Editor’s Note: The <Art / Code> event will bring together 15 digital artists to show off their cutting-edge work at the Aria Stone Gallery on July 27. The event is curated by David Rodriguez (aka Dr. Gorilla) and hosted by Digital Dallas. This profile of electronic artist Darcy Neal is one in our series of artist profiles.
Electronic artist Darcy Neal of LadyBrain Studios and software engineer Alex Meswarb of Ideacombine have joined forces to construct an interactive Twitter #hashtag map that will display the “geographic location of the use of predefined hashtags onto an LED matrix.”
Over time, my work has become more complex alongside the shift of technology, which has allowed me to convey my ideas in more accurate and meaningful ways,” Darcy Neal said.
“I use technology to breathe warmth into my works by cross-pollinating the senses to emphasize gestures and convey a deeper meaning,” Neal said. “It is my language that I use to articulate my ideas to the audience.”
She said it’s all about emotion.
“I like to use technology to emphasize emotional instances and to unhand and entertain people’s sensory experiences,” she said.
NEAL FELL IN LOVE WITH CIRCUIT BENDING
Neal was a painter and ceramicist in her early college days. She discovered electronics through circuit bending, a technique she “instantly fell in love with.”
Eight years later, Neal is dedicated to building lighting installations, and to educating others about interactive technology.
In the past two years, she said her art has “taken off” with the creation of LadyBrain Studios.
“My goal with LadyBrain Studios is to help bring people’s artistic visions to life, create immersive installations, and to host workshops to educate others about the exciting world of technology and sensors,” Neal said.
Darcy Neal operates LadyBrain Studios. [Submitted photo]
“I have been working with LEDs and music more than ever, most notably with an ongoing collaboration with the Flaming Lips to build custom LED-infused brain sculptures,” she said. “Over time, my work has become more complex alongside the shift of technology, which has allowed me to convey my ideas in more accurate and meaningful ways.”
NEAL SAYS PROFESSIONALS SHOULD PURSUE THEIR PASSIONS
She said her work as an artist has allowed her to do more freelance work, “doing what I love.”
Neal advises other professionals to dedicate as much time as possible to pursuing their passions.
“Time is valuable so use it wisely,” Neal said. “Live frugal while you have the full time income, so when you make the leap into being freelance you’ll have the financial cushion available to take those risks.
“Don’t just sit around and talk about ideas that you want to do, go out and do it as much as you can.”
Digital Dallas <Art / Code> Event
On July 27, the worlds of art and code will collide from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Aria Stone Gallery, where Dallas’ top digital artists will show us how they’re taking digital design to new electronic heights. Drinks, food, and music from Digital Dallas’ roster of DJs will be provided. The gallery is 1617 Hi Line Drive, Suite 310, in Dallas. Check it out here.
READ MORE ABOUT THE <ART / CODE > ARTISTS
Dallas Artist Eric Trich Realizes Vision in 3-D Projection Mapping
Eric Trich is a local artist who is taking digital art in Dallas to new heights via 3D projection mapping installations.
Artist Makes 1st Mind-controlled Digital Video Art Installation
Jeremy McKane is an underwater fashion photographer who has traveled around the world to capture the movement and grace of fabric-draped forms under water.
Alex Garcia Topete’s Music is Collision Between Art, Science
Alex Garcia is a Dallas artist who found inspiration in the cosmos for his latest musical work.
Ryan McCutcheon Creates “Ghost” in his Art
Ryan McCutcheon is a sculptor who will be exhibiting a three-dimensional sculpture called “Bitter Sweet” that he created with unique two-dimensional shapes.
Don Relyea’s Art Intersects Tech, Biology
Don Relyea will showcase “Sharon Tate,” a series of generative portraits he built using a custom particle painting engine created with code.
Barton Damer: His Art Resonates Pop Culture
His work is influenced by skateboarding, basketball, and hip-hop culture, and he says his “inspiration” can be seen in his work with clients such as Nike, Dew Tour, and Vans shoes.
For a daily dose of what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth innovation, subscribe to our Dallas Innovates e-newsletter.
R E A D N E X T
-
Sedrick and Letitia Huckaby have unveiled Kinfolk House, a collaborative project space that embodies the intersection of artistry and culture in the Polytechnic Neighborhood, a predominantly Black and Latino area in Fort Worth.
-
Movement The Hill opens in October with bouldering walls, yoga, weights, and fitness classes at Walnut Hill and I-75. Wanna climb higher? A second Movement gym opens in the Design District next spring—with 50-foot-high walls. (Gulp.)
-
The Arlington Assembly plant has 5,677 employees and has produced more than 12 million vehicles since it opened in 1954. The new investment follows a $1.4 billion, 1.6 million-square-foot expansion at the plant that began in 2015.
-
Step into the past at Sweet Tooth's newest exhibit at Watters Creek, Rewind: A New Immersive Art Experience. Expect everything from a vintage video store full of VHS tapes to the newly created Rainbow Cave.
-
With NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, recently becoming a hot topic, Artist Uprising and Landmark Center have partnered to bring the digital art to life in North Texas' first NFT pop-up gallery.
