We were lucky to catch up with Alfredo Mele recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alfredo, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Throughout my career as a designer, producer, and executor, that is to say as an integral artist, I have managed to develop processes, abilities, capacities, and skills that are reflected in my work, always oriented to the enrichment of art, which has allowed me to see beyond what a necessity understands and takes for granted.
My work is focused on the investigation of communication in its most diverse aspects and in the widest possible way, converting it not only in visual language but into a sensory transmission that allows me to create a greater understanding of what surrounds us, how we perceive and interact with our environment; deconstructing and reconstructing the forms to give them a new meaning, encouraging the self-reflection of the human being about their behavior and the way in which language is generated, evolves and surrounds us, to develop projects that contain a story of their own and merge them with the present and the reality of being.
In this process, I use multiple constructive elements in my work, which leads to the use of various traditional artistic techniques such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and non-traditional techniques such as digital construction, I use different materials that lead me to create shapes and structures that derive two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements unified in a poetic language, to shape in this way the message I want to convey.
I have done many great projects but the most significant and personal so far has been IKARU.
“Ikaru” is an artistic project that I have been working on for many years whose foundation is based on an exhaustive research on human language and communication. This project stands as a constantly evolving and flexible exploration, delving into the dreams and aspirations of humanity, the effects they generate and the realities they construct, transforming them into captivating visual experiences.
“Ikaru” takes its name from the Japanese language, being a genderless word with broad meanings, one of the most relevant being “Brightness”, “Light” and “Enlightened”, suggesting the idea of carrying light and possessing a strong will. The essence of this project lies in a partial and fragmented narrative, centered on the creation of a mechanical character with a humanoid appearance, endowed with an immense capacity for reasoning, capable of analyzing and understanding the complexities of our existence, acting as a teacher who teaches us about our humanity. This character evolves through the experiences acquired and is shaped by the voice of the artist himself, exploring different meanings and forms of expression that form the fundamental pillars of the project.
“Ikaru” is configured in a personalized way for each viewer, venturing into interdisciplinarity. It is a collage of forms that seeks to convey a message and provoke a unique experience in each individual who approaches it. To this end, the project is divided into three stages, which are described below:
“Ikaru Art” represents the development of the conceptual essence of the project in a mature and complex way. At its core, we find a non-human character who teaches us about humanity and the constant changes we perceive as human beings, transforming them into visual language. This set includes a variety of pictorial, sculptural, and mixed-media works that seek to convey emotions to the viewer. The artist immerses himself in different techniques and traditional media such as graphite, charcoal, sanguine, oil, and acrylic, as well as digital techniques that enrich the evolution of the work.
The first exhibition, entitled “High Hopes: The Dream of Ikaru”, shows part of the work done during four years of consolidation of the project.
“Ikaru Paper” encompasses a set of 12 books of short stories of fantasy literature that narrate from the genesis of the character to the adventures of his journey around the world. The first book in the series, entitled “Ikaru: The Awakening,” allows the author to share with readers the purpose for which he was created, a story based on Ikaru’s mission, his contributions, and legacy, as well as the fears and sacrifices of a father for his son. “Ikaru: The Awakening” was launched at the Miami International Book Fair and is currently available at Amazon Books and Barnes and Noble. In addition, to complement the stories, a series of three coloring books (“Ikaru Coloring Books”), planners, and a line of greeting cards (“Greeting Cards”) were created.
“Ikaru Design” represents a phase led by graphic designer Pachi Galavis, where the illustrations created by Alfredo Mele are transformed into a fun and innocent representation of our aspirations, both those we have since childhood and those we keep in adulthood, addressing elements of current affairs, history, popular art, professions, festivities, among others. With an illustrative representation approach, the character is shown in a variety of poses, attire, uniforms, and costumes, in a graphic world called “Ikaru World”, brought to reality through a line of design products that includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, bags, backpacks and limited edition collectibles such as fine art prints and professional skateboards, among others. In this phase of the project, artists from different trends have been invited to collaborate with the Ikaru that best represents their style or with which they feel identified.
“Ikaru” is a project that seeks to bring art to all types of spectators, involving people of all ages in an enriching and unique experience.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
He is an outstanding Venezuelan industrial designer, visual artist, and author, highly specialized in structural design, art production, sculpture, and photography, with a wide experience of more than twenty years of recognized work in numerous fields.
He is the creator and founder of Indsign Industrial & Graphic, a company that has become a market reference for excellence in design, quality, and production.
His work is present in more than 15 countries, his work has been exhibited in important galleries, fairs and is part of renowned collections. He currently resides in the United States of America, a country that has become his third base of operations, carrying out projects of international scope in art and design, in which he stands out for his professionalism, high level of knowledge in the field, and ability to generate solutions.
Alfredo Mele has received multiple awards and honorable mentions for his work, recognitions that confirm his great talent and position him as one of the most relevant integral artists of the moment.
As a visual artist, he is characterized by the research and application of new concepts in the field of language, communication, folklore, and spirituality, integrating them in novel and avant-garde proposals, using multiple techniques that constitute the foundation of the construction of the visual and sculptural element of his pieces, emphasizing the ephemeral of human behavior but eternalizing it in his works, each one of which is presented with great constructive detail and extraordinary complexity, which are structural characteristics in each one of them.
Alfredo Mele’s work has great relevance and appreciation in his field. However, his main hallmark is dedication, coupled with great technical skill and commitment to making a piece that meets the highest quality standards, for that reason numerous artists, museums, galleries, and art spaces have placed their trust in him for the design and development of their concepts; and the production of his works; hence he is known as “The Artist of the Artists”, recognition that is one of his greatest pride.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Supporting artists is crucial for fostering cultural richness and innovation. There are so many ways to society can best support them: Ensure affordable and accessible arts education from a young age. Encourage creativity and provide opportunities for young artists to develop their skills and interests.
Recognize the value of artistic work and ensure fair compensation. This includes fair wages, royalties, and intellectual property protection.
Invest in public funding for the arts, including grants, subsidies, and programs that promote cultural events, exhibitions, and performances.
Promote diversity and inclusivity in the arts by providing platforms for underrepresented voices and communities. Encourage diverse perspectives in creative industries.
Create affordable spaces for artists and creatives to work and showcase their art, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
Encourage private patronage and philanthropy for the arts. Support from individuals and organizations can be a significant source of funding.
Embrace digital platforms and technologies to help artists reach global audiences, especially in times when physical events may be limited.
Recognize and support the preservation of cultural heritage and traditional art forms, which are essential for maintaining a society’s cultural identity.
Promote the integration of arts and creativity across various sectors, from education to healthcare and urban planning. Art can enhance well-being and creativity in many areas of life.
Encourage arts organizations and advocacy groups to raise awareness of the importance of the arts and advocate for policies that support the creative community.
Facilitate mentorship programs and networking opportunities to help emerging artists connect with experienced professionals.
By implementing these measures, society can provide a nurturing environment for artists and creatives, allowing them to thrive, contribute to cultural diversity, and drive innovation. A thriving creative ecosystem benefits everyone by enriching our culture and sparking new ideas.
Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?
The NFT is an interesting way to expose and sell your work. In this day and age where we only have people’s attention for only 5 minutes, I feel that has happened to NFT´s. An overwhelming wave that it was the future of art, ended up being a very risky investment. The world evolves and although we are immersed in the digital world, the tangible will never cease to be necessary.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alfredomele.com
- Instagram: @alfredomele
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/alfredomele
- Linkedin: alfredo mele
- Twitter: @mele_alfredo