A personal project which tried to connect people with visual arts by creating a virtual and live experience. By working with bacterial cellulose (Kombucha), I made a series of art pieces that resembled an online conversation (Instagram/Whatsapp). The objective was to visualize the inner thoughts of the participants. This was presented at a performative art show that questioned the concept of the Argentine phrase ¿todo bien? (You good?), to demonstrate that humans are not always fine.
My objective was to create an art piece which involved user's inner thoughts. I wanted people to connect with art as I did, to feel they are part of it.
What desires do you accomplish when dreaming? What would you admit? What would you say to yourself if you were other person? Why do we lie? Do you miss something? What impossible thing would you like for it to happen?
I created a bond with Instagram users who followed me as I shared personal questions I had, and they helped me to answer them. I designed a trust system.
I need your help. I want to make an art piece. Can you be Art and help me? It is very simple, it only requires you to chat with me. Are you ready for it?
To visualize all this information I found a material called Bacterial Cellulose. Is a component of the drink Kombucha which I dried and manipulated to create art pieces.
Sol
Tom
Ramón
Abril
Each art piece corresponded to a participant, the content was a curated conversation between me and them. I did two art shows with this content.The second one was in the context of Microarte, a theatrical art exhibition that demanded me to create an immersive experience about a specific topic, contrast.
According to my project, I presented the pieces once more and invited all the participants, and people who were part of my social media environment to come over. I pasted some questions throughout the city to encourage the show. During the presentation people saw their responses on the screen and heard my own reflection about contrast.
The message was that we are not fine all the time although we try to be, however we pretend to. We use a constant mask.
At the end I gave each a jar with Kombucha, which had the Cellulose Bacteria growing in it. As they opened the lid a final random question presented.
In conclusion, people cried. I saw my role as an artist and a designer accomplished. I was able to find an opportunity of design, connecting people with art, creating a method to target it and illustrating the results of my project to the audience. I combined, working with a sustainable new material, social media, and most essential, people. I saw my closest relationships presented themselves as vulnerable and transparent.
