What is Saudade, A Memory and how did it come to be?
Saudade, A Memory is a 9-song album inspired by how dementia can change what is familiar and make it unknown.
These works are some of my favorite songs. Each is transformed to a view point of the person with dementia, the disease itself, the caretaker or outsiders looking in. In this way they are both familiar songs, yet not familiar at all.
The Forgetting is the only original song and the lyrics; it is based on actual conversations with my mum.
I worked for months on how to phrase each song to best give this feeling of loneliness and confusion. The loneliness of the dementia patient, never getting the support they need, even though everyone around them is trying their best. The loneliness of the caretaker, with family members always judging them on every decision they make.
The message to the audience is that they aren’t alone. We are all in this together, separated by miles, but joined by experience.
Who initially inspired you to grapple with dementia?
My parents have it. My dad fell for scams and my mum often calls me by my uncle’s name. My brother and I are in a constant state of grief, guilt, and frustration with occasional beams of light and grainy happiness.
These family members fight me on every single decision my brother and I have to make to take care of them, since they believe they are okay. As an artist, I needed to immerse myself into a creative outlet to realize my emotions.
How has working on dementia-related art changed you?
Dementia is one of the scariest diseases. A woman is perfectly healthy. Blood work comes back normal, brain scan comes back normal, yet she can’t remember her mother’s name.
Most of my work has been in the classical world. In photography, I tend to focus on light painting or landscapes. This is a departure for me, but it’s important work.
How do you hope Saudade is received?
Saudade is made for people like me who are dealing with something that continually keeps on hitting. My hope is that it finds its intended audience and reminds them we are not alone.
This work is dedicated to: My brother
Find more from Hank Musik on Facebook and Instagram. Listen to the album on Apple Music, Spotlify, and Soundcloud.
