Abstract

As a multidisciplinary artist, I draw attention to our disconnect from the natural world. My work seeks to restore that connection through movement and sound. In this thesis, I discuss how I use movement and sound to create affective experiences that sensitize viewers to the world around them. The camera is my primary artistic tool. I take on the role of director, cinematographer, editor, choreographer, performer, and soundtrack composer to create my video art. Through my work, I transform the ordinary spaces we inhabit into theatrical settings for storytelling, intertwining the familiar with the uncanny.

Nature is one of my primary sources of inspiration. The concept of “nature” has been widely debated over the years by philosophers and scientists alike. Still, humans continue to feed the delusion that they reign over the natural world. I align my understanding of nature with ecologists and biologists such as Rachel Carson. The idea that humans can control nature is dangerous. The idea that humans can exist separate from nature is equally dangerous. My work calls attention to our disconnect from the natural environment and gently reminds us, myself included, that we are part of a world that exists beyond walls and screens.

Committee Chair

Monika Weiss

Committee Members

Monika Weiss

Comments

http://alexavelezart.com

Degree

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Visual Art

Author's Department

Graduate School of Art

Author's School

Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts

Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

Spring 5-2021

Language

English (en)

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