El Agave is an immersive interactive environment that incorporates the use of video mapping projection and sensors that allow audiences to elicit a response from the Agave sculpture. As participants walk through the space their proximity, speed, and height will inform the programming language to create correlating visuals and audio.

TÓ ÉÍ ÍÍNÁ ÁT’É water is life- it connects us; cleanses us; fosters growth, and nurtures the world around us. This concept of connectedness is translated through our use of specific New Mexico water sites including the Rio Grande, Carlito Springs, Cochiti Lake, and monsoon season rain. The visuals are also site specific abstractions from Pueblo and Diné land, respectively.

In the southwest, the agave is one of the few plants that not only survives, but thrives in harsh environments. As women of color we are constantly faced with racist and sexist environments that often leave us to adapt and create our own domain. El Agave is a response to that environment and invites audiences to participate and interact in that space.

Furthermore, by using floral elements El Agave is a reference to femininity, growth, and survival. It is an opportunity to curate our experience and embrace the connection between culture, land, and the art of interaction. We invite participants to a playground-like space that encourages playfulness, thoughtfulness, and exchange of ideas surrounding aforementioned concepts. Our goal is to create a safe space where people are encouraged to interact with feminism, land, and connection.

STEMarts@PASEO workshop leaders at Taos Day School, Taos Middle School and Penasco Middle School.

About the artists: Britney A. King and Jennifer Nev-Diaz are a female art duo based out of Albuquerque, NM working to make immersive interactive installations that bridge the gap between art, feminism, and experimental technology. Through the use of interdisciplinary and experimental artworks such as projection mapping, VJ/DJ, and video projection art the duo invites audiences to interact and inform their artwork.

Britney A. King is a New Mexico based digital artist that uses a variety of video, projection, projection-mapping, and glitch art techniques to create her work. She is influenced by the re-mix culture movement that she interprets as re-mixing her culture, emotions, and experiences that manifest themselves through abstract projection mixes. Using experimental and technological approaches such as audioreactive video and interactive video mapping sculptures she produces immersive experiences. Her latest work focuses on interactive 3D objects that uses a combination of live video mixing and pre-programmed interactive gestures. She is entering into an MFA in Experimental Art & Technology at the University of New Mexico in Fall 2019.

Jennifer Nev-Diaz is a new media artist based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico creating immersive, interactive environments. She was born in Los Angeles and lived in South Central well into her teens before spending a few years in rural New Mexico. Nev-Diaz went on to receive her Bachelor’s of Fine Art in Art Studio at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her work uses projection mapping, found videos, video art, photography and sound to focus on themes of self awareness, nature, curated experiences, and the art of interaction.