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Artist Uses Images to Reconnect With Multicultural Identity |
| By
Deanna Lytle |
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Oct 18, 2004 |
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| Constant Misunderstanding by Andrew Ortiz |
Corn, pre-Columbian iconography, and meso-American art and architecture combine in Andrew Ortiz’s exploration of ethnicity and identity, “Disconnection/Reconnection,” at the Center for the Visual Arts Clement Gallery.
The exhibit of digital images will be on display until Nov. 12, with an artist’s reception being held on Thursday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Haigh Auditorium.
Ortiz, assistant professor in the department of art and art history at the University of Texas at Arlington, was born to Mexican parents and explores his multicultural identity in the exhibit. “Trying to ‘fit in,’ many have become disconnected from their own culture. Through this project I am trying to explore, understand and possibly reconnect with my estranged cultural background,” he explained.
Beginning in 1992, Ortiz has used a computer to create his artwork. He described the transition from “taking” photographs to “making” them. “Photography is loosely based on the premise that pictures are taken, not made,” he began. “This is obviously an oversimplification of the process; however, for me, using the computer has emphasized the difference between taking and making an image. I have found that picture elements can be organized and expressed in a much more conscious and purposeful way with digital imaging.”
Ortiz begins the creative process by recording thoughts and drawing an image in a sketchbook. Next, he scans pictures and items and collages them on the computer screen. “I think the most difficult part of the process is coming up with the idea, making choices of what goes where and what changes to make,” he said.
“Constant Misunderstanding,” one of the pieces in the exhibit, is made up of about 20 separate digital pictures, including bird claws and a picture of the artist himself 25 years ago. “Each scanned image is cropped and placed on top of each other in a specific order using a software called Adobe Photoshop,” he explained. “Using this software I made some of the claws more translucent than others. I then manipulated the direction of the light and the contrast level. Again, the challenging part is deciding what to manipulate and when.”
Ortiz’s exhibits have appeared in the United States and abroad in Mexico, Italy and Brazil. He also received the En Foco New Photography 2000 Award and the Juror’s Award from the Fort Worth Art Dealer’s Association. In addition, he was a finalist and selected artist in Photo Metro Magazine’s 10th annual competition.
Hours for the free, public exhibit are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m.
For more information, contact the UT art department at 419.530.8300.
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