This week's feature is Javi @shapes.galore an artist that works with collages, paintings, sculptures, and other mediums that it's always interesting to see! I pray PRAY for the Shapes Galore x Gavi @1teaspoonhoney collab! I also low key pray to make a fun collage together! For now I dream. Feel free to take a look at his work and take a moment and analyze what you see. From the mechanical pieces ticking and scrunching to the colors and landscapes. Trace the lines with your eyes and see what you can stumble on. That's the fun in collages you'll always stumble upon a new detail the more you look!
Javi starts us off by mentioning what he's been enjoying as of recently "I've had momentum with these new pieces and I like pushing these things out, It's fulfilling, but really I'm wrapping up with this collage stuff, I think that's why I have this momentum. I still have several more ideas to execute, but I've got other kinds of projects lined up, and they are really important to me. I'm just really looking forward to throwing myself into what's next. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, you know. I've got some music I work on, some fabric pieces, some paintings, some sculpture stuff I've been playing with, chipping away. And I mean I play video games, I love chess, I like a good movie, hanging out with the cats, I do have a life, but there are so many things I've got to do. Staying busy really does make me happy." I too enjoying hanging out with my cats, but I totally get that. There's just so much to do with so "little" time, but hey at least we're doing something and at least we are enjoying it. I have some ideas too that I have on paper that for sure need to be executed, but first structured correctly. Javi goes on to give a shout out "my girlfriend Gabriella. She helps me challenge and learn more about myself. Super inspiring person. I wouldn't have met you or any other artists without her." Too cute! I feel that
We begin the interview by asking Javi how he would describe his art style?
"Such a simple question. Why is it so hard. Some descriptive words here. Why certain shapes and colors move me, I don't know. To describe my specific manner of expression, I don't know. It's all by feeling. Art is an ineffable thing, I want to say that by following my heart, I've arrived here, and by following my heart I will leave. And I think it's important for every creative person to not get stuck in a place of comfort." It is a "simple question" but I can understand how it can be "hard." I got interviewed yesterday by Pulse Magazine and even with the "simple" questions I got stuck as I answered "what is out in the 956" haha because as Javi says " It's all by feeling. Art is an ineffable thing, I want to say that by following my heart, I've arrived here, and by following my heart I will leave." It's a bit hard to explain, but within myself/ourselves we know the answer. Wonder on Javi's art style if he could give it a name what would it be as he says "I don't know how to describe it, and I don't know if I care for a name." Even if Javi may not give it a name something that I'd say is that it's cool as heck.
I have this one on my wall. I looked at it for a good while. I didn't know which side was the "correct" side to place it. Looking at it on my wall I got it "correct." Isn't that the "beauty" of collages? Turn it and turn it you'll find yourself looking at probably four different things? Maybe that's just me.
Continuing on the topic of art styles what is it about his style that Javi enjoys as he explains "It's in the process that I find joy. Destroy and create, there's nothing better. When I first started doing collage stuff it was just supposed to be an exercise. I remember the feeling of peace. In a way, it feels like putting a puzzle together. I'm embarrassed to say I got carried away and lost track of time. It's just another passion now. To make collages. Even if it's not collaged, style translates across mediums, it all comes from the same place." I wouldn't say it's "embarrassing" because aren't we just having fun creating? Cutting and tearing and putting it together like a "puzzle." I've been meaning to create a collage with my imported magazines, but I overthink it, but then I think about how fun it would be? Maybe a collage workshop one day? We shall see! I remembering water coloring and just seeing how the hours went away. I expressed myself and there's nothing better than having a moment to ourselves. I remember taking part of Entre's second community film and man the ideas I released on that (while being 2 tallboys in) was really fun! Even writing these features which is a passion I would say takes time and it goes without me noticing. So to the embarrassment one may feel, hey just do it and enjoy it. Fuck it.
Is there anything Javi wishes to experiment with?
"Oh sure. I have an archive of video feedback footage, tons of stills, actual photographs, watercolor paintings, and a few interesting books. All to be ripped up and experimented with. Also to collaborate with other artists could be a great experiment. These are plans I have. There's just never enough time in the day. Too many things to do. What helps me is writing it all down. I do still have these ideas I've got to see through. But like I said, I'm trying to wrap up here. Other things are calling, and I have to answer, you know. I'm sure in the future I will circle around again. I just got to follow where it takes me at the moment. My problem is I obsess with one thing at a time. If I could do it all at the same time that would be great, but the way my mind works. One thing gets all my focus at a time. Just whatever calls the loudest." I'm just imagining the stacks of video, photographs and watercolors and such just yelling "tear me to shreds Javi!" as he turns it all into something new. I do agree that writing things down is helpful. I always have a couple of journals ready by personal computer if needed. I mean hey even if we are hyper focuses on one thing let's make the best out of it. No need to over stimulate ourselves either or have it eat away at our mind. As long as we're doing something and it's fun for sure.
When it comes to Javi's work I can look and look and always find myself lost in a new area as I begin to scan it once again. How does he feel looking into his own work? "The truth is once I finish a piece I put it away, and in a place I cant see. Occasionally I will bring out older pieces to be destroyed, but for the most part, once something is done, I'm done with it and I don't want to think about it. It's natural to just look forward. However, since I've been showing my art, I've been forced to look at it, and share it with people. I'm not used to it. I like it, but it is new. I don't know how many people feel this way, but the feeling is in the moment. It's only me in the moment, during the process. Although it's not made for the world, and I only realize this now, if it's something I choose to share, it is a gift. That is, it comes as it is, and that's all. That's what a gift is, and once I give something to the world it's no longer mine." As Javi mentions about his art being his, but once put out it's become a gift as he says " Although it's not made for the world, and I only realize this now, if it's something I choose to share, it is a gift. That is, it comes as it is, and that's all. That's what a gift is, and once I give something to the world it's no longer mine." The artist is by themselves creating art works with their thoughts, emotions, and steps taken to create or even if it was just in the moment to create with no particular meaning. It is their work to bear, but once put out it has become available for the viewers to perceive. He may not be used to it, but I have you know what Javi? I have one of your prints on my wall next to Gavi's and I enjoy the gift given onto me so thank you.
What does Javi wish to evoke from the viewer looking at your work as he says
"I don't wish to evoke anything. Whatever is felt is valid. If anyone can get anything from my work I'm pleased. It's not meant for everybody. It's meant for nobody. But if it speaks to you in any way I'm pleased. All interpretations and judgments are valid. If the stuff I've made speaks to anyone, that is beautiful. If it doesn't that is beautiful too." I like what Javi mentions when it comes to his work "It's not meant for everybody. It's meant for nobody." Which to me sounds universal. It's what the artist put time in and effort and probably even lost gaming sessions over. It's theirs, it's yours.
Could Javi share the process behind their work? How does he create one of his pieces as he explains "Well first you got the thing, you destroy the thing and make it into stuff. Then turn the stuff into a thing again and kiss it goodbye. You throw it off a bridge or in a river, or off a cliff." With the way I had this formatted I thought this was the answer! I'm dead haha until I scrolled down and noticed there was more to it. As Javi actually EXPLAINS "No. Well, I had some old books that I had collected, and like a kid. I would just look at these great pictures. So I destroyed all these beautiful pictures and quickly, just different shapes and the colors presented themselves. From there it's simple, just putting these pieces together in a way that speaks to me. But now it's gone in different ways, I began experimenting with monoprints, different ink, and different paper. Then the same process, destroying all these beautiful prints and using both together. For me, it just follows the same process, for music, painting, drawing. The exact same formula. Playing with shapes and colors in a way that feels right. Making shapes is a fun process too. I have pieces so small, so tiny, little pieces of paper, they are special and waiting to fall into their place. I will sit chatting with Gavi, or hear music, discussions, podcasts, just burning, ripping, and cutting different shapes of paper. It's all play. Lately, I've been playing with negative space and it gives me ideas for sculpture it's great. They all bring on new ideas. But sculpture. Just another thing id love to get lost with." As Javi mentions " I have pieces so small, so tiny, little pieces of paper, they are special and waiting to fall into their place." It's funny because I have video and drafts I keep a hold of until the time feels right. It's surprisingly been helpful for promotions as well! I just also like the idea of these tiny TINY pieces of paper all in one place as Javi picks it for his puzzle piece. Reading all this and writing makes me want to do a puzzle now or something and it's all Javi's creative fault. In the end Javi destroys something beautiful to create something beautiful. You know what? Fuck it. I'm going to try to make a collage. Why does collage making have to "end" in elementary school? Gotta whip out the magazines with the goons along with the zig zag scissors.
When it comes to Javi working on his art, how do he know that it's "done?" What makes it feel just "right?"
"It's just that a feeling. It's the same for any form of expression, you can potentially go forever and never let any project be done, but that wouldn't be healthy. For me, it's about trying not to think. I only want to feel it out, and play. Some people work with concepts, some would say it's lacking without substance, and that's fine too. That's just not my take of the world, I don't care for rules when it comes to creativity, rules have no place in the imagination. If it feels right, that's all that matters. I suppose that makes it easy to step back and say 'done'." It's interesting to read that because that's something Alejandra @44waterlilies has mentioned as well when it comes to "rules" in creativity. Especially when in school. Like how can you GRADE artwork? How can you give someone a C or an F? How can there be a grading rubric/x and y axis on how poetry should be? As Javi mentions "rules have no place in the imagination." So yeah if it feels right to you as mentioned "take a step back and say 'done'."
What can Javi tell us about the minimal amount of colors used in your work?
"Well, I think that's just where I was in life, that it came out that way. Black and white felt right. Before that, all my pieces were only in color. But lately, I've been bringing color back." I see that is interesting to see. I do see hmmm themes as well that change? From the color featuring landscapes to these grey colors featuring gears that you can just hear the creak and grind of them. There's just something about collages that gets a goon like me acting up.
We continue by asking about the artistic choices behind his work as he continues by saying "the choices, it doesn't feel like I'm in control. My imagination is at play. Perhaps one day I will be thinking differently. I can imagine being more in control and deliberate with my artistic choices. But for now, at least, I'm following a feeling. Wherever it takes me, that's where I want to go. No particular direction, as long as I'm moving. I'm good." Kinda like that fish movie (please don't bully me if I get it wrong) uh finding nemo? I think? Where they say "keep swimming and swimming" but hey it sounds like Javi is enjoying the moment that's what's important.
Has Javi collaborated on any pieces with Gavi?? If so, which ones are they and how did that go about? or if not, are there any plans for that?
Also it just hit me awhile ago but JAVI AND GAVI! The letter difference! AHHH
ANYWAYS as Javi was saying "we have a few pieces together yes. But they are just for us. I'm sure later there will be more. We both just enjoy our different mediums, they will overlap more I'm sure. Honestly, it's my problem of obsessing with one thing at a time. I want to get better, I wish I could just switch, and kinda juggle all these different interests. It would be great. It's just so hard for me. I don't know, my mind just zeros in on one thing, and that's it. It's a curse and a blessing. That's why, maybe one day I will have control. But she and I have film ideas, some tracks we've recorded, and definitely plans for more physical art. All we have is time, and that's all we need." There is certainly time and seeing you guys both vend at my event made me very happy! It's cool to see your styles and especially how you both work together as well, but let's be real who carries who in Elden Ring?
What kind of artwork was Javi working on before August 2021 being what he has been currently sharing/posting?
"Before. I was consumed with recording music. All my time was devoted to recording these albums. It was an exercise, but I took it pretty serious. Painting and photography have always been a thing in my life, but in the years prior to 2021, I was compelled to record music. But it shifts. Just whatever is calling me the most, that's where I'm going. I remember long ago I would sit with these old VHS tapes and get this weird feedback stuff going on. That's super fun to do. I had a time when I was making digital collages, that was fun." Music with old VHS tapes? MUSIC!? DIGITAL COLLAGES too! My man that's pretty cool! I always see the set up with all the video gear on Instagram and the piano too haha. It all just looks like fun! Especially with Javi's experience since then and implementing it with his growth who knows what could come next.
How long does one of his pieces usually take??
"Some just happen, maybe 15 minutes, others a few hours but some can just sit for days. If it feels off, I just move on to the next. If it feels good I keep working, the second I find myself thinking, or trying, I move on to another. That's the thing, I like to work with somewhere between five to ten pieces at a time. I mostly finish a bunch at once. Perhaps one series at a time, but I don't know that series fits. It's just how I work. In these clusters, they might seem to have the same theme, but it's because they are all made in the same time span, whatever that may be. But there is an urgency, to keep moving. Keep changing what's going on in front of me." I've been sitting on video for awhile, but as mentioned I usually wait for the right time or well I've put it off for a long time that it's become discouraging, but hey I'm paying for adobe premiere sooooo yeah I gotta put in the work on that! It all certainly takes time from the moment to the 15min to the hours to the days. It feels odd leaving something undone. Time sure is something.
Javi continues by sharing his thoughts on the local valley scene,
It's hard to say anything, I just like being at home. I will say that I support and respect everyone following their heart and is honest and true with their expression. These are my people. Although I've only done it three times now being a vendor I've met cool people and other artists and it's great. I'd love to be a vendor at more places, it helps me get out of my comfort zone. It's great. These are the people I want to be around.
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