hai Damsel Elysium

Introduce yourself and tell us a bit more about what you do!

I am Damsel, I’m an artist and composer. I combine the visual world with the sound world through installation, fine art, costume, photography, sound design and many other mediums.

What, where and who inspires you?

I am very inspired by architecture and space, in fact it is integral to my practice, whether it’s the acoustics of the space or the design, they go hand in hand. I find places of worship or abandoned buildings the most inspiring. Artist Ana Mendieta and performance artist Charlotte Moorman are timeless inspirations to me.

What's an essential part of your daily routine?

Lighting candles in the evening and baking pies!

What were the catalysts that led you to where you are now?

I had a profound experience with a tree in Prague, 2019 which lead me to want to share this experience through sound and film. Around the same time I was discovering all these incredible musicians who were pushing the boundaries of classical instruments which lead me back to my violin and introduced me to the double bass. I was already in the fashion world as a model and brands were interested by me and the bass. It opened up an audience who were interested in my art which was such a revelation to me.

What led you to multi-media experimentation?

I’ve always been doing many things from as young as I can remember. I think it’s just impossible for me to choose one thing that I am meant to do for the rest of my life when I’ve always been inspired by multiplicity. My practice at the moment is experimenting with how all these mediums can unify or at the very least co-exist. I feel they are symbiotic.

What different artistic practices do you see yourself further exploring?

I’ve always been interested in movement art and dance. It’s where I feel my most real self. I feel the most fluid parts of me aware from the stipulations of gender and conformity. Although it’s used as a medium to perform, I find it actually the most vulnerable of experiences. It’s different to music where my instruments speak for me and I have a level of control over how much I give. With dance it’s just me, and my body and it will move how ever I feel and expose perhaps things I spend so much time masking on a daily basis.

We’d love to know if you have any pre-show rituals?

All rituals take place from the moment I’m approaching the stage. There is no true beginning to my shows. I begin when the stage feels set and my intentions are locked. Flowers and natural objects are a huge part of my ritual practice. I will carry them on and dress the stage with them both as a way to ground myself and ready the audience. Collaboration with nature is a way to mark intention.

What performance or piece of work are you most proud of so far?

It would have to be my collaboration with Becky Namgauds and Amanda Pefkou. We created (and continue to create) an experimental opera called My Sister’s Skull, in the spirit of Lilith, performing and disrupting a great hall in the V&A museum. Collaboration is always the most fulfilling projects.

What would your dream collaboration be? With someone from the past or present?

I’d love to make something super obscure with Caroline Polachek. I’d also like to have a dance off with Kate Bush.

What are you manifesting for 2024?

To see more of the world and collaborate with more artists.

What is your favourite Hai piece from our Autumn-Winter 2023 collection and why?

I’m a sucker for accessories and the Carla belt is simply iconic. And the Odette Necklace is quite literally part of my body now.