Month: March 1983
THE RECONSTRUCTION IS GREATER
THE RECONSTRUCTION IS GREATER
MARTIN HALL
PROSE
MARCH 1983
BORGENS FORLAG (ISBN 87-418-5463-2)
The Reconstruction Is Greater (“Genopbyggelsen er større end selve skabelsen”) is Martin Hall’s debut as a writer. It is a book that in its openly hostile tone against its time and culture caused quite a stir at its release in 1983.
The attention surrounding the book focused very much on its mere 19-year-old author – at the time already appointed “the spokesman of a new generation” by the Danish press – and his ability to work with the Danish language in unprecedented ways. The style of the writing was abrupt, more statement-like than poetic, and defined its own level of application in the introduction to the book:
“This has nothing to do with art – this is symptom above intellectual vanity.”
Genre: Prose
Pages: 133 (illustrated)
Design: Martin Hall
“This has nothing to do with art – this is symptom above intellectual vanity.”
The release was graphically illustrated by the Martin Hall as well, mainly collage works with motives focusing on human submission.
Being released simultaneously with the author’s first solo record, Ritual, this “double feature” presentation emphasized Hall’s artistic many-sidedness and his early status as one of the 80-generation’s most important cultural characters.
RITUAL
RITUAL
MARTIN HALL
12″
MARCH 1983
KARMA (KMX66)
Ritual was Martin Hall’s first solo record, a 12” mini-album consisting of three pieces of very different music. Part 1 was a recording entirely based on percussion and industrial loops, part 2 a chilled piece of disco and part 3 a suite for violins.
The record was released on the independent label Karma Records as a reaction to Hall’s former contract with multinational CBS (Sony Music).
1. Part 1 (Some Further Decline) (7:51)
2. Part 2 (Easier Done than Said) (4:47)
3. Part 3 (Ond, Onde, Ondes) (12:16)
PART 1 (SOME FURTHER DECLINE)
Caught in the means
In this closed circle
And we share and we share
What had been left behind
Only a circle I couldn’t break into
So raw, so fine
Some further decline
PART 2 (EASIER DONE THAN SAID)
Now I know it
Now please tell them
It lies between their fingers
This is easier done than said
Can you see what I meant?
Some meant amen
Near in absence
Far from distance
Still we hope for some resistance
R&R and S&S
Which is the balance of intellect?
To mistreat all that’s gone
That’s not one entity
Why not lie
You’re too blind
I will stand here in line
That again
La-la-la
I spell chain with SS
Did you bring all that’s sore?
You and I feel like that
So precious once again
Chosen ones fought the beast
Chosen ones got the feast
The classic song I hear
Why you are proud of scars
Makes you lose
Makes you win
Time to think
And begin a new life deep within
Gonna get the cool out
Martin Hall: Vocals, piano, bass, guitar, drums, tapes, percussion, trumpet, violin, keyboards
Design: Martin Hall
Ritual was released concurrently with Martin Hall’s first book, The Reconstruction Is Greater. The record also contained a booklet with collage art and writings.
