r. mateo diago: every then . . . and now
Where: Ro2 Art DOWNTOWN
110 N. Akard, Dallas, Texas 75201
When: December 17 – January 28, 2011-12
OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday, December 17, 7-10pm
Contact: Jordan Roth, 214-803-9575 – [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Ro2 Art is excited to present r. mateo diago's newest exhibition, every then . . . and now. The exhibition will run from December 17, 2011 through January 28, 2010, with an opening reception taking place Saturday, December 17, 2011 from 7 to 10pm. The exhibition will take place at Ro2 Art's Downtown space, located at 110 N. Akard Street, between Main and Elm, on the ground floor of the historic Kirby Building.
With every then . . . and now, r. mateo diago will present an exhibition including photography, painting, written word – often from journals, letters and notes – and found objects, which the artist uses to create individual pieces and installations that present moments of influence from his life. First times, lost loves, family and self-identity, dreams, depression, sexuality and sexual compulsion are among diago's cast of characters.
About r. mateo diago:
r. mateo diago is a Dallas based artist (15 years now) with roots in Northern New Jersey, New York City, Southern Florida, and Puerto Rico. Once primarily a painter, he also works with assemblage, photography, typography and journaling. His background as a graphic artist, identification as a love addict, and his spiritual nature are often apparent in his work.
For twenty years r. mateo diago went through the paces working his way from graphic designer to art director to creative director, using that time to sharpen his skills in color theory composition, balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis; principles that apply to both print design and art. About twelve years ago art reentered his life – emerging as an almost primal need during a meditation retreat. Since then, he’s been creating personal and commissioned pieces.
Artist Statement
How far back would you go? How much would you examine? To identify that constant buzz?
– r. mateo diago, 2011
The common expression “every now and then” references the occasional occurrence. Here, the simple switching of words to every then . . . and now, is intended to reflect more regular patterns or events and their lasting effects.
At the close of r. mateo diago’s 2011 exhibit, junk drawer, something became clear to the artist: surrendering history is a choice, a conscious decision; however, the lasting imprint remains ingrained, ready to reemerge without notice.
It is 'here' that every then . . . and now picks up. For the artist, slipping back into old behaviors required examination as to why his new programming was not sticking, why previous conditioning prevailed. In that sense every then and now is not only used to reference habitual occurrences, it sets the stage for comparison of past and present.
In addition to more traditional media, for every then . . . and now, the artist uses [modern] technology as a vehicle to bring the show to life. Clearly, the “smart phone,” in particular the iPhone, has changed our lives. With a click we can capture moments previously lost; images, converstations, contacts... Here, r. mateo diago uses the iPhone for original photography as well as a tool for recapturing old images to further process and degrade the past.
But inescapable is the access such technology provides. The artist remarks, “Simply put, there has never been a worse time to be a romance or love addict. Suddenly acting on a compulsion is as easy as ordering a pizza, which can make behavior modification challenging at best.”
In the exhibit, seemingly short-lived moments of reflection and clarity clash with experiences that challenge one’s sanity, strengths, growth, and vulnerability.
About Ro2 Art:
Mother-and-son partners Susan Roth Romans and Jordan Roth operate Ro2 Art, a full-service gallery and consultancy with spaces in the Uptown and Downtown areas of Dallas, working with a diverse group of contemporary artists, most with ties to the North Texas Region. At present, Ro2 focuses on the exhibition and sale of work in all visual media, through a fine art gallery space in the West Village of Uptown Dallas, and a progressive, intimate gallery in the historic Kirby Building in Downtown Dallas.
All works will be on view December 17, 2011 through January 28, 2012. Please join us for the opening reception Saturday, December 17 from 7 to 10pm at Ro2 Art Downtown, located at 110 N. Akard Street, between Main and Elm. For more information, visit www.Ro2art.com or call Jordan Roth at (214) 803-9575.
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110 N. Akard, Dallas, Texas 75201
When: December 17 – January 28, 2011-12
OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday, December 17, 7-10pm
Contact: Jordan Roth, 214-803-9575 – [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Ro2 Art is excited to present r. mateo diago's newest exhibition, every then . . . and now. The exhibition will run from December 17, 2011 through January 28, 2010, with an opening reception taking place Saturday, December 17, 2011 from 7 to 10pm. The exhibition will take place at Ro2 Art's Downtown space, located at 110 N. Akard Street, between Main and Elm, on the ground floor of the historic Kirby Building.
With every then . . . and now, r. mateo diago will present an exhibition including photography, painting, written word – often from journals, letters and notes – and found objects, which the artist uses to create individual pieces and installations that present moments of influence from his life. First times, lost loves, family and self-identity, dreams, depression, sexuality and sexual compulsion are among diago's cast of characters.
About r. mateo diago:
r. mateo diago is a Dallas based artist (15 years now) with roots in Northern New Jersey, New York City, Southern Florida, and Puerto Rico. Once primarily a painter, he also works with assemblage, photography, typography and journaling. His background as a graphic artist, identification as a love addict, and his spiritual nature are often apparent in his work.
For twenty years r. mateo diago went through the paces working his way from graphic designer to art director to creative director, using that time to sharpen his skills in color theory composition, balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis; principles that apply to both print design and art. About twelve years ago art reentered his life – emerging as an almost primal need during a meditation retreat. Since then, he’s been creating personal and commissioned pieces.
Artist Statement
How far back would you go? How much would you examine? To identify that constant buzz?
– r. mateo diago, 2011
The common expression “every now and then” references the occasional occurrence. Here, the simple switching of words to every then . . . and now, is intended to reflect more regular patterns or events and their lasting effects.
At the close of r. mateo diago’s 2011 exhibit, junk drawer, something became clear to the artist: surrendering history is a choice, a conscious decision; however, the lasting imprint remains ingrained, ready to reemerge without notice.
It is 'here' that every then . . . and now picks up. For the artist, slipping back into old behaviors required examination as to why his new programming was not sticking, why previous conditioning prevailed. In that sense every then and now is not only used to reference habitual occurrences, it sets the stage for comparison of past and present.
In addition to more traditional media, for every then . . . and now, the artist uses [modern] technology as a vehicle to bring the show to life. Clearly, the “smart phone,” in particular the iPhone, has changed our lives. With a click we can capture moments previously lost; images, converstations, contacts... Here, r. mateo diago uses the iPhone for original photography as well as a tool for recapturing old images to further process and degrade the past.
But inescapable is the access such technology provides. The artist remarks, “Simply put, there has never been a worse time to be a romance or love addict. Suddenly acting on a compulsion is as easy as ordering a pizza, which can make behavior modification challenging at best.”
In the exhibit, seemingly short-lived moments of reflection and clarity clash with experiences that challenge one’s sanity, strengths, growth, and vulnerability.
About Ro2 Art:
Mother-and-son partners Susan Roth Romans and Jordan Roth operate Ro2 Art, a full-service gallery and consultancy with spaces in the Uptown and Downtown areas of Dallas, working with a diverse group of contemporary artists, most with ties to the North Texas Region. At present, Ro2 focuses on the exhibition and sale of work in all visual media, through a fine art gallery space in the West Village of Uptown Dallas, and a progressive, intimate gallery in the historic Kirby Building in Downtown Dallas.
All works will be on view December 17, 2011 through January 28, 2012. Please join us for the opening reception Saturday, December 17 from 7 to 10pm at Ro2 Art Downtown, located at 110 N. Akard Street, between Main and Elm. For more information, visit www.Ro2art.com or call Jordan Roth at (214) 803-9575.
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