ELSIANE ART DIRECTION

Elsiane is the name of a musical duo composed of Peruvian singer and songwriter Elsieanne Caplette and Stephane Sotto. Elsiane is a combination of both musicians’ names and reflects the pair’s collaborative approach to their artistic process. Their music is influenced by a wide range of styles that include jazz, classical, rock and electronica. They started creating music together as Elsiane in 2000.

More Than a Friend (MTAF) was the fine art and design studio of artists Krista Bursey and Jason Wasserman. Established in 2001-2009, MTAF had a mandate of creating experimental artwork that combined both artists’ respective skills and styles.

MTAF art directed the majority of Elsiane’s visual content for their first album Hybrid released in 2007 : identity, graphics, concept art, live show design (projected visuals, costumes and styling). All of the artwork stemmed from the painting Mend (conceived by MTAF, painted by Krista Bursey) and was chosen as the cover, an icon that came to represent the contortion in Elsieanne Caplette’s estranged voice. This image at first glance can also resemble a strange organ, like something you would find inside the body. It has dualistic qualities both being inside and outside, male and female. The following images are the CD design and painting series that are featured in the Hybrid fold out digi-pack CD.

Elsiane, Hybrid Cover. 2007Elsiane, Hybrid Digi-Pack CD. 2007Elsiane, Hybrid Digi-Pack CD. 2007Elsiane, Hybrid Digi-Pack CD. 20075-cd-page-4Elsiane, Hybrid Digi-Pack CD. 2007Elsiane, Hybrid Single Vaporous. 2007
KB. ''Hybrid'' Oil on Canvas, 2007.1KB. ''Hybrid'' Oil on Canvas, 2007.1KB. ''Hybrid'' Oil on Canvas, 2007.1KB. ''Hybrid'' Oil on Canvas, 2007.1KB. ''Hybrid'' Oil on Canvas, 2007.1Hybrid Painted SidesHybrid Painted SidesHybrid Painted Sides

Visually, the art direction for Elsiane’s live show was inter-connected all across the stage. From the visuals to the costume, make-up and hair it was all intertwined. The visuals presented the challenge of bringing the artwork to motion. We opted for an eclectic mix of live footage and animation. For some of the visuals we worked with the incredibly talented contemporary dancer/chorographer, Leah Archambault (vocalist of U.T.I.) to recreate contortion-like movements that resembled the album cover. Her contemporary choreography showcased in a faceless zentai fetish suit was a recipe for the most incredible, heart-stopping videos used for songs Mend and Bent Will.

''Mend Visual'', Hybrid CD Launch. 2007''Final Escape Visual'', Hybrid CD Launch. 2007''In a Crisis Visual'', Montreal Jazz Festival, 2007.''Bentwill'', Montreal Jazz Festival, 2007.''Hybrid Visual'', Montreal Jazz Festival, 2007.''Hybrid Visual'', Montreal Jazz Festival, 2007.Hybrid Visuals
Leah Archambault performing for ''Bentwill'' video, 2007.Leah Archambault performing for ''Bentwill'' video, 2007.Leah Archambault performing for ''Bentwill'' video, 2007.Leah Archambault performing for ''Mend'' video, 2007.Leah Archambault performing for ''Mend'' video, 2007.Leah Archambault performing for ''Mend'' video, 2007.Leah Archambault performing for ''Mend'' video, 2007.Leah Archambault performing for ''Mend'' video, 2007.
KB Make-up, Cam Patey Costume and HairKB Make-up, Cam Patey Costume and HairKB Make-UpKB Make-up, Cam Patey Costume and HairKB Make-up, Cam Patey Costume and Hair

Mend Video for Live Performance

Elsiane "Mend" Live Performance, 2007.

Bent Will Video for Live Performance

For the animated visuals, we worked with Parnell disciple Fred Casia, to bring our hand-drawn pencil illustrations and paintings to life.

Hybrid Video for Live Performance