Laura Prieto-Velasco: Portfolio

website!

2010-12-02T14:29:00.000-08:00

If you stumbled upon this site looking for my work, please check out my new home.

"Peel"

2009-01-22T21:24:00.001-08:00

"Respire"

2009-01-22T20:06:00.000-08:00

"Respire" is an interactive piece. Once the viewer walks by or peers into the air vent located on the false wall, a motion sensor is activated and triggers the air sack movement behind the piece. Faint sounds of breathing can be heard from within the fabricated vent as well...

"Nap" detail

2009-01-22T20:00:00.000-08:00

This is a detail shot of an installation I did for the exhibition "Host." The piece is composed in layers - a collaged video projection including clips from biological horror films and youtube videos was projected onto "sleeping" models (Krystina Grammatica, Jordan Gehman, and Eve Childs). Then that film was projected onto a twin sized bed frame with hand sewn mesh panels. The piece was exhibited with a larger body of work in May 2008 at San Diego State University.

"Nap"

2009-01-22T19:59:00.001-08:00

"Pluck"

2009-01-22T19:57:00.001-08:00

2008-06-19T17:42:00.000-07:00

Host - MFA Thesis Exhibition

2008-06-19T17:35:00.000-07:00

recent work

2008-05-16T17:06:00.000-07:00

I just completed my MFA Thesis Exhibition, in May 2008 -Title: "host". Posting pictures here soon + also working on a website: www.lauraprietovelasco.com. Please check back in a few weeks for updated info! Thanks! Laura

The Bug Catcher

2008-01-16T04:45:00.000-08:00

Can be worn as either a ring or a pendant. Piece opens to reveal interior space, to house an insect (most likely a fly). More of this type of work to come! dimensions: 3" x 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" materials: silver, netting, steel

The Gold Ring

2008-01-16T04:43:00.000-08:00

dimensions: 1 1/2" x 1" x 1" materials: steel, netting, gold wire

"Breathe..." (Revivalator)

2008-01-16T04:39:00.000-08:00

approx. 8" x 6" x 10" materials - copper, netting, steel, glass lens, rubber, silver, latex, insect

Moth Lanterns

2008-01-16T04:36:00.000-08:00

approx. 16" x 12" x 16" materials - glass, silver, nickel, ebony, LED lights, steel, netting

Viscosity

2008-01-16T04:28:00.000-08:00

Turn the crank to see what happens... dimensions: 4" x 4" x 8" materials: mixed media - copper (formed, electroplated, enameled), honey, found/selected objects

Ship of Fools

2007-06-07T00:30:00.000-07:00

Ship of Fools 2007 Poplar, glass, silver, nickel silver, brass, gold leaf, music box, rubber The lost and insane were often hoarded onto ships and sent off to sea - not having any idea where they would land. In contemporary culture, we have a similar approach to dealing with members of our society that we view as illogical or insane. An "outsider" mentality divides us in a way that places people worlds apart - intellectually as well as physically. When the viewer turns the key on the bottom of the piece, the music box is wound. This activates a spindle that is nesled inside the glass chamber; agitating the gold leaf. Viewing the motion through the eye piece creates a surreal experience in that the peep hole view makes the scene appear to be ever so far away.

"Do You Know?" Device #2

2007-06-07T00:09:00.000-07:00

"Do You Know?" Device #2 2007 Glass, cast bronze, silver, nickel silver, brass, rubber, electrical parts, water, wire, mahogany plaque Have you ever given into curiosity to the point of ignoring your better judgement? In learning about our immediate environment, we test our limitations constantly, and ignore what is provided to us by way of "good advice." When the viewer submits to their curiosity, true interaction is able to take place. Inserting their finger into the cast bronze finger produces a reaction that is expected yet surprising. - not to worry - this art will not harm anyone (although it may seem like it does...)

"Do You Know?" Device #1

2007-06-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

"Do You Know?" Device #1 2006 Glass, sterling silver (cast and fabricated), rubber, mahogany base, stinging insect In an attempt to illustrate curiosity, contradiction, fear, and historical accounts of viewing a bee under a microscope, I created this piece. Upon pulling out the rubber "finger" stoppers, a stinging insect is inserted into the chamber. With exposed finger tips, the viewer is challenged by their motivaiton to see the insect while taking a risk to hold the piece in a posture similar to that of holding a finger trap.

Aristotle's Gravity

2007-06-06T23:56:00.000-07:00

Aristotle's Gravity 2007 Mixed Media, including steel springs, magnets, and lead Theories are believed at one point in time, then disproven, and sometimes found to be true once again years later. This amazes me in a baffling yet true way - I'm still trying to figure out the implications of it all.

Kept As a Reference

2007-06-06T23:39:00.000-07:00

Kept As a Reference 2006 White Oak, glass, white plexi-glass, white L.E.D. lights (exterior box) Nickel silver, electroformed copper, silver, acrylic, steel screws (slide inserts) This White Oak box (approx. 22" x 6" x 6") is my version of table-top "curiosity cabinet." Cross sections of electroformed parts (created as a process series) are seen from the top view; from the side, the forms can be seen in their entirety. (after being deconstructed and reconstructed in various ways.) Included are details of the inserts.

The Paradox of Sight

2007-06-06T23:26:00.000-07:00

The Paradox of Sight 2006 Poplar, nickel silver, medical slides, red L.E.D. light Although we may think we know what we see, visual information can often be misleading; even to the point of not "seeing" what we "see." The practice of seeking more information through analytical introspeciton can situate the viewer in a position where vital information is lost. This wall-mounted table illustrates a phenomenon that I refer to as a "visual paradox." The viewer selects a slide and places it on the slide mount at the end of the table. In an attempt to view the image more closely, she presses the button to illuminate the slide. However, in doing so, the image becomes less clear because the red light obscures the details of the red image.

Broca's Bullseye

2007-06-06T23:15:00.000-07:00

Broca's Bullseye 2006 Formed and fabricated sterling silver, darts * installation view with table and chair Paul Broca, a French anthropologist from the mid to late 19th century, assisted with the discovery of a part of the brain that controlls language. (Now known as "Broca's area") However, the method used to locate this point has a gruesome tale behind it: a suicide victim with exposed frontal lobes was the first patient to have his "Broca's area" physically located by the french anthropologist and a colleague - the motions of a spatula on the brain produced results that led the scientists to "discover" the unique effects of this area.

Tele - Rings

2007-06-06T22:30:00.000-07:00

Tele-Rings 2006 Fabricated and oxidized sterling silver, poplar, steel cable * This piece is a comment on personal communication" (AKA I like to talk with my hands...)

Feminine Beard

2007-06-06T22:28:00.000-07:00

Feminine Beard 2006 Pierced and etched sterling silver, CZ stones

Capital Punishment Cuffs, 2005

2007-06-06T22:26:00.001-07:00

Capital Punishment Cuffs, 2005 Pierced and fabricated sterling silver, white pearls, rare earth magnets, fine silver wire

Pecking Order (Mask)

2007-06-06T22:12:00.000-07:00

Pecking Order (Mask) Formed, etched and fabricated sterling silver and steel cable 2005