A person of many talents, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ariel Gold is based in Toronto, Canada. She has a knack for aesthetics, style, and portrays the nuances of her beliefs in an almost hauntingly beautiful manner. This young independent artist and painter is a student of OCAD University and makes sure all her music and her art go hand in hand.
Her latest single, Hypersensitivity is nothing short of a total embodiment of art, music and her ethereal aesthetics.
In this conversation with Ariel, we explore the mystifying nature of death, the role of art, and the movie Coco.
photo: sevan ichkhanian
Push up Daisies: What has your relationship with death always been like, and how do you view it now?
Ariel: Death has never really made sense to me. One day someone’s alive and the next, they are not; And then, you can never really see them again. All you are left with is memories of them, which then take on a completely different weight and meaning.
Push up Daisies: Are you spiritual or religious? How do you think your culture affects your perception of death?
Ariel: I am religious and spiritual. Although the two aren’t always connected. I am Jewish and identify strongly with the culture, and connect to it, spiritually. However, my spirituality also has a non-denominational element to it.
Push up Daisies: As a creative, how does the thought or fear of death inspire you? Does it ever drive you to create more?
Ariel: The thought of death definitely inspires me. the am less mobilized by the idea of leaving a legacy than the idea that, in the grand scheme of things, everyday struggles with confidence surrounding my creative undertakings is somewhat small and insignificant. That idea makes me brave.
Push up Daisies: How would you like to be remembered?
Ariel: I would like to be remembered as a liberated woman who took up space and built her life as though it were a work of art -- quoting Abraham Joshua Herschel, one of my favourite Jewish theologians.
photo: sevan ichkhanian
Push up Daisies: What are you most proud of in your life?
Ariel: I think, I am most proud of my artistic body of work. Looking back on what I have made gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Push up Daisies: How does the thought of death affect your everyday life?
Ariel: I think death manifests itself through fear a lot in my life. “Don’t do this or you’ll die” is a very present boundary that stops me from doing reckless things. However, it took on a new meaning during this pandemic. As a young person, I am more worried about my older father who I am a caretaker for. I limit myself in order to protect his life.
Push up Daisies: In what ways can it be healthy to contemplate death?
Ariel: It can be healthy to contemplate death to grieve or prepare oneself for grief. Our loved ones deserve to be remembered.
Push up Daisies: Have you ever read a book revolving around death, that left its mark on you?
Ariel: Funnily enough, I was very affected and moved into thought around death after seeing the Disney movie, Coco about the Day of the Dead.
Push up Daisies: Is there something that you would be willing to die for? What would this be?
Ariel: Honestly, no. I treasure life above all else. That is a core belief of my religion.
Push up Daisies: What are your ideal and worst ways to die?
Ariel: To say the least, the ideal way to die would be of old age, surrounded by loved ones. However, I don’t even want to think about that or attract that energy into my life.