Bon Iver 'Naeem' by AG Rojas

The human race's symbiotic relationship with nature is explored in AG Rojas' video for Naeem. 

Exploring the potential of intergenerational healing, the complex and mysterious video - Bon Iver's first live action visual in seven years- focuses on two sets of family members who each encounter a floating rock in the middle of a road. A Father sets his dying adult son in front of this rock, and a Mother encourages it to open up the next day to provide water to cleanse her baby son. 

Intentionally ambiguous, Naeem is full of symbolism with reference to religion, femininity and intergenerational trauma, and each viewer's perception of the events will no doubt be informed by their life experience. Touching upon powerful and important ideas, the video meditates on the state of our planet and people, and the cycle of life and death that every living being encounters throughout our shared journeys. The word Naeem can be translated as "happiness" or "comfort", suggesting a return to a peaceful existence, the status quo of our earliest ancestors. 

The power of change and potential for peace is the message we are encouraged to take away from this project, and the importance of questioning life at every corner to ensure we are acting in a way that is mutually beneficial to both the universe and to ourselves.