In this Q&A, we venture into the ethereal realm of LIVIDO, an Art Figure who defies conventional categorization, transcending the boundaries of "artist" and "designer." For LIVIDO, the act of creation is a sensory odyssey - a tactile meditation where raw emotion cascades from fingertips to material, ultimately manifesting as wearable sculptures that blur the line between art and fashion. LIVIDO's creations are meant to be catalysts for self-discovery. Each piece invites its wearer into a profound dialogue with their innermost desires and even long-forgotten dreams. Through their work, LIVIDO beckons us into a liminal space where the act of creation and the experience of wearing become inextricably intertwined into a mesmerizing tango of identity, emotion, and introspection. True to their enigmatic nature, LIVIDO's reflections on the future of craftsmanship and the evolving role of fantasy in wearable art are as fluid and expansive as their creations. We live in a world with increasing modernization, and LIVIDO challenges our perceptions, urging us to reconsider the very essence of creation, adornment, and artistic experience. Their approach serves as a compelling counterpoint to our digital age, reminding us of the irreplaceable value of human touch and emotional resonance in art.
Can you talk about the importance of touch and manual work in your designs, and how this hands-on approach affects the relationship between the artist, the piece, and the wearer?
The act of moving my hands is the simplest way for me to access my inner self. It serves as a form of meditation, an essential practice that allows me to capture the silhouettes of vague matters like the doubts and emotions I hold at any given moment. My works emerge through a fluid dialogue between me and them, which means they are always evolving, often manifesting in forms that are unpredictable, even to me. This series of deliberate and spontaneous manual creative processes takes on a certain sacredness; it allows me to reach into realms of existence that many have forgotten or overlooked.
Someone once remarked, "LIVIDO's works evoke the memories of the universe before birth that people have forgotten." From the very beginning of my journey with LIVIDO, I imagined that they would be a catalyst, a trigger for individuals to rediscover their true selves and awaken from a state of forgetfulness, in relation to the people involved with it. If you are attuned to this invisible chemical reaction that undeniably exists, you will find that it stimulates dormant memories of desires and emotions and invites deeper self-exploration.
Do you think the act of handcrafting wearable art creates a more intimate connection between the piece and the person who wears it?
LIVIDO is born from a burning ocean of ever-shifting emotions and desires that surge within me. I am merely a vessel. To wear or touch LIVIDO is to connect with its living energy, immersing oneself in a realm that goes beyond mere comfort. And it awakens the spirit of adventure and exploration. In essence, LIVIDO is a catalyst for transformation, spurring a rediscovery of identity, an awakening of forgotten dreams, and a rekindling of desires. Each encounter becomes an invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the essence of what it means to be alive. Ultimately, it is a celebration ofthe beautifully chaotic nature of human experience, where every shadow of doubt can turn into light, illuminating the path back to oneself. I hold a deep belief in the profound relationship that develops between the work and the individual, a bond that transcends the physical to tap into the soulful.
How do you see the role of craftsmanship evolving in the future of wearable art, especially as fashion becomes increasingly digitized and mechanized?
What humans have that computers don't is desire and emotion. These elements often lie under the dormant and scattered in the dark shadows of oblivion, obscured from our daily awareness. But, there are moments when the reignites pull out these feelings, drawing them back into your consciousness.
Yet, computers, by their very nature, are cold and sterile, lacking the warmth needed to illuminate the dark corners of the human experience as they are supposed to; they are machines at the end of the day.
In other words, I believe that computers cannot evoke the profound rawness that connects us to the essence of life and death. This intrinsic warmth -our ability to feel, to long, to fear- is uniquely human, and it is these experiences that define our existence, casting light into the often-overlooked corners of our psyche.
I believe that all creations born from human hands, whether they be pure, impure, or even malevolent, retain the quality of warmth and carry a certain essence of life and death.
And as we move further into a digital age, the intrinsic value of human emotion and connection will continue to set us apart, preserving the humidity and temperature of our creations.
How do you differentiate between creating for art and creating for fashion, or do you see them as inherently interconnected?
When I engage with LIVIDO, there is no difference. Labels and categories only serve to reassure people who struggle with ambiguity in this material world, they provide a false sense of understanding. For me, painting, music, fashion, art, all other creations or expressions born from human desire and emotion are all inherent interconnected when they remain as pure.
However, if I were to draw a line in the realm of creation, it would come down to the consciousness of the creator. This is a matter, how to express their emotion and desire without restrictions, without being influenced by external expectation, without losing one's authentic voice. If one loses this, the focus shifts from curiosity to obedience.
In a world so saturated with noise and opinion, the challenge is to maintain and reclaim that purity. Artists must strive to build a space within themselves where their desires and emotions can flourish without constraint. This space is where true innovation happens, where the lines between different art forms blur and unfiltered expression resonates profoundly.
What role does fantasy play in your creative process, and how do you merge that with the practical elements of wearable fashion?
For me, fantasy feels more real and believable than reality. In the realm of imagination, imperfections are embraced as perfections, transforming the mundane into something extraordinary. The blue sky can morph into the sea in an instant, gravity can be bent to our will, and windows can exist without rooms. This endless possibility draws me in, creating a world where creativity knows no bounds. LIVIDO acts as the guardian of this fantastical realm, bridging the gap between my dreams and the reality I navigate daily.
Expressing inspiration through wearable objects was very natural for me, as fashion has been very close to me since I was little. My search for materials and shapes that resonate with my vision of perfection led me to my current creations, which have become the canvas for me today. And my journey in this realm is not merely about creating tangible pieces but rather expressing an internal dialogue between my experiences and the fantasies that fuel them.
Are there any new materials, techniques, or themes you are eager to explore in future collections? How do you see your work evolving in the coming years
Within me, there are always a few vague imaginary “things” floating around with outlines. I'm not sure which of them I will visualize next, or whether I will end up working on something I've never imagined. This uncertainty lingers until I complete the current project at hand. Every experience gives us new desires and plants unfamiliar emotions deep within our hearts. As I experience the endless influences that shape my daily life, I hold a hopeful aspiration that what I will feel and witness in the future transcends the limits of my current imagination. However, I recognize that the future remains intertwined with the present, so I must cherish and nurture my inner universe, the sanctuary capable of receiving the signals that send me the desire for what I have to see next.
I believe that by fostering this openness to the unknown will bring about evolution none of us could have ever imagined, which will lead to my next projects.
Your work blurs the lines between fashion and art, challenging traditional boundaries in both fields. How do you see the relationship between fashion and artistic expression evolving in the future, and what role do you hope your work will play in shaping that evolution?
As I have mentioned in other questions, I'm not consciously challenging the boundaries between fashion and art. I have no intention of being attached to either field; instead, I simply stay true to my desires without any restrictions.
And my thought on their evolution and relationship is that if people could understand the existence of things that cannot be labeled and recognize the ambiguity of boundaries, all creations, whether fashion or art, might evolve to be seen as entities of greater depth.
I have no specific expectations or desire about what role my art will play, but I would be thrilled if it could serve as a trigger to awaken someone from a long slumber. There’s a purity in the eyes of those awakened that I find truly beautiful.
Images by Roger Gallegos.
