"As our everyday interactions become more and more driven by the consumption of digital technology, we alienate ourselves in our devices yet ironically, we never seem to be alone, even when in complete solitude."
Statement
Developed by Sissy Reyes while in artistic residence in rural Finland, ‘The Martians are coming!’ is an exploration of time, place and presence in today’s information-rich existence. As our everyday interactions become more and more driven by the consumption of digital technology, we alienate ourselves in our devices yet ironically, we never seem to be alone, even when in complete solitude.
Featured in the online galleries of the UK's ‘FORMAT Festival 2017: Habitat’ and the international ‘Lens Culture Emerging talents Awards 2016’, this cinematic series creates open ended narratives yet to be completed by the viewer, allowing them to share in the mysterious moment. A moment of clarity, melancholic gratitude, deep chested fear, or joy perhaps. We exist here and now… and we know then, maybe just then… 'The Martians are coming!’
This project was assisted by a grant from the Ian Potter Cultural Trust to attend the Arteles Creative Residency in Finland in 2016. The Ian Potter Cultural Trust aims to promote a vibrant, diverse arts sector in Australia and encourage the pursuit of excellence. Through support for talented emerging artists, the Trust's grants reward commitment and passion, and support promising Australian artists to develop their skills and achieve their potential.
This project was assisted by a grant from Arts NSW, an agency of the New South Wales Government and supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian State and Territory Governments. The program is administered by the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA).
Artist Bio
I migrated to Australia from Mexico in 2007. With a background in still photography and trained as a filmmaker, I started my career in Australia as a
director of photography for short films and commercial video. Later incorporating other elements to my practice including production, editing and
directing. I’ve gradually moved on to non-traditional film narratives finding my best form of practice in video art and fine art photography.
I am influenced by cinema, mythology and cultural studies. Aesthetically my work is colourful, pop, cinematic and story driven, aiming to achieve narratives
that abstract the storytelling process through the image. I want to push the traditional boundaries of the mediums I use, thus, creating cinematic scenes out of still images and portraits/tableaus out of videos.
My work is critical, humorous and existential. I am interested in creating alternative narratives to currently predominant discourses of gender, consumerism, identity and mortality. Alongside my practice, I often work in collaboration with music composers, production designers and art directors. I also created the art collective Purple
Statement
Developed by Sissy Reyes while in artistic residence in rural Finland, ‘The Martians are coming!’ is an exploration of time, place and presence in today’s information-rich existence. As our everyday interactions become more and more driven by the consumption of digital technology, we alienate ourselves in our devices yet ironically, we never seem to be alone, even when in complete solitude.
Featured in the online galleries of the UK's ‘FORMAT Festival 2017: Habitat’ and the international ‘Lens Culture Emerging talents Awards 2016’, this cinematic series creates open ended narratives yet to be completed by the viewer, allowing them to share in the mysterious moment. A moment of clarity, melancholic gratitude, deep chested fear, or joy perhaps. We exist here and now… and we know then, maybe just then… 'The Martians are coming!’
This project was assisted by a grant from the Ian Potter Cultural Trust to attend the Arteles Creative Residency in Finland in 2016. The Ian Potter Cultural Trust aims to promote a vibrant, diverse arts sector in Australia and encourage the pursuit of excellence. Through support for talented emerging artists, the Trust's grants reward commitment and passion, and support promising Australian artists to develop their skills and achieve their potential.
This project was assisted by a grant from Arts NSW, an agency of the New South Wales Government and supported by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian State and Territory Governments. The program is administered by the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA).
Artist Bio
I migrated to Australia from Mexico in 2007. With a background in still photography and trained as a filmmaker, I started my career in Australia as a
director of photography for short films and commercial video. Later incorporating other elements to my practice including production, editing and
directing. I’ve gradually moved on to non-traditional film narratives finding my best form of practice in video art and fine art photography.
I am influenced by cinema, mythology and cultural studies. Aesthetically my work is colourful, pop, cinematic and story driven, aiming to achieve narratives
that abstract the storytelling process through the image. I want to push the traditional boundaries of the mediums I use, thus, creating cinematic scenes out of still images and portraits/tableaus out of videos.
My work is critical, humorous and existential. I am interested in creating alternative narratives to currently predominant discourses of gender, consumerism, identity and mortality. Alongside my practice, I often work in collaboration with music composers, production designers and art directors. I also created the art collective Purple
