Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Jes Reyes - Video - Photography - Digital Media

Jes Reyes

Name: Jes Reyes   
City/State: Saint Paul, MN   
Twitter: @jesreyes


Bio: 
I grew up in Southern California and received a BA in Women’s Studies and Film and Electronic Arts from California State University, Long Beach. I am about to complete a Master’s in Liberal Studies with a minor in Museum Studies from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. When I am not working on video or photography projects or pursuing curatorial work, I am working full-time in social services.




Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?


I am a video artist and photographer, primarily working with digital technology. I usually explore portraits of people, places, and/or objects in my artwork. I am often not very far from the narrative, because I like to engage myself with the subject at hand. It brings me closer to the objective of the project, which often enough is about relating as well as remembering. I hope that it provides some intimacy for the viewer. I just recently completed a moving image and video essay with poet Katie Rensch titled A Mind of WinterThis is a recent review Katie wrote: (http://dislocate.umn.edu/reviews/three-books-by-william-stafford.html I am currently completing my creative thesis project, which is another moving image and video essay titled here, mom. What I do now is different than when I went to film school. I only wrote screenplays then!


How did you decide to become an artist?


I don’t think this is something that I ever decided to do. I have always liked to express myself with whatever medium I am working in. When I was a child I liked to write short stories. I wrote poems, too.




What was the best advice given to you as an artist?


I am paraphrasing, but my academic advisor/professor Jen Caruso once told me that art is not free of the world. I remind myself of this when I am conceptualizing my projects so that my work has meaning rather than making “art for art’s sake.”  



Many artists struggle to find ways to sell their art.  How do you sell your work?  How do you market yourself?

I don’t have anything for sale right now. It is difficult to sell artwork. Any photography I have listed for sale I have tried to make sure it is reasonably priced. As I expand upon my work, I know this is an area I will try to strengthen and learn more about.
Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

Robin Schwartzman: http://robinschwartzman.com/
Allison Bolah: http://allisonbolah.com/
Christopher Jug George: http://christopherjuggeorge.com



If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?


Art is everywhere! We would go on walks and just look around. I would take you to the thrift store, to the park, even to Ax-Man. You would probably go the Walker Cinema with me or to the Trylon, too.  





In addition to www.Local-Artist-Interviews.com, where do you go online for good art resources, whether to find a new artist, or to see what is going on in the art world locally and otherwise?



Do you have any exhibits to promote in the near future?

Yes, I will be showing artwork with Altered Esthetics in June and July of 2014. To commemorate their 10th anniversary they have produced Ae Without Walls - a pop up show touring the Twin Cities. For their next show in June, to be hosted by Mason’s Restaurant and Barre, I will be showing photography in "Kinetic Aesthetic."  Here is more info on the show:

Kinetic Aesthetic: Artists explore commotion through time, space, and motion.


Show Run: Thursday, June 5, 2014 (Venue Hours) to Saturday, June 28, 2014 (Venue Hours)
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 14, 2014 - 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Location: Mason’s Barre & The Cowles Center 528 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Hours: Monday–Thursday: 7 AM – midnightFriday: 7 AM – 2 AM, Saturday–Sunday: 8:30 AM – 2 AM


In July I will be debuting A Winter’s Mind as well as my project here, mom at The Southern Theater. Altered Esthetics has partnered with them to exhibit works which explore b-movies, cult film, and low budget film.




Image List:
1. Self-Portrait, Digital Photography (2007)
2. Still from at feel, Digital Video (2007)
3. Still from here, mom, Digital Video (2014)
4. Still from Yellow House, Digital Video (2013)
5. Still from Elections Have Consequences (PFA), Digital Video (2012)
6. "My Little Pony" from photo set/narrative House of Vintage, Digital Photography (2013)
7. Image of artist