PARAFENO

HOW DO YOU GET INTO DIGITAL ART?

I guess, deep down, I always knew I had a creative spark but never imagined myself working in this field. I was always the typical quiet and obedient kid who got good grades. Even though my parents gave me the space and privilege to study whatever I wanted, I did what was expected of me, which was to pursue a 'smart' career like engineering, and that's how I ended up moving to Madrid.

Gradually, I realized that wasn't where I belonged. Although the design courses in the program gave me some hope and somehow opened me up to the world of digital art. I started with simple personal projects that amused me, without any expectations. I told personal stories, always tied to childhood and that inexplicable yearning of children raised in small towns.

Deep down, these were things I had always felt but hadn't yet found a way to express. I always felt that it was the digital medium that found me, not the other way around.

HOW DID YOU BECOME A TEACHER AT IED, WHAT DO YOU DO AT THE CENTER, AND HOW DO YOU MANAGE IT?

Again, something I never imagined in a thousand lifetimes, haha! It was thanks to the folks at Hyper Studio, who organize the Digital Fashion Master's at IED. I had previously worked with them at the MMMAD digital art festival, and they thought I'd be a good fit for the master's program. They're really great people, I hold them dear.

Within the master's program, I'm in charge, along with Pau Jimenez (@urticae_), of a subject on space and avatars focused on digital fashion.

Actually, the students are roughly the same age as me. It was intimidating at first, but you get used to it. I believe it's important for contemporary education to have a young and dynamic teaching team. I remember during my undergrad, most professors were completely disconnected from the present, and that lack of freshness obviously affected the subject matter and how it was conveyed.

I feel very close to my students, especially in contrast to the distant student-teacher dynamic in traditional university settings. I know they feel better understood and relieved of that invisible barrier, which is honestly very comforting.

COLLABORATIONS. PROJECTS. RECOGNITION. WHAT RESPONSE DOES THE AUDIENCE HAVE AS A RESULT?

Recently, I had the privilege of collaborating with Lexus on creating a piece titled 'Veil Guardian.' This work was commissioned as a short video art film to commemorate the launch of their new LBX model. I chose to illustrate the creative process in an allegorical and mythological way, exploring artistic conception uniquely. As a result of this collaboration, Lexus invited me to exhibit some of my works in their dealerships during the months of March and April.

Last October, I had the opportunity to present my first solo exhibition titled 'The Stars Say No' as part of the ADNForum installation design exhibition at Plaza Colón. Through this showcase, I explored themes such as doubt, the search for identity, and the human condition, using personal references that evoke moments from my childhood and their connections to contemporary experiences in my life.

In my creative journey, I aim to find a balance between commissioned work for brands or artists and the development of my personal projects. I firmly believe that this balance is crucial for generating innovative and meaningful ideas. Although navigating between these two realms can be complex, I consider finding that optimal point a challenge shared by most creatives, and I am committed to continuing to explore that intersection to keep growing and evolving as an artist.

WHAT DO THESE DAYS OF ART, DESIGN, AND CREATIVITY MEAN TO YOU AS SOMEONE WHO FOCUSES A STEP FURTHER, IN THE DIGITAL ERA?

In a world where we're constantly marketed to, the pressure to become content creators or work for brands often disconnects us from our creative essence and depersonalizes us. Currently, I'm in a constant process of reevaluating my priorities and my role as an artist.