Alejandra Diaz is an art director with a focus on community based projects that encompass music, art, food and culture. Alejandra’s work is heavily influenced by the environment and sustainability, communication and connection and her Latin American upbringing. In this interview, Alejandra discusses her latest project, an LED dance floor installation, that is set to be a highlight at our upcoming event: Junction Footscray.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do
I am an art director and my practice encompasses graphic design, branding, consultation, public art and events.
How did you start your creative practice and why?
As far as I have memory, I remember always drawing and having a pencil in my hand. As a kid it frustrated me that my imagination was bigger than what I could put on paper. Art is and will be my home, my refuge, a place I feel safe.
Where did you grow up and how this has influenced you?
I grew up in Costa Rica in San Jose, the capital. In Latin America we flow, we don’t ask permission to do things, it is very organic and things are simple. I believe I was influenced by the simple and organic life.
Tell us about your past creative projects. What has been your most treasured highlight so far?
I’m not sure how to answer this, every project has some beauty, something to treasure, something to fix all the time. However I remember drawing a creature like spirit on paper and I thought strongly that the story of the legend I just invented should be alive. So I created ‘Babu’ a wearable puppetry art which is also a spirit forest that comes from time to time to teach us about littering and pollution. The thing is, the idea was so strong in me that festivals loved it and I performed in a few. I think ‘Babu’ doesn’t stop with the performance. It is something I need to revise and bring it to a major concept.
Tell us your current project/ art work.
I like ‘Sunday Love’ which is a series of events that encompasses world music, multicultural, food and a business in need to thrive. It all started at Jambo in Footscray at the back of the restaurant in a laneway. We put some chairs and tables – everything was bits and pieces – whatever we could to host the event. The community came in a participatory way, all simple and humble, that works. So I continue with this project concept in different locations.
What future projects are you looking forward to?
I think the Junction project in Footscray, feels right one to one in the public arena, have this emotion of integrating the town, the town also is the inspiration. I am putting an installation of an LED dance floor at the Nicholson Bridge to make strangers dance, perhaps know each other and then let people create their space.
Where do you feel most creative and why?
I feel creative surrounded by people, I like people.
What do you hope audiences take from your work?
Communication, different ideas can coexist, friendship.
Whose work are you digging at the moment?
My friend Victor Holder he is a public artist and he is going to do a massive projection on a ship in Newcastle integrating the audiences there.
Where can we find you and follow you online?
I don’t have a presence online, but you can follow me at Thin Ozone on Facebook.
Junction Footscray is a free community event in the heart of Footscray, Saturday 9th July. The Staying Alive! dance floor installation will be located at the Nicholson Street Rail Bridge, Footscray from 4-10PM. Register your attendance via Eventbrite.