A panorama photographer finds his voice in surrealism – San Diego Union-Tribune

Chris Blanco is a binational artist within the truest sense of the phrase. Born in Baja California, Mexico, the 38-year-old practices as an artist on each side of the border.

From Jan. 10 by 25, Blanco’s work will probably be featured in an exhibit at Art Scene West, a gallery in Seaport Village in downtown San Diego.

Although Blanco began out as a panorama photographer, his work as of late has ventured right into a specialised sort of photographic artwork, utilizing his photographic work to current surreal imagery.

“I specialize in conceptual photography, meticulously crafting visual narratives that evoke deep and meaningful emotions,” says Blanco, who lives in Tijuana. “My ardour lies in exploring the complexities of human emotion, capturing the intangible essence of emotions by symbolic gestures and evocative imagery.

“Through my work, I aim to transform emotions into tangible visual forms, inviting viewers to connect with the unspoken and the unseen. I am a passionate photographer, deeply in love with light and color, always seeking to express artistic beauty beyond merely capturing a moment.”

He took a while to speak about his work, a few of which will probably be on show and obtainable for buy at Art Scene West.

Q: Your work is rooted in images, however it ventures into extra surrealist expressions of artwork. Tell us about your begin as a photographer.

A: My journey as a photographer started with landscapes. I used to be deeply drawn to mild, colour and geometry, and I spent years exploring distant locations in quest of moments the place nature felt virtually painterly. Later, this curiosity expanded into astrophotography, the place I discovered persistence and precision whereas capturing the vastness of the night time sky.

Through these experiences, images turned greater than documentation for me — it turned a technique to perceive scale, silence and emotion. Over time, my focus shifted inward, towards one thing much more complicated than the cosmos: human emotion. That transition marked the start of my path into conceptual images.

Q: At what level did you begin to enterprise into extra conceptual surrealist approaches to your work?

A: It occurred once I realized that what really moved me was not what I used to be photographing, however what I used to be feeling whereas creating the picture. Even whereas working with huge landscapes and the night time sky, my consideration slowly shifted inward.

I started to grasp images as a language — one that would categorical feelings I couldn’t simply put into phrases. Conceptual and surrealist parts turned a pure extension of that want. Through symbolism and thoroughly constructed scenes, I discovered a technique to give form to inside experiences, recollections and emotional states. That second marked a turning level, the place the picture turned much less about actuality and extra about which means.

Q: This is a singular — and extra difficult — creative strategy. What is the most important problem of your work as an artist?

A: The greatest problem is translating one thing invisible and deeply private into a transparent visible language, whereas working in unpredictable environments. Many of my pictures are created open air, which suggests getting ready scenes and finishing up photoshoots in locations like the center of the desert or standing inside a lake.

Conceptual work requires full intention — from the concept to the ultimate element — usually below bodily demanding circumstances. Balancing emotional precision with environmental challenges is troublesome, however it’s also important to the authenticity of the work.

Q: What is essentially the most rewarding?

A: The most rewarding half is the second when an emotion turns into tangible. When an inside feeling lastly finds its type in a picture, there’s a sense of readability and launch.

It can be deeply significant when viewers join with the work in their very own manner — when a picture displays one thing private again to them. Knowing {that a} non-public emotional course of can resonate with another person is among the most fulfilling elements of my observe.

 Q: At the tip of the day, what do you hope your paintings conveys to the viewer?

I hope my work creates house for reflection and emotional connection. I would like viewers to really feel reasonably than analyze — to acknowledge one thing acquainted, even when they will’t instantly title it.

Ultimately, my objective is to offer type to the unstated and the unseen, and to remind viewers that vulnerability, emotion and internal complexity should not weaknesses however shared human experiences.

Chris Blanco

When: Jan. 10 by 25. Artist’s reception: Jan. 17 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Where: Art Scene West, 803 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego

Admission: Free

Phone: 619-724-0167

Online: artscenewest.com