Mind Alterations - bright collages by artist Eugenia Loli
Paula Andriguetto, April 2017.
California based artist and filmmaker Eugenia Loli is an Instagram/Tumblr sensation and one of the most famous names when it comes to collages. She’s had her work featured in some of the most celebrated publications, including GQ, Vogue, L'Officiel and Der Spigel.
Collage is a form of art that became very popular on the blogosphere and youth culture in the last couple of years, especially among Millenials. However, it has its roots on Braque and Picasso's Cubism, which makes it an important landmark for the entire modern art of the 20th century. The technique consists of assemblage of all sorts of materials and forms interweaving on different dimensions. The breakout of this technique, with its endless materials possibilities to create a third dimension on the canvas, gave artists crazy creativity freedom. Contemporary artists, like Eugenia Loli, continue to explore and experiment this art form in a interesting playful way, addressing topics like race, politics and feminism.
Even though Eugenia doesn't want to get too political with her collages, as "people don't really like politics in art, unless it’s really funny", she always express some meaning on her work, something the viewer must travel inside her art to find out. She believes it is important to say something with her work.
Among other interesting facts, Loli has a different way of looking at the art market - she believes that art loses its true value when it becomes too commercial. She doesn't believe that much on art galleries and openings as a way of exposing her work to the public. The artist prefers online platforms like Tumblr, which she believes to be a more effective way to spread her work.
Loli knows the power of Internet and makes full use of it.
California based artist and filmmaker Eugenia Loli is an Instagram/Tumblr sensation and one of the most famous names when it comes to collages. She’s had her work featured in some of the most celebrated publications, including GQ, Vogue, L'Officiel and Der Spigel.
Collage is a form of art that became very popular on the blogosphere and youth culture in the last couple of years, especially among Millenials. However, it has its roots on Braque and Picasso's Cubism, which makes it an important landmark for the entire modern art of the 20th century. The technique consists of assemblage of all sorts of materials and forms interweaving on different dimensions. The breakout of this technique, with its endless materials possibilities to create a third dimension on the canvas, gave artists crazy creativity freedom. Contemporary artists, like Eugenia Loli, continue to explore and experiment this art form in a interesting playful way, addressing topics like race, politics and feminism.
Even though Eugenia doesn't want to get too political with her collages, as "people don't really like politics in art, unless it’s really funny", she always express some meaning on her work, something the viewer must travel inside her art to find out. She believes it is important to say something with her work.
Among other interesting facts, Loli has a different way of looking at the art market - she believes that art loses its true value when it becomes too commercial. She doesn't believe that much on art galleries and openings as a way of exposing her work to the public. The artist prefers online platforms like Tumblr, which she believes to be a more effective way to spread her work.
Loli knows the power of Internet and makes full use of it.
Snow White - Eugenia Loli Official
Is there any element of your work which you find people commonly misinterpreted?
Yes, there have been many artworks of mine that people project theirself on them, so their interpretations are different than mine. But that's ok, because art is supposed to be for everyone, so having people with different ideas about what the artwork is about, is actually great.
You have a different philosophy when it comes to art commercialization. Could you tell us why is important to you to also give your art for free?
So people who like it, are able to get hold of it at any time. Right now, the vast majority of my work is under the CC-BY-NC license, which doesn't allow commercial usage of my work (just personal), but eventually in some short years, it will all be completely free for any reason. Personally, I wish that copyright itself was under the original law, which had an extend of only 25 years,
Yes, there have been many artworks of mine that people project theirself on them, so their interpretations are different than mine. But that's ok, because art is supposed to be for everyone, so having people with different ideas about what the artwork is about, is actually great.
You have a different philosophy when it comes to art commercialization. Could you tell us why is important to you to also give your art for free?
So people who like it, are able to get hold of it at any time. Right now, the vast majority of my work is under the CC-BY-NC license, which doesn't allow commercial usage of my work (just personal), but eventually in some short years, it will all be completely free for any reason. Personally, I wish that copyright itself was under the original law, which had an extend of only 25 years,
Obligatory Frida - Eugenia Loli Official
What is your current relationship with technology?
It does the job... I'm not in love with tech the way I was in the past, but I believe that humanity will probably be a tech-based civilization for the thousands of years ahead. I don't think there's a way to escape it now, even if there's a small branch of humans today who ask to go back to nature and become raw vegan.
It does the job... I'm not in love with tech the way I was in the past, but I believe that humanity will probably be a tech-based civilization for the thousands of years ahead. I don't think there's a way to escape it now, even if there's a small branch of humans today who ask to go back to nature and become raw vegan.
2012 - Eugenia Loli Official
What role does politics have in your work?
It used to play a much larger role than it does now. However, these older collages never got popular. People don't really like politics in art, unless they're really funny. So I stopped making them. Now, I just make pop-art (easy, funny little artworks that don't really hold any significance other than the internet crowd likes them), and psychedelic-like artworks, which are my own favourites.
Why you think people don't like politics in art?
Because most young people (who are my viewers) they don't really care about politics. That's the truth. It's mostly older people who care about it, which is why they vote the most.
Toasted - Eugenia Loli Official
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Floral Bed - Eugenia Loli Official
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Rocky Start - Eugenia Loli Official
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Watermelon Watermarks - Eugenia Loli Official
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IAMI - Eugenia Loli Official
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Worm Hole - Eugenia Loli Official
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Would you say your work is more popular between Millennials?
It's popular between 17-35 year old females in particular. 67% of my followers are women.
Do you still think "Three Minutes to Nirvana" is your most personal work?
It's my best. I don't know if it's my most personal, it probably is since such as the things I'm thinking the most every waking moment, but it's definitely my best.
It's popular between 17-35 year old females in particular. 67% of my followers are women.
Do you still think "Three Minutes to Nirvana" is your most personal work?
It's my best. I don't know if it's my most personal, it probably is since such as the things I'm thinking the most every waking moment, but it's definitely my best.
Three Minutes to Nirvana - Eugenia Loli Official
"The structure represents all that we can comprehend while in our human form. It's also what keeps us within boundaries, limiting our existence, experience and understanding.
The bottom level is about developing, learning, and trying out various routes. In the process, and among progress, there's also war and misery (as evident by the fire in the background). The cube in the field is the teaser of the ultimate prize, placed in by the people on the top level (the "Ascended").
The second level is about expanding our horizons further, making the leap towards an enlightened state . Notice the woman in black, ready to make the leap. The man in the staircase, calls her, trying to keep her back, but it's too late. She has superseded him. She is intrigued by the possibilities. The man also signifies the various forces that will try to keep humanity back on its journey. Notice that the observable universe is also within the boundaries of the structure.
Two humans are attempting to reach the third level. One is climbing the old fashioned way, and the other one is using (transhuman) technology to get there -- both choices are acceptable. At the end of their journey, they won't be "humans" anymore anyway.
Notice the trophy award in the middle of the third level, right below the angels painting. These two people think that this is the ultimate prize. But that's just a trap. The third level is the most difficult level towards reaching ascendance, because humans will have to leave behind all their vices, delusions, and personal limitations. Most never manage to do that. Their only enemy in this level is themselves. Notice the human skull, hidden by the flying spaghetti monster-like flower.
At the very top, the Ascended people are waiting for more people to make it to the top. In the whole artwork, they are the only element depicted outside of the structure, able to see the bigger picture. They're beyond time and space. Notice the planet above their heads, alluding that there may be more levels. Knowledge and wisdom have no limits. There's always something more to explore, know and live."
The bottom level is about developing, learning, and trying out various routes. In the process, and among progress, there's also war and misery (as evident by the fire in the background). The cube in the field is the teaser of the ultimate prize, placed in by the people on the top level (the "Ascended").
The second level is about expanding our horizons further, making the leap towards an enlightened state . Notice the woman in black, ready to make the leap. The man in the staircase, calls her, trying to keep her back, but it's too late. She has superseded him. She is intrigued by the possibilities. The man also signifies the various forces that will try to keep humanity back on its journey. Notice that the observable universe is also within the boundaries of the structure.
Two humans are attempting to reach the third level. One is climbing the old fashioned way, and the other one is using (transhuman) technology to get there -- both choices are acceptable. At the end of their journey, they won't be "humans" anymore anyway.
Notice the trophy award in the middle of the third level, right below the angels painting. These two people think that this is the ultimate prize. But that's just a trap. The third level is the most difficult level towards reaching ascendance, because humans will have to leave behind all their vices, delusions, and personal limitations. Most never manage to do that. Their only enemy in this level is themselves. Notice the human skull, hidden by the flying spaghetti monster-like flower.
At the very top, the Ascended people are waiting for more people to make it to the top. In the whole artwork, they are the only element depicted outside of the structure, able to see the bigger picture. They're beyond time and space. Notice the planet above their heads, alluding that there may be more levels. Knowledge and wisdom have no limits. There's always something more to explore, know and live."
What is freedom to you?
To not be afraid to say something, or do something that might put you under some "list".
To not be afraid to say something, or do something that might put you under some "list".
Roll with it - Eugenia Loli Official
To find more about Eugenia, check her website or follow her on Instagram. You can also buy her original prints here.
Follow freiheit on Instagram.