What is Dollhaven Eternal Autumn (DHEA)?

DHEA, short for Dollhaven Eternal Autumn, is a multimedia artistic collective and creative entity. It is a revitalized and reconceptualized version of the original Dollhaven, a SoundCloud music collective. DHEA aims to be a platform for artists to fully express themselves through visual and sonic aesthetics, moving beyond the limitations of a traditional music collective.

The name "Eternal Autumn" is significant on multiple levels. It references "Eternal September," an internet phenomenon that began in 1993 when a massive influx of new users joined Usenet, disrupting its established culture. Like this event, DHEA, by its own definition, seeks to disrupt the status quo of the art world through its unconventional approach and thought-provoking concepts. "Eternal Autumn" further alludes to a state of perpetual change and decay, mirroring the transient nature of online trends and the collective's embrace of a more fluid structure where members can come and go.

This concept of DHEA as a "shared mindset" rather than a fixed group is central to its philosophy. The collective prioritizes the embodiment of its core principles and aesthetic over rigid membership rules. This approach aligns with the ethos of performance art, where the process and concept are often considered more important than the final product.

What is Doll.Network?

Doll.Network is the online platform for DHEA. It serves as a central hub showcasing artist profiles, blogs, portfolios, and easy access to all of DHEA's content. The website's design will align with the "Eternal Autumn" aesthetic, further reinforcing the collective's visual identity.

What is DHEA's artistic philosophy?

At the heart of DHEA lies its belief in art as a meme, a powerful idea that replicates and spreads, influencing culture beyond logic and reason. This philosophy is deeply connected to DHEA’s goal of creating art with a lasting impact. By creating "memetic" art, DHEA aims to embed its ideas in the cultural landscape, ensuring they are replicated and spread, achieving a form of artistic immortality.

DHEA’s art theory centers around these key ideas:

• Art is memetic. It spreads and evolves like a virus, transcending individual creation.
• Art is ideas. The concept is paramount; the finished product is merely a manifestation.
• Art is alchemy. It transforms simple materials into something meaningful and valuable.
• Art should not be separate from life but an action within life. It should challenge norms, provoke thought, and inspire change.

What are the key motifs and themes of DHEA's aesthetic?

DHEA's aesthetic centers around the concept of "Eternal Autumn in the wired hellscape." This theme blends tranquility with disquieting symbols, reflecting the beauty and chaos of the natural world intertwined with technology. The collective embraces gothic, grungier, and naturalistic styles, moving away from internet-based aesthetics.

Key motifs include:

• A chaotic dance of cultures, a sinister play of shadows, and visions from the void.
• Pixels distorted, echoes of lost networks, and a collage of the outcast in the digital realm.
• Mysticism, esoterica, nature juxtaposed with technology.
• Patterns in nature, code, speech, writing, and visuals.

What are DHEA's goals?

DHEA has outlined several strategic goals:

• Revitalization: Breathe new life into the collective through updated aesthetics, merchandise, and new projects.
• Multimedia Expansion: Evolve beyond music into a multi-media artistic collective encompassing visual and sonic art forms.
• Brand Identity: Develop a strong and cohesive brand identity that reflects the new aesthetic direction.
• Audience Engagement: Build a dedicated following and foster engagement through social media and online platforms.
• Collaboration: Foster collaborations with artists from diverse disciplines to enrich the creative output.
• Merchandising: Create and sell merchandise that aligns with the collective's aesthetic and appeals to the target audience.

DHEA prioritizes high-quality output, aiming to challenge norms and inspire through its art. The collective emphasizes open dialogue and collaboration among members while staying true to its core aesthetic and philosophical principles.