Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariela G. Domínguez.
Hi Mariela, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am the daughter of exiled parents from different nations bordering Argentina during the infamous context of the decades from the 70s to the 80s in Latin America.
I had three siblings -I being the youngest daughter- with whom I would play by creating theater performances or choreographies. We had fun and fought constantly. Although we lived in a suburb, we had access to a great art school and after school program where we spent 4 hours between music, dance and plastic art classes.
In the 90s we moved to Santiago de Chile and much later, in that same city, I began my studies in graphic communication. During and after graduating from a University, I began working on the development and production of exhibition projects, with a focus on graphic design and communication. A few years later I returned to Buenos Aires to carry out other studies related to project management and decided to stay.
The city of Buenos Aires, at that time of my life, presented itself to me as a dynamic place that unfolded new possibilities. There I continued my work as an independent designer and creator, as well as continuing my education with classes in Art Criticism. Together with my partner and a group of very talented friends and artists, we participated in several artistic projects, activities, installation, exhibitions, performances, etc. All these experiences instated art as the center of my interest.
I curated and organized exhibitions, both of my artwork and of other artists, and other cultural projects in Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile and in Montevideo. Around 2016 with my husband, who is originally from Houston, we moved to Texas where I have continued my work with cultural management projects mainly aimed at promoting young and Hispanic American art. I have collaborated with various local institutions such as the Consulate General of Mexico in Houston, the Institute of Hispanic Culture of Houston and the Casa Cultural de las Americas, carrying out initiatives such as Open Calls for artists exhibitions, film screenings, exhibitions, event production and supporting them in strengthening their communications.
Alongside my work as a cultural producer, I have continued my work as a visual artist. I have participated in group exhibitions in Dallas, Austin, and was proudly accepting to show a work in CraftTexas 2018 at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, amongst other galleries and art centers of Houston.
I have also received the Support Artist Creative Initiative grant for a multi-disciplinary immersive installation and recently received another grant to develop a micro-documentary program, both with funding through the Houston Art Alliance.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The path of the independent artistic is fraught with obstacles. Mainly obtaining funding is the biggest challenge and setback. However, over the years it’s fascinating to watch how this situation obligates the artist to develop more creative ways to achieve their project goals.
On the other hand, sharing collaborative experiences with other artists is also one of the most enriching experiences you can have.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
For the past few years and mainly since I settled in Houston, I have combined my creative work between the development of my own artistic work and the management of artistic and cultural projects. I like to integrate my personal interests such as folk art, street art or media experimentation in the development of projects that are attractive and that are a contribution to the general culture of the population. Towards the end of the year 2021, I presented an immersive installation project entitled Fantasma, which was a huge production challenge with the participation of several artists and different media: poetry, music, dance and painting. My main interest was the possibility of establishing a dialogue with the viewers and hearing about their impressions. It was also gift and personal experience to receive good reviews about the project from the public. That has been without a doubt one of the best experiences of my life.
In relation to my artistic production, my pieces are very elaborate, colorful and saturated. The main material that I use is a homemade putty that I combine with objects found on the street. Some of my favorite pieces are street signs or pieces of wood. In my artistic work, I experiment with more visceral aspects of my life, but at the same time, I integrate aspects related to my political and social context. I try to incite a joint reflection on the political and social elements established in our society, with a special interest in issues of class and gender structure. My purpose is to critically associate the domestic environment with the public and social context. With my work I have been able to participate in several exhibitions: Archway Gallery, Houston Center Contemporary Craft, Houston Art Car Museum and Craighead Green Gallery in Dallas, to name a few. My wish is to continue with this work while exploring new techniques.
What were you like growing up?
My childhood was fun, with siblings and neighborhood friends to run around with and play while living in a healthy environment. Although my memories are vague, I would say that I was a loving and calm girl. I liked to draw stereotypical romantic fantasy scenes, which I guess I was inspired by conventional fairy tales with castles and a Prince Charming. But on the other hand, my parents agree that I was always stubborn. I always identified with the weakest or less popular, be it a friend or a situation, I never remained silent in the face of something that I considered an injustice, rightly or wrongly I was the one who provided the last word on the discussion. In perspective, that terrible characteristic has been maintained over time.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I was about six years old, I remember sitting in the shade on the edge of the sidewalk in front of my house. The street was very quiet and it was midsummer. I was observing a path of ants, those big and black ones, and while I saw that path of dark lines I imagined that our consciousness was part of a larger consciousness and that in turn that larger one was part of another even larger one. Something like a dream within another dream or an awareness of the existence of several dimensions. It was an incomprehensible moment and close to ecstasy where I could visualize a reality superior to my immediate circumstances. It was strange, but the feeling of lucidity was very pervasive.
Contact Info:
- Email: mdominguez@xzzx.com.ar
- Website: http://be-longing.xzzx.com.ar/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xzzxart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xzzxart/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MarielaDominguezXZZX
- Other: http://be-longing.xzzx.com.ar
Image Credits
Mariela G. Dominguez
Paul R. Davis
