Pixel “Vincent Pixel Remix” (2014) 320 x 180 cm After “Self Portait” Vincent van Gogh (1889)
Move over, Invader. There’s a new kid in Santiago, Chile who is taking mosaic street art to a whole new level. Exploring the intersection of art and technology, Jorge Campos, who likes to be known as Pixel, shares his images of cultural heroes and riffs on art icons with the people of Santiago where they live – in their own neighborhoods.
Here is what the artist has to say about himself:
Pixel is an artist from Santiago, Chile, who started his design career when it was still hard to think that visual design will evolve towards technologies, as it prevails today. Today, the use of technology is not only an obligation, but a responsibility, as it allows us to record our history and improve our design and artistic tools.
Pixel “Eye Tracking” (2013) 150 x 150 cm
Street art has been a main inspiration in Pixel’s artistic development. For two years, he worked in Paris taking photos of the explosive art found on the streets, capturing works by great artists like Blek Le Rat, Jef Aérosol, Miss. Tic, Lézarts Biévre. More from the artist:
In Paris, he learned firsthand of the work of Space Invader who inspired him to research pixel and mosaic techniques. Subsequently, he studied the religious and decorative mosaics of Mesopotamia, Greece and Byzantium. He began to explore the use of the pixel to create simplified images that synthesized color and form to its limit. Now, he has reached a cohesion between photography, mosaic, and dominant technological tools to create his own signature technique.
Pixel “Tribute to Nicanor Parra Remix” (2014) 150 x 200 cm. After a portrait by Jean Franco Castro. Parra is a Chilean poet, mathematician and physicist. Photo via www.platformaurbana.cl
Today, the artist is on a mission to make art easily accessible to the people of Santiago. He calls his installations “interventions” and believes that his mosaic images will inspire people to become engaged with art. And it appears to be working.
We asked the artist what the reaction has been to the mosaics:
At first, people think they are facing a painting. Approaching and touching, they realize they are in fact facing a mosaic. Then, they wonder if it was really hand made. They also play with distance to appreciate the work in detail, take photos, and when the image is revealed perfect and detailed on the small screens of their smartphones, they fall for it!
Pixel “M-Maybe Remix Lichtenstein” (2014) 80 x 80 cm After Roy Lichtenstein “M-Maybe” (1965)
All of Pixel’s interventions include a plaque with a QR code that will take the viewer to his online portfolio. There, people can see how he makes the mosaics and find other works of his across the city.
Pixel “Mirada Alucinada” 2013 320 x 130 cm. After Phillip Hasman portrait of Salvador Dali
Pixel “Tribute to Neruda” (2014) 194 x 210 cm.
Pixel “Game Over” (2013) 150 x 150 cm.
Jorge Campos “Pixel”
We like Jorge Campos and what he is doing on the streets of Santiago. Bravo!
Enjoy – Nancie
RESOURCES:
- Pixel’s Facebook Page
- Instagram Account
- Interview with Platforma Urbana
- Interview on Esponce about Pixel’s use of QR Codes
- All photos courtesy of the artist unless otherwise noted.