Mario Valdés, born in Madrid (Spain) in 1965, is an internationally recognized
artist and M.D. His artistic journey has taken him to exhibitions across Spain,
Portugal, Italy, The Netherlands, and Japan, with his works adorning numerous
private collections.
He is focused on studying the relationship between the human being and their
environment through a series of sculptures constructed with glass, photographic
images, and vegetal supports. Their work with space, form, and color generates
a dialogue between the transparent and the material, creating intimate
environments that invite reflection on the nature of reality.
My work is a continuous meditation on the intrinsic relationship between
human beings and the natural environment, exploring how this
interaction profoundly influences our perception of reality and our
mental well-being. As both an artist and a doctor, my artistic practice
is situated at the confluence of health, art, and sustainability,
serving as a bridge that connects the human soul with the soul of the
world. Through sculptures, installations, and multimedia projects, I
delve into themes of fragility, resilience, and the renewal inherent in
natural and human cycles.
My projects, such as The Lords of the Limit, The Dream of the Trees, The Secret Forest, and Fragility and Beauty,
manifest a deep commitment to sustainability and social critique,
addressing the climate emergency, deforestation, and our collective
responsibility towards the planet. By employing materials such as glass,
burnt wood, and photographs integrated into organic structures, my
works capture the ephemeral beauty of nature and evidence the scars we
have inflicted on the natural landscape. The use of glass, in
particular, symbolizes the fragility of our existence and that of the
environment that surrounds us, inviting viewers to reflect on the
delicate harmony we must strive to maintain with our planet and our
inner selves.
In
my artistic quest, I strive to merge the frontier between advanced
technology and the natural environment by employing artificial
intelligence (AI) as an essential tool in the creation of my works. This
synthesis between AI and organic elements arises from a deep
contemplation of our interconnected existence with the surroundings.
Through the AI-generated images of lush forests, printed on glass and
complemented with materials derived from nature (charred tree trunks
from forest fires), my sculptures stand as a penetrating commentary on
this interconnection.
The
choice of these resources—intangible AI algorithms made visibly
material on glass, juxtaposed with the tangible reality of plant-based
supports—resonates with the dichotomy between the digital and natural
worlds. This work challenges the viewer’s perceptions of art and
technology and invites deeper reflection on the delicate balance that
sustains our planet and our place within it. Thus, it stands as a
testament to the potential of contemporary art to navigate and narrate
the complexities of our time.
The
use of AI in my creative process becomes a philosophical statement. It
represents the convergence of our technological advancement with the
imperative need to reconnect and preserve our natural environment.
Through AI, I explore new ways of visualization and expression, creating
images that, though generated by algorithms, evoke a deep emotional and
cognitive resonance with themes of sustainability, vulnerability, and
the intrinsic beauty of the world.
Ultimately,
my work aspires to be a catalyst for dialogue and reflection on our
relationship with the natural world and our role within it. Through the
artistic exploration of the intersection between technology, mental
health, and environmental health, I seek to contribute to a greater
awareness of the urgency to live sustainably and with empathy towards
all forms of life.
