”In this volume, we delve into the theme of SURREALISM, featuring contributions from 19 international creators along with 11 students from the Brother Barcelona School of Creativity. Discover how each piece by these professionals and students transforms into an experience, immersing the reader in invented worlds, fantastical stories, and surreal thoughts. Additionally, you will find an opinion article by Luis Di Lascio, a professor at Brother BCN.
Victor Velasco RecioAuthor
My Statement
I am a professionally qualified graphic designer with over three decades of experience in the art and design industry. Throughout my career, I have held positions as an art editor for prestigious London publishing houses such as BBC, Haymarket, and the inaugural Big Issue magazine.
I firmly believe in the power of collaboration and the ability to inspire through creativity. I take immense pride in my work and strive to make a positive impact by using my skills to educate, raise awareness, and encourage people to take action. My goal is to change perspectives and drive meaningful change.
During my academic years, I developed a deep passion for art; along with my education in art, art history, and design, I have experimented with mediums: pen and ink, charcoal, pyrography, and photography, which allowed my creativity to thrive in various and surprising ways.
Art is intricately intertwined with my whole being, providing solace and a sense of purpose. I cannot envision myself without this integral part of my identity. I am profoundly grateful for this ability and the privilege it affords me to inspire others to discover their unique voice through artistic expression.
My journey in the digital world began at a young age through the captivating world of classic video games, where the simple beauty of Pong and the adventurous nature of Space Invaders sparked a fire within me, leading to my love of the emergence of techno music and its vibrant culture. While my artistic roots remain firmly planted in traditional design, the rise of technology has revolutionized my creative processes, allowing me to push the boundaries of my imagination.
The fusion of art and technology has become the cornerstone of my creative identity, propelling me to new heights of imagination and innovation. With the collaborative power of AI, I aim to weave a harmonious blend of artistic expression, where the rich heritage of traditional art dances with cutting-edge innovation.
I strive to elicit emotional reactions, convey important messages, and often explore the relationship between humans and non-human animals by blending or hybridizing their physical forms. My creative process starts with an initial prompt, which I refine through numerous AI-generated variations and remixes. I extensively experiment with different settings and parameters, add my textures and images, and continuously iterate until an image emerges that ignites further investigation. I continue remixing and fine-tuning to achieve my desired result and finish with Photoshop.
Throughout my life, I have experienced vivid and memorable dreams that have sparked countless ideas, projects, and campaigns, often leaving others bewildered by their manifestation. With the rise of AI, I and many others are utilizing this tool to document our dreams and inner thoughts – a dynamic journal that, in its very nature, is filled with surrealistic quirks and imperfections. This newfound ability allows us all to create works of beauty, evoke emotions and thoughts, and convey significant messages.
These recorded experiences encapsulate a range of emotions, political insights, and the universal human condition. They are interconnected through shared neural networks and possess the potential to foster personal growth, self-expression, and healing as we challenge societal norms in our pursuit of freedom and equality for all beings.
It begins with a dream and the click of a button. Together, let’s get creative: /imagine
feature image: front cover @pinkwritinglife : double spread Jo Phillips
