Artist Statement
Alvaro Azcarraga is a Mexican artist and researcher that works with plant-like organisms with a focus on the history of scientific colonialism. With a background in Molecular and Cellular Biology, he looks at how the micro relates to the human and beyond. His work also examines the post-natural, specifically looking at the artifice that is embedded within the term natural. He has been working with Maize for the last 5 years. Past projects include things like laser etching maps of Tenochtitlan onto tortillas, collecting maize seeds from all over the globe, to growing maize varieties to engage in a genetic-based conversation.
Education
2022 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
@ Design Media Arts
Master in Fine Arts (MFA)
2018 University of California, Berkeley
B.A. Molecular and Cellular Biology
B.A. Art Practice (Honors)
Teaching Engagements and Lectures
| 2023 | Bioart in the Public Sphere @ Coalesce at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, Buffalo NY. |
| 2022 | Instructor SCIART Summer Sessions, ArtSci UCLA, Los Angeles, CA |
| 2021 | Lecturer SCIART Summer Sessions, ArtSci UCLA, Los Angeles, CA |
| 2021 | Pepperdine Art x Sustainability Lecture Series, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA |
| 2020 | Lecturer SCIART Summer Sessions, ArtSci UCLA, Los Angeles, CA |
| 2019 to 2022 | Teaching Assistant, UCLA Design Media Arts Department, Los Angeles, CA |
| 2018 | Root Division Studio Artist and Teaching Assistant, Los Angeles, CA |
Awards + Residencies
May - July 2024 Genspace Artist in Residence, Brooklyn NY.
June 2023 Soil Factory Residency, Ithaca NY.
2022-23 University of Buffalo Coalesce Artist Residency, Buffalo NY.
2019 Root Division Resident, San Francisco, CA.
2018 Theresa Cha Fellowship Awards at the Berkeley Art Museum, Berkeley, CA.
2018 UC Berkeley Art Practice Honors, studio recipient, Berkeley, CA.
Center and Lab Work
2023
Coalesce Bioart Lab at the University at Buffalo, NY.
2019 - 2022
ArtSci Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
2019 - 2022
Counterforce Lab at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Exhibitions
Solo Work
| Resident Foreigners, Soil Factory Ithaca, NY. |
Summer 2021
Maize should be Capitalized, UCLA Botanical Gardens, Los Angeles, CA
February 2020
MILPA, EDA - Broad Art Center UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Selected Exhibitions
2022
| miniature colossal lands, UCLA ArtSci Gallery, Los Angeles, CA |
| 2021 |
| THE LAST ONLINE SHOW! MFA Thesis Exhibition, online, Los Angeles, CA |
| CULTUREHUB Re-Fest: RE-CIRCULATION, online. |
2020
|
Ars Electronica: In Kepler’s Gardens, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Global Broadcast for a Total Eclipse: 2’10’’, online. |
| Screen Share Fall MFA Preview Exhibition, online, Los Angeles, CA |
2019
|
Counterforce Lab: Biophilia Treehouse, Pandopopolus, Los Angeles, CA
Feast Your Eyes, Root Division, San Francisco, CA |
| New Growth: Shared Stories, Root Divison, San Francisco, CA |
2018
| SEMO x Leymusoom, Wurster Courtyard, Berkeley, CA |
| Put this on your CV, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, Berkeley, CA |
| Possible Titles, Worth Ryder Art Gallery, Berkeley, CA |
2017
| Nopalito, Kroeber Hall, Berkeley, CA |
| Sculpture Exhibition, Kroeber Lawn, Berkeley, CA |