MakersPlace

"Any Man's Death" is a conceptual artwork as a collaboration between Basileus and Reinhard Schmid for the 5th anniversary of SmackMan.

Conceptual art is an art movement in which the idea or concept behind the artwork takes precedence over the finished object or its craftsmanship. This movement emphasizes the importance of ideas, thoughts and concepts as the primary component of the artwork. 

A characteristic feature of conceptual art is the focus on the intellectual and philosophical dimension of the work. The greatest value is placed on the idea, context or message conveyed by the artists. 

For the creation of this artwork, Basileus provided the images of an original tarot reading to answer the question "How Will I Die". Reinhard Schmid combined it with his court jester like SmackMan who acts like he is performing the drawing of the cards, adding an element of surreal absurdity.

The soundtrack is based on a text from "The Seventh Seal" spoken by Basileus himself.

Basileus also quotes:

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." (John Donne)

Attributions:

Vocal passage: "The Seventh Seal" by Ingmar Bergman

Quote: From Devotions/Meditation 17 by John Donne
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Devotions/Meditation_17