Art is a bridge between the tangible and the intangible, the known and the mysterious. It speaks to us in ways that words alone cannot, evoking emotions and sparking imaginations. Andres Briceno, a multifaceted artist whose journey traverses the realms of visual art, music, and digital creation, embodies this profound connection. From his early days of drawing Yu-Gi-Oh cards to his transformative experiences with photography and NFTs, Andres has continually evolved, embracing new mediums and philosophies with an unquenchable passion.
In this exclusive interview, Andres opens up about his unique bond with art, the muses that have inspired him, and the pivotal challenges that have shaped his creative vision. He delves into the spiritual and intuitive evolution of his style, the reconciliation of opposites, and the profound messages behind his work. Moreover, he shares his thoughts on the role of AI in art, the societal perception of artists, and the magic of Norse runes.
Join us as we embark on a journey through the artistic soul of Andres Briceno, exploring the intricate layers of his creations and the deep-seated values that drive his craft. Whether you're an art enthusiast or a fellow creator, this interview promises to offer a wealth of insights and inspiration.
Eduard - Mismir ( E ): I believe that artists split into two categories: those who experience a transformative moment when art evolves from interest to passion, and those who feel they were born with an innate calling for artistic expression. How did your unique bond with art first manifest, and at what point did you realize that art wasn't just a pursuit, but your true vocation?
Andres ( A ): When I was more or less 10 years old I had an obsession with the yu gi oh cards, at a certain moment it was natural for me to start drawing them. Later I would say that one of the most artistic things I saw was Ronaldinho playing soccer and that was my new obsession for a while. I learned that art could go beyond what is conventionally believed and with time I started to play guitar and write songs with the few technical resources I had, but my creative impulse to sprout melodies in an almost natural way and with the effort I tried to reproduce them with my guitar and voice. I still remember the first time it happened. I had months of practicing and learning to play and one day, I was careless in my thoughts and it was like something began to sing from deep inside, I took the guitar and it felt like magic. I still have some of those songs stored somewhere...
E: Behind every artistic creation lies a muse - be it people, places, experiences, thoughts, or some intangible inspiration. These catalysts form the very foundation of each piece. In your artistic journey, who or what would you identify as your most influential muse, and how has it shaped your creative vision?
A: I think my muse has been changing over time, in principle, the strong feelings towards certain loves I had in adolescence, but when I entered photography at 24 years old or so, the search for beauty was what obsessed me, partly because I needed it. I think I had fallen into the trap of negativity and nihilism, because I feel that being an optimist was almost a taboo at that time, partly because of intellectual snobbery and ignorance too. I had become an intellectual of those who do not create but only analyze, think, and comment with complicated words to demonstrate their superiority. I had to be reborn spiritually and force myself to reconnect with the beauty of life and photography was the tool that helped me the most to do that.
E: Life's journey is often punctuated by challenges, which can be perceived as either roadblocks or stepping stones. Your continued presence and impact in the art world and beyond suggest you've transformed these hurdles into opportunities for growth. Can you share a pivotal challenge that reshaped your artistic perspective or approach, ultimately becoming a blessing in disguise?
A: Yes, in the beginning, what I liked the most was doing portraits, and the only way I could monetize that was with clothing brands, weddings, or personal portraits, but my style didn't fit too much with the commercial, so I kept doing my art by impulse but at a certain point I got tired and it started to lose sense. I think I was burning out. When I did my first NFT sales the inspiration came back, I felt like a kid again and I started to explore and mix again all the arts I had practiced before. I really felt that I didn't have to put limits on myself anymore and I could explore my creativity more deeply without thinking about the need to adjust to a market, the weirder and more experimental the better, it was like a dream come true.
E: I invite you on a brief journey of introspection - one that traces your path from the very first day you breathed life into your imagery to the present moment. As you navigate through the chapters of your artistic adventure, how would you describe the evolution of your style and approach?
A: The playfulness is always present, but I know that my style has gone from something more intellectual and material to something more spiritual and intuitive. My grandmother is a poet and my aunt is a performance artist, both are my main influences, and the rest of my family are mostly intellectuals. I don't know if it is something generational but there was little optimism in their creations and intellectuals always have a reason to complain. I come from that imaginary, I had to embark on a personal journey and rebuild myself, find new symbols, like the sun for example. So yes I think my art has become more optimistic in principle, although lately I am exploring the concept of the shadow and I am probably entering a new stage, as well as internally I am also looking for the reconciliation of opposites.
E: To me, art in all its forms - be it music, visual, or otherwise - serves as a mirror to the soul, reflecting our deepest values and beliefs. With this in mind, how do you feel your essence, the core of who Andres is, manifests itself in your creations?
A: Good question, I remember once I was talking to a friend about a certain artist that I really liked, that I thought she was "Sensual". When I used that word she made a disappointed face as if I was saying something superficial, but the sensual arises from the external and also from the internal, from the form and the substance, I tried to capture those subtleties in my portraits and I think that in my life nowadays that is expressed in that I take very much into account the spiritual as a moral compass, but the material is also sacred, the body, both are a continuum, then I know that meditation, manifestation, visualization and all these kinds of things have to be accompanied by an impetuous action towards the objective and the best way to cultivate the will in this sense is physical exercise, so the reconciliation of opposites I think is what most inspires me to create lately.
E: Your recent video resonated deeply with me, particularly your message that "wanting to dominate others makes you weak." This prompts me to ask: what do you believe drives people to seek dominance over things they don't fully understand? How can we cultivate humility and open-mindedness in society to counteract this tendency?
A: Well, to keep an open mind like a child is the first thing, that does not mean that I have to accept everything and everyone, but to be aware that you can learn something from everyone and that even the one who in your eyes seems to be too deviated from your own values got there by very particular circumstances. I also think that many times we live in survival mode, protecting ourselves too much and that makes us want to dominate socially. I think the best way to cultivate humility is to feel really empowered. You have to feel powerful in some way to be able to relax in front of others and open up. Being vulnerable requires strength and courage, but you live better, calmer, and more transparent. Any sport can give you this feeling of empowerment if you do it constantly, but also art is necessary to not become a brute.
E: A recurring motif in your work is the presence of runes, either explicitly or through subtle references. What draws you so strongly to Norse culture? What significance do runes hold for you personally and artistically?
A: The runes call my attention because they give me the impression that they are the primordial symbols. Today we see them everywhere but their symbolism has been largely lost. For example, berkana is now the symbol of Bluetooth, sowilo is the lightning that has Harry Potter on his forehead, but I know that they also work as spells. What attracts me most about Nordic culture is this philosophy of impetus, bravery, and honor in battle in contrast to runic magic. Again, it is magic and the physical being part of the same thing, warriors used the runes on their weapons and shields to empower themselves in battle. It was, conquer or be conquered. In one world it made perfect sense to be fierce in war and also use the invisible world to empower yourself in the physical world. Today it is something more metaphorical, wars are internal more than anything else, but the principle is the same. I am not a follower of any particular religion or philosophy, I take what serves me to create myself. For me this is the underlying teaching in the philosophy of Nietzsche (who is my head philosopher) and Nordic mythology: Create yourself!
E: Your art has undoubtedly captivated me, becoming one of my favorites. The harmonious blend of styles, themes, and elements speaks profoundly to my soul. As an artist who harnesses AI in your craft, how would you say this technology has influenced your creative process? Furthermore, how can we help ease the fears some artists harbor toward AI in art?
A: Yes of course, for example, the world of dreams is something I like to explore. I have always had lucid dreams and some time ago I discovered a technique to explore them more in-depth. It is as simple as when you know you are in a dream take an object inside the dream with your hands and you will not wake up, you can consciously explore your mind or that other dimension. I think that AI empowers me creatively to be able to represent some of these experiences. Art can have value from the how, that is the technique, from the concept, or both. Everyone knows if then it will be convenient to use AI or advocate the "manually" done as part of the concept itself of his work. I think there is room for both. I like to experiment with both possibilities.
E: Reflecting on the current status of artists in our society, what's your assessment of their position and the recognition (or lack thereof) of their impact on the world? How can we elevate the perception and acknowledgment of artists' contributions to society?
A: I think that creating is a natural human activity that in part is rejected because it does not have an obvious utility in the mercantile sense of any other product or service, that is also a product of our Western society, men and women. We are too polarized towards the masculine side of our being, then an activity such as art, which is more related to contemplation and inner exploration, superficially is rejected, but deep down we all admire and want to learn to play an instrument or cultivate an art. The key for me is to understand the importance of and integrate the feminine in us. This is also the job of the artists themselves, to educate others in this regard, especially by example, because sometimes as artists we polarize too much towards the feminine and we become a kind of stereotype of bohemian hippie, and I think that some people associate being an artist with that. Yet I think that little by little I see how new configurations of what it means to be an artist emerge, a more complete being where the canvas is life itself and the technique is just another channel of expression.
E: Could you offer us a glimpse into the narrative or concept behind the exclusive 1/1 piece that you are creating for the Mystic's Garden Genesis Drop?
A: Yes, this work is called Son of Sun, it represents this union of opposites, the connection with the sublime through the activation of the pineal gland and in turn the integrated chaos and darkness, the feminine and masculine, the inner eye, one of my favorite genres is symbolism which is an evolution of the work of alchemists where in the era of medieval obscurantism they transmitted their knowledge in a symbolic way through art...
E: If you could swap lives with any artists, past or present, for a week, who would it be and why?
A: Wes Montgomery is for me the best jazz guitarist ever. The song "Round Midnight" is the song that has made me feel the most elevated, I would be him for a week just to know what it would feel like to play those sublime notes on the guitar wearing a classy suit with a tie in front of an audience of probably no more than 30 people in a bar full of smoke and whiskey.
As we conclude this in-depth exploration of Andres Briceno’s artistic journey, it’s evident that his work is a harmonious blend of intuition, spirituality, and boundless creativity. His insights offer a window into the mind of an artist who continuously seeks to transcend conventional boundaries and inspire through his multifaceted creations.
To stay connected with Andres and witness the evolution of his art firsthand, be sure to follow him on social media ( ***Lens ***) and check out his Mystic Garden Sanctuary. Dive into his world, where every piece tells a story, and every story invites you to explore the deeper realms of imagination and beauty.
The artistic journey doesn’t end here.
Season 2 of Storied Strokes, a collaboration between Mismir and Mystic Garden continues, bringing you closer to the most intriguing and inspiring artists from around the world. Stay up to date with our upcoming features, discover the next artist in the spotlight, and never miss a release by following us on social media ( Twitter - Lens - Instagram - Farcaster).
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