Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Milena Arango. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Milena thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
My most meaningful project so far is Vestigium Tectona Grandis. VTG is my umbilical cord to my mother, my connection with the Universe, my relationship with Earth and life, my guts, my glories. V, represents the vestige, the imprint of the plant, vagina, veins, vientre, venus. T stands for Tectona Grandis, the scientific name of the Teak Tree. T is transformation, time, transfer. G of Grandis, Tectona Grandis, Gratitude, Gracias, García (my maternal surname). VTG is my actual and most important project so far, I made her in 2016 in Damasco, Antioquia, Colombia, my native country. In 2014, I participated in an Art Residency in India where I learned a technique that impacted me. At the time I was living in Colombia and when I got back, I tested a large number of plants and discovered that the Teak leaf would give me the tone that I was searching for. I travelled to La Pintada, Antioquia, Colombia in 2016 to a Teak crop to create my project. On a fabric (Dacron) 60 meters long x 150 cm I made my work.
I take pictures of VTG in different locations, depending on what I need to say. I paint VTG on canvas, draw it on paper, it’s my main focus, my obsession. VTG is the cord that is many times present in my work. It’s been a challenge to work this project because I usually work by myself, it’s a big piece and sometimes depending on the weather it can get heavy and hard to handle. That’s when you have to breathe and be patient, take your time, give it time. Let it rest. Rest.
Milena, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Me? I can’t think of anythings else but Creating Art. Everywhere I look I transform, with not always good results, but I enjoy the feeling that creating gives me. I enjoy very much digging into my work, I can work for many many hours, times seems to fly. when I’m in my zone.The first memories of my life are creating. My mother would take my sister and I to a park in Pittsburgh, PA in the weekends to paint. They always had big rolls of paper extended so the kids would express themselves. I loved it. I was around 3 years and those images are still fresh in my mind. I grew up and studied Visual Arts in Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, my native country Colombia. And I’ve also taken many acting courses throughout my life which have helped survive many moments. I dreamed of been an actress, I still do. Act on an independent films some day or create them. You never know.
I walked the Red Carpet in LA 2009 for a movie called The Informers, my character’s name was Miss Nebraska. Acting is still one of my biggest dreams. But somehow my choices have taken me to other places. When you create you’re usually by yourself and don’t depend on anybody, Obviously depending on what project you’re working on, sometimes you work with many people, but most of the time you are by yourself. I guess I got used to that. And I enjoy being alone drawing and listening to music or total silence.
I am passionate and extremely committed to my work or anything I set my mind to.
If you are an artist or call yourself one, there has to be discipline and hard work, failure, repeat, repeat and learn again and forget everything you learned. Create your own ways.
I was raised with discipline, it was hard growing up, but I glad it was like that, you can see results.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I’ve been teaching kids for the last 2 years and it’s been a wonderful experience. Giving classes has freshen up my work, my ideas and my creativity. The last month (March) I had the opportunity to work in a beautiful project which I really enjoyed making. I was commissioned by the City of West Palm Beach to work on The Trojan Rocking Horse a project by architect/artist Marco Casagrande from Finland. They are rocking horse mailboxes that are going to be distributed all over the city so the community can write any suggestion they want to make to the city. My part was to dress the horses with my knots, crocheting all over the city, it was a great experience, I had the opportunity to work and teach people all kind of ages.
All I think about 24-7 is Art. I think about my projects all day long. Being an artist is very difficult, it’s not easy, but it’s great. Having a free creative mind, letting loose your imagination and most important keeping your inner child alive.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I have many stories to tell. Life is about falling down and getting back up. I’m sure what keeps me together is my creative mind. I also try to have a good sense of humor and I’ve learned to not be so hard on myself and to believe in my instincts and my passions. It’s important to keep your mind occupied and always try to learn new things. Keeping your mind fresh will give you healthy thinking, I think it’s the best way to keep your feet on the ground while your mind dreams.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.milena-arango.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arangomilena/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meany2018
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milena-arango-5449b89/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/arangomilena
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrgJRPUjL4nSJFlT3e1h3HQ
- Other: Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/milenaria/
Image Credits
1: Photo by: Beatriz Arango @bea_pues The Frank Gallery, Miami, US 2022 2: Photo by: Milena Arango, @arangomilena Dublin, California, US 2020 3: Photo by: Milena Arango, @arangomilena Juno Beach Pier, Florida, US 2019 4: Photo by: Milena Arango, @arangomilena Tocancipa, Colombia, 2022 5: Photo by: Joe Ledesma @joefus47 – Treasure Island, California, 2021 6: Photo by: Self Portrait Milena Arango, @arangomilena – 2022 7: Photo by: Jean Prado @realdocjp Bogotá, Colombia 2018 8: Photo by: Alana Coppedge, Grandview Market, West Palm Beach, Florida 2023