on a new album that we’ll release soon. And we planned to released a single first, something that is done a lot ahead of an album release. We didn’t immediately find a track that would work on its own and we didn’t want to force things. So, it was the perfect time to express ourselves in a way we like - by making interdisciplinary art.
“We love cassette tape as a medium. It offers an opportunity to be even more creative with what you want to make and it’s a fun gadget to have. Furthermore, it has a warm sound and it’s something tangible”
Coincidentally, we had all seen ‘Wild Wild Country’ on Netflix. Stephen and David (Dewaele/Soulwax) were able to purchase a couple of those [Osho audio] tapes and when we saw the tapes we thought, why not make a tape ourselves? We love cassette tape as a medium. It offers an opportunity to be even more creative with what you want to make and it’s a fun gadget to have. Furthermore, it has a warm sound and it’s something tangible.
What’s the importance of meditation to you and what can it offer others?
The importance of meditation to me is my own body awareness. I - and also lots of other people around me, in our society, spend too much of our time in our heads. Meditation slows down time for a moment. You get more profound experiences during and after a meditation. It grounds you and allows you to live more consciously. We all have 1 life and want to make the best of it. I believe we can get much more out of it.
How often do you practice meditation?
I try to meditate daily, but sometimes, I’m so busy that I skip it - and that’s actually absurd and contradictory. I try to do it at least every other day.
“I still find it very difficult to meditate in silence, but I hope to get to that point.”
How did you get started with meditation?
I think it was something that had been present in my life for a long time, but I only really discovered the benefits, the effect and the power of meditation when I was about to get burned out. I could not go on anymore. I also constantly got wrapped up in the questions of others, until at a certain moment I thought it was time to really go through that meditation. I resisted it for a long time, and when I finally tried, I still couldn't stop that stream of thoughts. So, I kept giving up. But I knew that something would click and that I had to keep trying. Last year that click came and I now know it really does work. I also keep looking for other types of meditation. I still find it very difficult to meditate in silence, but I hope to get to that point.
Your meditation single is much more than a single, it’s an audiovisual experience. The video was directed by Jorre Janssens. How did this collaboration come into being?
Jarri (Van der Haegen - her manager) found Jorre on Instagram. It’s so cool to have a manager who contributes creatively and suggests things that actually work. Jorre is a creative centipede. In addition to directing the video, he also took photos. What Jorre does, is exactly what I was looking for. There is something very soft and humane about it. It is timeless and glamorous. Together with DEEWEE, we developed that further based on a gut feeling. I think that's important, to feel good about people. The process mustn't feel forced, otherwise it won’t make sense.
The video also explores ASMR themes, like you did in previous videos, such as the ASMR version of "Cursed and Cussed." In this case, you actually elaborate on it. Was this a conscious decision?
No, it wasn’t really my intention. Other people have noticed the ASMR themes too. I find it interesting to hear. For me it was mainly about a fascination for why people are so fascinated by it, if that makes sense.
What is ASMR to you?
A voice that is very close to you, both a comforting voice and that devil on your shoulder. Although I was not consciously involved with it until now, I may want to investigate it further in the future.
Something I find visually very pleasing, is glitter and the way light hits certain objects in a specific way. For example, in the video we place an egg as a still life in a certain light. Perhaps comparable to the concept of "wabi / sabi".
“ I find it striking how a photo of me in Elle Magazine - a headshot gets more likes than a photo or post in which I share something I made, or thank people.”
In the video, I show many things that I actually find difficult to express. A vulnerability and certain frustrations that I notice in our generation. Such as how the social media generation is accepted and even welcomed. I think it actually kills creativity. As an artist, how do you still have time to create when you are on your phone all the time? I don't post much anymore. I find it striking how a photo of me in Elle Magazine - a headshot gets more likes than a photo or post in which I share something I made, or thank people.
Why are certain pieces of text subtitled in the video?
In the video a lot is happening at the same time. When you meditate, you usually close your eyes. The visual aspect of the video is a nice extra. We decided to write out the core messages, as a form of guidance for people who listen and watch at the same time.
“Having anxiety is ok. It is about letting go and learning to step away from that perfect image that you strive for. ”
What do you hope people get out of your Ying Yang Self-Meditation?
From my quest, from my will to dare to make myself vulnerable, I wish people won’t see that as a weakness, but as a power within you that enables you to do that. Having anxiety is ok. It’s about letting go and learning to step away from that perfect image that you strive for. If everyone felt safe enough to admit that, more people would lean on each other. A dialogue would open up, there would be more compassion for each other and that ensures a more harmonious life.