Vía Láctea Dimensions Variable
Briefly describe the work you do.
I place my work into the discourse that exists between fashion, industrial design and concrete forms. In my artwork, geometrical abstractions dominate with a variety of exotic color combinations, which are derived from universal and traditional Mexican patterns.I particularly work with geometry because it an endless way to create unique shapes that describe different cultures; Furthermore, I ascribe a major importance to architecture, technological advancement to capture how all these combinations of factors influence our modern society. My compositions are clearly determined by the mixture of both, namely my own and universal pattern creations which are adapted to individual geometrical shapes. Hence, reflecting my viewpoint about life in all its diversity and dynamism.I like to use materials that already had a life such as cardboard, wood and plastic among others.. specially plastic because this material takes around 500 years in nature to complete degrade. I can breathe new life into all those materials. It fascinates me that these forgotten materials can become new paintings and installations in my studio and will last for generations.
Tell us about your background and how that has had an influence on your work and on you as an artist.
I never thought I became an artist actually I should study Economics to carry on my father business in the future… but i was not really good in mathematics i really hate the subject and it was in a summer when I spend three months in Morelia, Michoacán (about 220km west from Mexico City) to study Algebra, the city was so unexpected beautiful and totally inspiring after a couple of weeks I decide to star painting… after that I returned to Monterrey and i started to study Art History at Tecnológico de Monterrey and interior design I was not really sure so I try everything finally i decide to study fine arts in my hometown but it was very difficult for me at this time because I used to work in family business, study and I had also my own business.. so it was to much I had no time to have some personal life and hang out with friends also so that was the City rush in my teenage in Monterrey which is the most industrial city Mexico ́s and richest state latin america ́s but also I have spend 3 to 6 months each year of my childhood in Guadalajara which is the second largest city in the Mexican Republic and where my grand parents comes from, so I felt always some kind of hybrid between two big states,with many contrasts between old and modern- hi tech and traditional conservative and open mind etc. A huge cultural differences from each other. All these factors influenced my personality and character some how and in the form to see the life in many ways.
Exhibit view Industrial Series 2 Dimensions Variable @Greusslich Contemporary Berlin 2014
The concept of the artist studio has a broad range of meanings in contemporary practice. Artists may spend much of their time in the actual studio, or they may spend very little time in it. Tell us about your individual studio practice and how it differs from or is the same as traditional notions of “being in the studio.”
Certainly one of the things I enjoy most is spending time in my studio developing new ideas and experimenting with new materials, recycling and reinventing. Recently I moved to a new studio which inaugurated last February 27th and presented my latest project “we are made of stars” from Universal series… chosen and supported by the cultural office of Berliner district Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf and the Mexican Embassy in Berlin.
What roles do you find yourself playing that you may not have envisioned yourself in when you first started making art?
Well 12 years ago I used to paint just oil on canvas and mainly abstract art…. now I don ́t use oil painting any more for many reasons, I prefer to use acrylic colors in my compositions apart from using other supports such as plastic, steel, wood, cardboard and video. Currently trying to develop something more interactive.. maybe with sound or something you can touch and participate as a part of the concept..
When do you find is the best time to make art? Do you set aside a specific time everyday or do you have to work whenever time allows?
I work every day from Monday to Sunday without limits of time or public holidays, when I’m not creating some new work, installation or editing a video, i do office work, writing letters, sending emails, making phone calls, planning dates, production times, pricing, assembly and disassembly of the following exhibitions and many times I work even when got sick because first of all is the timeliness and quality of my work as a professional.
How has your work changed in the past five years? How is it the same?
My artworks has considerably changed In the last 5 years… since end 2012 I have been full time develop the Universal Series only, in this series i make site-specific installations recreating galaxies in our universe with geometric shapes made of plastic and cardboard wich has been shown in Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Mexico and soon in London. Now I want to spend a little more time to painting on canvas again developing my Industrial series.
Exhibit view Industrial Series Dimensions Variable @Greusslich Contemporary Berlin 2014
How have people such as family, friends, writers, philosophers, other artists or even pop icons had an impact on the work you do?
At the beginning of my career there have been many artists who have admired so much their work but also some artistic movements guided me in my search for a own style such as Avantgarde and Constructivism among others.. but also architecture, design and fashion take part in my work processes I’ve taken some of all reconfiguring each style and adapting to me, also the mayan cosmovision has been the base of my work practice. I certainly think that all this “Universal” legacies are not only the base but also reflects and echoes in my artwork.
Have you ever been pulled in the direction of a pursuit other than being an artist? What are your other interests?
Even though my parents are very conservative, they always gave me not only the freedom to choose but supporting my decisions.. before deciding to be plastic artist, I try everything that could like me, one day I ask my dad; how can I be successful like you? what i need to do? is there a recipe? and he ask me you need to works really hard, not only mo to fr.. weak up very early but the most important is you need to have passion for what you do and have to like it a lot” after that I realized
I would have been happy locked in a factory as they would have liked it .. and i need to find that something makes me happy & free. and i found it in Art.’
About
I was Born in Monterrey, Mexico, and grew up between Guadalajara (West Mexico) and Monterrey (North East). My time as an artist in Monterrey was very successful and I knew a wide range of gallery owners and artists, but after a while I began to feel that the art scene was perhaps too conservative for my taste… This prompted a move in 2007 to Berlin where I was quick involved with its vibrant and flourishing contemporary art scene.
Universal Vía Láctea Fragments@Planetario Alfa de Monterrey, Mexico_2014 Plastic & cardboard Dimensions Variable
All images copyright of the artist and used with their permission.
365 Artists | 365 Days 