Her works have been exhibited since 2013 in contemporary art centers such as the IAACC Pablo Serrano, ETOPIA Art and Technology Centre, the Blank Space at the USJ, in the Joaquín Roncal Sala i_10 at the CAI Foundation, as well as at galleries such as Mayoral (Barcelona) and Renace (Jaén), and national fairs including JustMad, Manchester Contemporary, and Urvanity. She was given an Honourable Mention at the 19th Mainel Foundation Painting Awards in 2016, the Second Francisco Pradilla Prize for painting in 2018, the Arte Aparte Prize from the City Council of Carolina (Jaén) in 2021, the Call for Artists from San Jorge University in2022 and in that same year, the Prize for the artist from or living in Aragón under the age of 35 who has stood out for his/her artistic projection from the Art Critics Association of Aragón. She has also obtained grants such as the A3rte Grant awarded by Bodegas Enate for the Glocalisms. 0Km Four Aragonese artists will project at the Impact Hub space in Zaragoza in 2023. She currently works in Zaragoza.
Can you tell us about your artistic approach and how you combine influences from Vaporwave discourse and digital references with classical techniques in your work?
The combination of Vaporwave influences and digital references with classical techniques in my work reflects this intersection between the old and the new, the analog and the digital. I use colors that emulate a digital palette, pixelated images, and glitch graphics to evoke the Vaporwave aesthetic, the nostalgia, and the retrofuturistic aesthetic that characterize this discourse. However, I also rely on classical artistic techniques such as drawing and oil painting to add depth and other historical references. I like to combine the old and the new, the analog and the digital, to create works that evoke a sense of nostalgia but also feel fresh and contemporary; my work reflects this intersection between the old and the new. In summary, my artistic approach seeks to integrate influences from different generations, such as X and Z.
Social media plays a significant role in shaping contemporary interactions. How do you believe platforms like social media have influenced how people interact with each other and the world around them?
Social media plays a significant role in shaping contemporary interactions. I believe platforms like social media have had a profound impact on how people interact with each other and the world around them. These platforms have facilitated instant connection and communication, allowing individuals to stay in touch with friends, family, and communities worldwide in a more accessible way than ever before. However, they have also brought with them information overload, increased polarization, and the creation of a culture of constant comparison. In summary, social media has transformed how we relate to and perceive the world, offering both opportunities and challenges in our contemporary social and cultural landscape. I believe it is a valuable tool, and it is up to us how we choose to use it.
How would you describe the process by which you realize your artistic ideas from conception to realization, especially in the context of media art?
The process I follow in the development of my paintings, sculptures, installations, etc. is completely analog. As a starting point, I try to research the topic to be developed and look for references to generate context. Then, I usually start with several pencil sketches, which are later worked on with volume or in the pictorial plane. During the pandemic, I began recording the creative processes under the motto ‘Art is process, not product’. I learned to edit them to alternate images of the artistic exercise with references to anime or other sources related to each piece. I feel that each piece has its own soundtrack, and since music has been my second passion, I started producing songs by mixing cuts from those I had been listening to repeatedly during the production process of each artwork. This led to what I have titled ‘vaportapes’, videos showing the development of each artwork.
Could you provide us with insight into your creative process?
In the case of sculptures using materials such as resin, Monster Clay, fiberglass, bronze, etc., I usually sculpt in MonsterClay and then make a silicone mold to produce the final piece in the definitive material, but it depends a lot on each artwork. I enjoy experimenting with different materials and finding new formulas in both sculpture and painting. In terms of painting, I often vary between materials such as oil, acrylic, and markers with alcohol or acrylic base, but I never use digital printing or design, although lately I am very interested in 3D modeling and may apply it to some future projects. A couple of months ago, I acquired an airbrush, which is the latest tool I am working with. The majority of my painting supports are wood, sometimes paper, which I always end up framing. I don’t use canvas as it is too textured for my taste, and I enjoy the smoother texture of wood or paper.”
How do you spend your free time?
I enjoy observing and listening. I believe that, as an artist, I derive inspiration not only from study and research but also from life experiences. That’s why I love to travel, both for work and pleasure, spending time with my friends or family, which ultimately feels quite similar, whether it’s on a terrace discussing life on a terrace.
I love to read; currently, I’m engrossed in Donna Tartt’s work, absolutely fascinated, combined with ‘En los márgenes del mito’ by Helena González and Luis Unceta. Of course, in my free time, I also paint; I usually sketch in a notebook that I carry with me regularly. I also enjoy mixing music; I have a small DDJ-REV1 and use it whenever I can for sessions. Video games also play a part in my free time; I usually play on Game Boy Color or Nintendo 64, although I also have Oculus with a few games. I love watching different anime; currently, I’m watching Kimetsu no Yaiba, and the last manga I read was Platinum End. Lately, I’ve been enjoying cooking; it relaxes me a lot, and according to A. Tourist (my boyfriend), I’m not half bad at it.
How does a typical day look for you?
The typical day is an atypical one. Due to work, I have to travel a lot, and it’s rare to have two identical weeks. The routine in the studio is variable, as it depends a lot on what type of project I am working on, whether it’s painting, sculpture, video editing, or music. However, there could be a common formula when it comes to studio days. I usually go early in the morning and, upon arrival, dedicate a few hours to the pieces I’m currently working on. I usually have at least a couple of works in progress to avoid saturating my sight with just one. If I get stuck on one, I continue with the other, and when I return to the first one, it usually flows better. I always have several ideas in my head, and I find it very stimulating to have several pieces in progress. While working, I usually listen to music, although I also love listening to podcasts; I’m hooked on ‘Deforme semanal, la ideal total’. An hour or two before lunch, whatever it may be, I spend an hour or two on the computer. Answering emails, writing projects, drafting texts, etc. My house is two songs away from my studio, so I usually stop for about an hour or an hour and a quarter and then return to the studio immediately to continue working on my pieces. This second part of the day lasts at least until 8:30 or 9 and sometimes extends indefinitely.
Do you already have any plans for 2024?
have several projects lined up for 2024. Recently, I concluded the exhibition ‘Kawaii!! Past, Present, Future. Ira Torres’, curated by Alejandra Rodríguez Cunchillos at the Pablo Gargallo Museum, where I shared the space with solo collection works, including pieces by Murakami, Yoshitaka Amano… It was truly a dream. Soon, the Feat. Project will be inaugurated, a collaborative project centered around the Game Boy, where each piece is a collaboration with a different artist, and it already comprises over a hundred pieces. This project has already been exhibited at venues such as 95Gallery Madrid and Fundación CAI in Zaragoza, and it will continue to tour. For updates on upcoming projects, I invite you to follow me on Instagram, where I update my pieces and projects daily.
Ira Torres – www.iratorres.com, www.instagram.com/ira__torres/
