Additions to Found project

Found

Found started in the spring of 2010. During the spring and summer months I like to walk to and from my studio, which is approximately 2 miles from my home. On these walks I started noticing rusty objects on the streets and sidewalks. Some shapes were familiar while others were abstract, but they all had one thing in common; they were rusty.

I started collecting some of the more interesting pieces. After a while I had a box full of rusty items: flattened soda cans, assorted nails and random car parts. I decided this would be my next personal project and I began photographing them.  Originally it was to be a guessing game, when I realized I could not identify some of the pieces myself. So I thought I’d leave it up to you to interpret and imagine the items however you see fit,

The project, however, has morphed in another direction. Some people have asked for photos of specific rusty items, while images of more iconic items have sold as stock. To my surprise, the most requested item is a rusty nail. I started cutting the flat pieces of metal into different iconic shapes like keys, cars and dollar signs, and the interest is growing.  As I continue to find rusty objects, Found is taking on a life of its own, so stay tuned! 

Contemporary Tribal Markings book

Contemporary Tribal Markings by Tony Cordoza | Make Your Own Book

More Tribal Markings Coming soon.

Contemporary tribal markings project is now expanding.
Stay tuned...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 2010

Tony Cordoza

tony@tonycordoza.com

CONTEMPORARY TRIBAL MARKINGS: FIND YOUR INNER WARRIOR AND REPRESENT YOUR TRIBE.

Patrons agree: Tony Cordoza and Gina Rivas-Velazquez have elevated the portrait by breathing new life into the process.  Their models are screaming, “I am a warrior!”

Contemporary Tribal Markings portrait series is a traveling exhibit and on-going collaborative effort between commercial photographer Tony Cordoza and visual artist Gina Rivas-Velazquez.   For many years both Tony and Gina have independently enjoyed success as commercial artists in their respective fields, but recently and even now as the recession looms, they were forced to re-examine the challenges in their approach to creating new work and exposing it to the world.  Their solution:  join forces, shine a spotlight on their skills and invite the public to take notice.

In April of 2010, Tony was preparing to shoot a portrait series when his wife suggested that he collaborate with her friend Gina, an artist who had just added “Face-Tag” body art to the list of services her company offers.  Gina’s artwork is influenced by her rich Creole and Mexican heritage, so after a brief discussion, a tribal theme for the series was undisputed.  She was to design a collection of tribal face art and Tony was to capture it as she brought it to life. 

Gina researched tribal designs from Africa, South America and Australia visualizing what her subjects would look like.  As the models were transformed, it was clear how each person brought something different to the series.  They became warriors, evoking inner grit and charm.  Some snarled and growled at the lens while others simply stared.  For some the experience was comical, for others it was cathartic. Each person became someone uninhibited and free from whom they usually are.

It is this transformation - the process, which elevates these portraits to a new status.  Tribes are based on our relationships, our lifestyles and the roles we play.  Imagine that each tribal design is a representation of how you identify yourself – perhaps as a parent, a student, an artist or a doctor.  Only you know what your markings mean.  Embrace them, make them yours and discover your tribe.

Contemporary Tribal Markings is a traveling exhibit and an on-going collaborative effort. To learn more about the exhibit, or to have your “tribe” represented (you, your family or your business), please e-mail Tony Cordoza at tony@tonycordoza.com. 

Wayne Coyne

Tear sheets from my Sound and Vision magazine cover shoot featuring The Flaming Lips frontman, Wayne Coyne.

Tribal Art Exhibit Leaves Patrons Yelling 'More, More, More'

West Orange Patch coverage of the "contemporary art tribal markings" opening night party.

http://westorange.patch.com/articles/tribal-art-exhibit-leaves-patrons-yelling-more-more-more#video-928812