THE PASEO, A NEW FESTIVAL BRINGING THE ART OF INSTALLATION, PERFORMANCE, AND PROJECT TO THE STREETS OF TAOS, IS COMING UP ON SEPTEMBER 26. LIVETAOS IS PARTNERING WITH THE PASEO TO BRING YOU GREAT INTERACTIVE COVERAGE BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE EVENT!
THIS SERIES PROFILES SOME OF THE MANY FABULOUS ARTISTS BRINGING THEIR WORK TO TAOS FOR THE PASEO.
Live Taos caught up with Hector Leiva in New York City via email. We want to know what makes him tick. We want you to know what beauty and amazement you can look forward to at The Paseo. Here’s some insight about Hector who beautifully plays with the art of sound and memory.
Hector Leiva is a computer and network-based artist who uses video, installation, and software applications to address themes of alienation, identity, and the construction of memories. He received his MFA in Photographic and Electronic Media from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2011.
LT: What most excites you about coming to Taos?
Unfortunately, I am unable to make it to Taos this year. But New Mexico has been on my mind for years since I last visited and I want to end up working there later in my life. New Mexico is gorgeous and I feel better and more clear-headed there than anywhere else in the world. It lives up to its name as the Land of Enchantment.
LT: Which one of the five senses intrigues you the most?
I am truly particular to sound (obviously!). Personally, my hearing isn’t the best, but the access that sound has on the mind is subtle and powerful. Sound animates the mind to fill up with images and movements that can’t be emulated. Sound is both personal and public depending on circumstance and that is why I like playing with sound quite a bit.
LT: How do you feel that the type of non-traditional work you’re doing (and that The Paseo is presenting) changes the dialogue about art?
Artists have been working with innovative technologies for centuries. I believe that the art dialogue isn’t of how “radical” these computing systems (mobile computers, the internet, cloud computing, etc..) are anymore, but that the dialogue is what humans choose to do with these systems morally. My contribution to this dialogue is that these tools do not have to dictate our lives. These tools can be used for liberation and we shouldn’t be afraid of them.
LT: If someone really gets into your work, who else should they check out? Who are your teachers?
The professor who has guided me the most is Timothy Druckrey who is the director of Photographic and Electronic Media program @ MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art). He was my gateway to these other artists/scientists/innovators/etc. that defy categories and have completely inspired me. Here’s a brief list of other people to read about (in no particular order):
- Étienne-Jules Marey
- Eadweard Muybridge
- Janet Cardiff
- Jim Campbell
- ART+COM
LT: What’s your favorite book or movie right now?
If I had to pick just one film as a favorite; one that seems to embody a sense of mastery of cinema, and the fragility and poetic beauty of humanity — that film would most likely be “Stalker” by Andrei Tarkovsky.
LT: Anything else you want us to know about your or your work? And how can we check out more of it?
When I first released the app (The Matter of Memory app) on the App Store, a lot of international users downloaded it first. There are recordings in completely different languages. I would like to know what they’ve said someday. For any and all information you can visit http://thematterofmemory.com – there are links on how to get a hold of me and any updates will be done through there.
To participate in his work and download the app, visit his website The Matter of Memory.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PASEO AND ALL THE ATTENDING ARTISTS HERE. STAY TUNED TO LIVETAOS FOR ONGOING COVERAGE, AND A GREAT INTERACTIVE DIGITAL MAP OF ALL THE PASEO’S SITES!
READ INSTALLMENT #1, FILIPA VALENTE, HERE.
READ INSTALLENT #2, MARKUS DORNINGER, HERE.
READ INSTALLMENT #3, BEN LINK COLLINS, HERE.
Read installment #4, Sasha von Dorp, here.