Chris Tobar, who's base is in multimedia arts, incorporated his skill with prints, pastes, spray paint and digital art into the works displayed and it was evident as mentioned before. Tobar has been a familiar face in the Orlando art scene for a while now; co-founder of the collective of local artists known as B-Side, a group that Guerrier is also a part of, and a seasoned creative who is over 20 years in the game. Indigenous in hindsight seems like another step closer to the cohesion of local artists that he has said he'd like to see more of in Orlando.
Guerrier on the other end is an artist progressing through the stages of expansion, pushing limits and testing his own artistic boundaries, hence the collaboration with Tobar. The Miami native has had experience with different streams of art from painting to even animation, but his home, as he has said in earlier conversations is with the paint brush and palette and his photography. But he isn't trying to limit himself to just that.
During the event I got the opportunity to ask both artists about Indigenous and how it all came about. It was an interesting fire from the eye of the beholders, beholders who are more down to earth than most would readily give the average artist credit to be. Read on to gain more insight on the process and the event itself.
Why the name Indigenous?
Chris: It's the world, it's the land, it's where we are you know? Its us.
Peterson: It's where we came from. It's basically the indigenous species or however you want to call it and us transferring that into the art world.
How did the collaboration come about?
Peterson: For years we've tried to collaborate but it never happened. Then one show popped up where we had a collab piece together and once it dropped we was like yo, we should do a show! Driving to that show we were talking about how dope the piece came out and we came to the conclusion. The name for the show, well that came about on our way back from the Basel. We were driving at like 6'oclock in the morning just dropping names, then the name indigenous came up and we were like bam, there it go.
Working with someone, especially voluntarily, you always seem to notice things that the other can do in ways you cannot, and vice versa. After working together on a full exhibit, could either of you say that there are some things that got you re-tweaking your game?
Chris: This guy can paint! He can kill it with painting, I mean kills it! I'm just an illustrator, i'm a designer.
Peterson: Yeah same thing, these pieces are like my favorites. After seeing how he did the transfer alone, I'm like I want to start doing this in my pieces now. I've always wanted to create screen prints for some of my pieces but I never got around to getting the whole entire thing, and after seeing how we can put this thing together, I really wanted to, again, push the limit and create something new out of what was already there.
What was the funnest part of all of this? It's creation? The end product? Or is it something more specific?
Peterson: Coming to my house late at night and creating (laughter).
Chris: I think that was the funnest part of this entire process, just hanging out. We've always been friends, so it was easy.
Peterson: It brought us closer.
Chris: Yeah and even with the experimentation and getting ideas, it wasn't like everything we were going to fully use. He's a photographer and I'm starting to get into videography, and I respect him as a photographer. I wanted to bounce ideas and just kinda see what we can create, and to get some more images as well for his pieces. It evolved but it was fun. Drinking, staying up tip like 6'oclock in the morning, passing out on the sofa after creating.
So you guy's were creating in the same space?
Chris: For the most part, I went to his house and worked.
Peterson: Yeah, he would do his thing, I started my pieces and from there we just came together and started seeing how it would mesh. Even though we had a name for the show, we didn't have a full concept because it was more like you do your thing, i do my thing, and we'll put it together and see how it just meshed.
Chris: Theres a lot of other pieces that probably should be here, but hey next show.
So when's the next one?
Chris: I have no idea.
Peterson: We don't know yet, we just have to assume. I mean we have different projects that we're putting together right now that will be more than just painting and illustrating, actually getting the people of the city, those who don't know about us here, to get involved instead of just walking across the street to a bar. Have it like: this is in front of your eyes right now so you have to interact with it and take notice of not only this, but all the great movements going on in Orlando.
So to conclude, how do you guys feel personally about the Orlando art scene?
Chris: Love it! I mean theres a lot of great artists here so I can't really hate on the art scene because we are the ones making the art scene. If I'm hating on the art scene, I'm only hating on myself. If it wasn't for us starting B-Side 7 years ago, there wouldn't be this type of work really keeping hold. There ere so many galleries out here that came and left, and we're the ones sticking around. We keep experimenting, we keep changing, evolving, and we keep showing people we're changing. We don't want to be here to make new fans and just leave.
Peterson: It's like what's the point, yeah we can go 3 hours away and see different things-- people make it seem like the Basel is the only big movement and all, but its whats here. If you start putting the effort behind it, there's no point of going to Miami, there's a movement here.
To view more photos of the event follow @TheArtXchange on instgram, like Redefine Arts on Facebook, and check out the Chris Tobar's and Peterson Guerrier's personal links by clicking the jump.
Check out this Short Documentary filmed by a student about the Orlando Art Scene. The Video includes the artists Mark Tr3, German Lemus, Chris Chio, Chris Tobar and Genevieve DeMarco. Shot and edited by Ariel Thomas
Twelve 21 Gallery presents Unmasked, a new exhibition by Orlando
multimedia and graphic artist, Christopher “Tobar” Rodriguez. Tobar’s
urban-inflected work is characterized by stencil, spray paint, and
digital design, notable for the portrayals of his iconic Man in The
Mask character. The show signifies a transitory voyage for the
artist, collecting recent pieces that feature the Man in The Mask and
introducing a realm of new characters and inspirations. Twelve21
hosts a free opening reception on Friday August 17 from 7:00 - 10:00
pm with complimentary beer and wine.
Here is a great video by Univision news on the street art scene in Miami's Wynwood area. We spotted some Florida artists in this segment such as Dolla AM7, Crummy Gummy, Chris Tobar and Tatiana Suarez. Enjoy!
Info on video: Many regard Wynwood as the largest street art installation in the world, with over 300 works by a range of artists— from world renowned Shepard Fairey and Brazilian artist Nunca, to local graffiti artists.
