Book of Longing
—
(2019)

Personal Interpretation
Animation

This was a personal interpretation of ‘Book of Longing’ by Leonard Cohen, a collection of short poems that document Cohen’s time and struggle as a monk at a Zen monastery and his subsequent escape back into the music industry. As someone initially unfamiliar with Cohen's artistry, my impressions began with a hint of skepticism upon first reading. Not entirely inspired by the poems, I turned to the artist himself and immersed myself in what Cohen was celebrated for: his music. His posthumous album Thanks for the Dance struck a particular chord with me, especially the hauntingly beautiful "Happens to the Heart."

This frame-by-frame animation breathes life into Cohen's words, set against my own ukulele rendition of "Happens to the Heart." Each hand-drawn visual strives to manifest Cohen's raw vulnerability and spiritual conflicts into tangible, moving art. The line "the useless monk bows his head" resonated deeply, encapsulating his complexities. Through careful craftsmanship, I animated his longing, doubts, and profound ability to articulate the perplexities of the human condition.

This project represents more than just an interpretation; it's a dialogue between mediums — poetry, music, and animation. It showcases how different art forms can intertwine to create a powerful, multisensory experience that honors the depth of Cohen's work while offering a fresh, personal perspective.