#magda arques

from Rabarbaro #1, August 2013

In 1987 was born, from the CompuServe, the 87a, later called GIF (Graphics Interchange Format). After 25 years Magda Arques, an artist and teacher at the Escola d’Art i Superior Design d’Alcoy, in the specialty of computer resources, from Alicante, Spain, makes the GIF art, telling little stories and mixing old school with new school; as she says “My motivation is to design a model creator and host as well as creation itself and tool to generate both digital and physical elements.  e interaction between these two worlds are part of my research and personal search. Having as starting point the graph as a model of communication and interaction between men and machines.”

Hi Magda, please introduce yourself.

I am a person who tries to enjoy everything I do. I have 31 years and currently live in a small town in the middle of the mountain. A few kilometers from the beach of the Mediterranean. I have artistic and a technical background. The combination of these two worlds I love and I am passionate about.

How did you get into graphic?

I’ve always drawn and slowly I saw that in this  eld there was always things to discover and go to work, so personally and professionally. Doing covers and posters, and until I found the animation as a personal project.

How is work as art teacher?

What I like is the ability to work with people directly. Communication, continuous research and the ability to bring the picture to the words, think and be aware of how to create the image and reproduces the feeling you just generated. So working in the  eld of education shows all these aspects that make the image be working a job and also a process of communication at all levels.

What are your advices to your students to be/remain creative and inspired?

I do not like giving advice, but it throught way we do things and we implement the projects that we believe have a curious observation in everything around us. Treat the image as we build a language.

Graphic is made of a lot of other art, typography, photography, drawing etc..which your favorite and why?

As I have no favorite medium ... but I must say that usually works in several disciplines and mescle depends on the work I’ve made some Use or other  elds. Although usually work more with drawing and animation. Although now I love the process to construct facilities or projects Spend the digital to physical space. Drawing has always been and worked as  nal and as part of my work process and is one of the  elds that are always present in all projects.

How you start “to communicate” with gif? and why?

I started with the gif as a means of putting small moving things I spend every day moments that repeat graphics or have repetition. As small feelings of “deja-vu” i continuous intermittent.  The visual narrative, the construction of the plane of the shortness of time and repitition in nite narrative, are part of the language and the actions that I represent with my images.  The direction of the moving image with the message will remain united and indivisible relationship. I think these images only make sense as they are GIFs. 

How born an your Gif? 

One idea, a movement instantly, any time that is recognizable and common interests me the sense of community and familiarity, not intend to be personal actions, that only one person to pass but are actions that create sensations and generate readings thus through reptición dela one can come to question situations. 

Where do you get inspiration? 

At any time, from a story, an action, a walk, a talk, .. any time can be a gif, it fascinates me. 

Which are your instrument for work? 

Working with a graphics tablet and software bitmap image creation.

Who are your favorite illustrator? and artist?

Pffff,... its more di cult but I like the work of Jullien Vallée, Joann Sfar, Antonio Ladrillo and the group nousvous,... and more,... And the artist I like the work of Norman McLaren, James Withney, Zimoun, James Turrell, Raquel Meyers... 

If you must choose between pencil & paper or computer, what you choose? 

I can not use one or the other .. Sorry but I can not choose, I use either the two media, the analog is part of my work process and is part of the end times, is always present. Although the  nal support of my work is usually the digital medium, since this medium makes me feel more in touch with community and the world. Mmm,.. 

What you think about digital technology? It destroying the analogic world or creating nostalgia and bring him back? 

I think there are now two worlds inseparable digital and analog technology, new systems have generated interaction interface between the analog and digital two separate  elds that are beginning to appear live all interrelated and forming one. To the extent that interact at all levels, are both tools or elements that are part of a process of creation.  The feelings generated by the image or the product depend on how you build the message and relate the elements and accommodate new processes and generate sensations. Digital technology is an instrument to create and communicate,... and do anything you want to propose,...

What express mostly simplicity and beauty?

The ability to connect with people.  They build the message receiver in order to not be a single point of view but the message ends constructed from the interpretation of the receiver. An important part of my gifs lies in the personal obsession that contains those elements necessary to address a message,... From my point of view using simplicity, is an important consideration when dealing with the creation of the plan and action.  The elements are based on generating forms through the stroke. One way to build the plasticity and gesture in digital format, not to exceed and get to build a picture perfect and  nished.

You have some future projects?

I am currently developing a project to build a personal relationship between the digital world of my gifs and physical ... is underway and identifying technical and conceptual factors but will ... and let you know. A series of collaborations,... With a fanzine created by John Trouble, which will soon be released in digital format, a project that encourages collaboration and participation online plastic around a theme. And the graphics and prototyping, ... the creation of physical prototypes and mountainsbears, ending birth. While I combine with talks or workshops, “Libre Graphics Meeting” at the Medialab Prado in Madrid, April 10 to 13 April, 2013. Where will develop a workshop on gif “ e loop of sense, ...”

Where people can  nd you and your works?

In my personal space you can  nd my channels of my work, magdaarques.com and personal work for graphics and prototyping mountainsbears.tumblr.com, and my personal artists gifs larural.tumblr.com

Do you want to say something that I don’t ask you?

Mmmm, now ..... no,  first thank you and lots of encouragement. See you.