Last weekend, we went to the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Indianapolis (IMA) and they had a small room with their optic art collection. I was pretty blown away with the craft of the paintings of Victor Vasarely. Usually when artists want to paint straight lines in a canvas they use masking tape. This makes the edges of color look really crappy. In Vasarely's work is not the case...the borders of color are beautiful, creating a stronger optical illusion overall. Another impressive thing is the calculated gradiations of color. As an artist myself, it is hard to imagine how to keep track of such a wide and yet similar color palette using oil paint. It definitely does the illusion trick... Op-artists were really amazing. They're the predecessors to all image processing algorithms and, their gestalist understanding of our complex visual system and it's relation to the brain was fundamental for the development of computer graphics.
My girlfriend got me for christmas a really amazing book called 'optic art' by another 'OP' named Rene Parola. You can actually get this book for really cheap through dover, they reprinted it recently. She got me the 1969 one because she's a sweetie. Anyways, the book is really awesome. It does give you the explanation of why we perceive all these optical illusions that were used extensively throughout OP. For all people working within visual languages, please be aware of our visual/perceptual system.
12.28.2009
3.17.2009
Research interests
During my time off after grad school I've been "geeking out" intead of "freaking out". I have found new areas of research that include FLOSS (free/libre open-source software) and operating systems (ubuntu - ubuntustudio - dynebolic) for media creators and artists. Also doing a course of Processing on my own. I'm interested on the use of recycled images, color interaction/behavior, participation.
2.10.2009
1.20.2009
Alive in 2009
Feeling creative after a while of stressing out. The break from school and responsibilities has been pretty awesome. My Brother, Maria and Stefi have been very nice and supportive of my job search. I'm feeling optimistic that something really good is gonna come for me... as usual.
11.25.2008
what?
Oh yeah. That's my new thing. I don't know where I'm going, I don't know who I'm going with (it's a Mans song). I'll be far or close. who knows?...
Anyways, if you're reading this post is because you probably know me and want to know what I'm up to. In a couple of weeks I'll be turning the Audio Relay back to the Temporary Services in chicago. It will be a party, I'll play with AZ and bring some giant paper mache heads called Dead Druglords. There will be also another opening in Caracas, Venezuela with some of my drawings... they will be for sale so help me out for once! because I'll be unemployed in a few weeks.
I'll be sitting on my ass at my Brother & wife's house, eating crunchy cheetos and watching cable TV. Yes, this is what an MFA degree is for!
Anyways, if you're reading this post is because you probably know me and want to know what I'm up to. In a couple of weeks I'll be turning the Audio Relay back to the Temporary Services in chicago. It will be a party, I'll play with AZ and bring some giant paper mache heads called Dead Druglords. There will be also another opening in Caracas, Venezuela with some of my drawings... they will be for sale so help me out for once! because I'll be unemployed in a few weeks.
I'll be sitting on my ass at my Brother & wife's house, eating crunchy cheetos and watching cable TV. Yes, this is what an MFA degree is for!
9.11.2008
end of a long term project
Some of you might know, I presented my MFA thesis project last week at Purdue University. I've been here for 3 and a half years working in Radio Chigüiro and that has led me to know very interesting people and projects some music related other academic. It is unknown what will come up for me next (scary). I want to take a break to think about what I want to do with my degree... I'm still teaching, but I have a new class called Electronic Media Studio (EMS) and is very challenging. I'm looking forward new opportunities and offers to keep working in teaching, art and design.
3.27.2008
MEATBALLZ MADE IT TO SXSW!
this person made this pic private. thanks!
sxsw - Coathangers_008
Originally uploaded by VAM! Photography
This is a picture from The Coathangers at SXSW, Austin. It's really cool to see a traveling meatball. ROCKIN BALLS, ROLLIN BALLS!
sxsw - Coathangers_008
Originally uploaded by VAM! Photography
2.27.2008
Latest projects
I've been working a lot over the last couple of months... A lot of stuff with people from Colombia. A shirt design for Lecca-Lecca A couple of illustrations for books on a new publisher called editorial el bosque. A lot of activities with the CAI lately too... We just did a bunch of stuff for a M.O.T.O. / Coathangers/ Drumkit show in Zoolegers nightclub last friday (zines, props, prints) and we're also invited to be part of "on procession" a project from the IMA (indianapolis museum of art). I'm doing some circuit bending instruments for a class, so pretty soon you'll see some wild stuff. Last but not least, here is a link to my new band... we try to keep everything really simple: the meatballz
Don't forget to check Radio Chiguiro. Militia Mondays rule!
Don't forget to check Radio Chiguiro. Militia Mondays rule!
1.27.2008
I got it!
After almost a month of deep concentration and thought, I discovered the way I feel. All this time (years, centuries) had been there, but I didn't know what it was. It's FRUSTRATION!!!... Any ideas on how to deal with it?