This video, directed by Mark Romanek for Madonna in 1995, is a homage to artists and mystics who explored the subconsciousness. it starts with Madonna, as some experimental or therapeutic subject, turns into some dream like state, the word “Lucid” appears on one of the screens. From a sterile, bright and high-tech-ish setting the video turns darker, more organic and mysterious. the visual vocabulary of this video contains quotations of three woman surrealist painters, here are some references:
Dorothea Tanning: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, 1943
Remedios Varo: Los Amantes, 1955
Remedios Varo: Remenance
Leonora Carrington
Leonor Fini: The ends of the earth, 1949
Alongside these, this clip pays tribute to two films. first is the brilliant Armenian director Sergei Parajanov, and his beautiful, surrealistic film from 1968 “The Color of Pomegranates“
The second, is the philosophic and psychedelic film “Stalker“, By Andrei Tarkovsky:
I’m still trying to figure out the meaning of the rotating cube. it reminds me a bit of the idea of the cube of space – a model that represents human consciousness in various mystic and psychological theories.
the cube of space
Or the Metatron cube, that relates to sacred geometry:
From the feminine surrealism of the mother and witch archetype to the Whirling Dervishes, this clip is all about altered states of consciousness and the search for the divine. what was once in the realm of religious and mystic practice, later became the role of artists and poets, and now, say Madonna and Romanek, is present in pop culture, for millions of people to get a glimpse at.
The Daily Psychedelic Video 