The End is a multimedia project by fashion designer Dorien De Kesel, musician Elias Devoldere and film duo Wannes Vanspauwen & Pol De Plecker. This multidisciplinary project originated from the desire for more collectivity in the crafts and collaboration between the arts. The End is a response to growing individualism and reflects on our society that is becoming increasingly volatile. The collaboration stems from the belief that an equal collaboration between different makers leads to a more powerful, sustainable result.
In her collection, Dorien searches for the lost knowledge within her field. She strives to reevaluate the essence of materials and thus focuses on sustainability and quality. With a nod to the past, when forces were mainly bundled faceaaabetween family members and the local community, she contacted her cousin and musician/producer Elias to start a collab. Elias, known as the drummer of Nordmann, Robbing Millions, Hypochristmutreefuzz and SUWI, released his first solo EP Kaiku in 2021. In 2023, his first record Bloomed > Exploded followed. The two records were released on Unday Records and received rave reviews in the press. In turn, Elias invited filmmakers Wannes and Pol for this project. The two promising directors were already selected for Film Fest Gent, Vienna Shorts and Leuven International Short Film Festival with their individual works The Day That Was White (2021) and Noisetrain (2022). Both films won awards in Viennal. The acclaimed film director Lukas Dhont even praised Noisetrain as one of the “future five” during CONNEXT 2023.
After almost a year and numerous brainstorming sessions, the four makers came up with the video The End. In the film, a group of people travel by horse and cart through a dark, apocalyptic, stormy landscape. The protagonists are dressed in Dorien’s new collection, with the preacher in the central role, who speaks with fiery conviction. The uninterrupted shot (except for the intro) actively takes the viewer along on their difficult journey towards a new, better world. All this in symbiosis with the Elias’ repetitive soundtrack. The song was sparked by the feeling of being stuck in old structures, of which we know that they do not actually work, but are still maintained. This fits seamlessly with Dorien's vision. The track starts with a minimal electronic beat and slowly fades into a more acoustic, organic world. A metaphor for the fast, impersonal, virtual world that passes us by and is no longer sustainable.
The End heralds the beginning of a new era. An era in which we take one step back to then take two steps forward.
