Mapping out the life’s work of artist, Octavio Medellin
Working closely with Dallas Museum of Art, we created an interactive microsite to explore the first-ever museum retrospective of the influential Mexican-American artist, Octavio Medellín.
The year-long exhibition, ‘Octavio Medellin: Spirit and Form’, explores Medellin’s sculptural practice, public art commissions, and legacy to the city of Dallas. The retrospective features a variety of works dotted across multiple sites in and around the city that inspired them.
I believe that sincere art must be elemental and close to the earth – a symbol of the people. The trend of my art is toward the common people and everyday life, the kind of people and environment I myself come from. It is entirely away from politics and sophisticated ideas.Octavio Medellin
Medellín Around the Metroplex
Renowned for his eclectic artworks and explorative approach, Octavio Medellin worked across mediums, often crafting in wood, stone and clay; as well as experimenting with metal, glass, printmaking, pottery, mosaic, and stained glass.
To celebrate his life’s work we created a playful interactive map of the exhibition, which allows visitors to explore and discover the key locations, landmarks and public artworks associated with Medellin’s career.
Bringing Medellin’s Dallas to life
To help bring Medellin’s Dallas to life, we invited illustrator Nicolas Burrows to create a suite of 50+ illustrations of artworks, buildings, animals and furniture.
Working closely with Nic, we developed an abstract and figurative style of imperfect collage illustration that will appeal to all. Playing with exaggerated mark-making techniques, the illustrations reflect the craftsmanship and philosophies that underpin Medellin’s work. The overall feel echoes his spirited, childlike love for craft.
A vision of inclusivity
Championing Medellin’s ethos, the website is designed to land with a broad demographic: an inclusive space for people from all walks of life to learn and be inspired. So often shrouded in elitism, art exhibitions can easily feel unapproachable to those on the outside. We wanted to combat this by making the site joyous for all to use; a tactile digital experience that connects with the sculptural qualities of Medellin’s work through playful interpretive illustrations.
The navigation around the site helps to break his work up in a digestible way for all to enjoy. Whilst the playful user interactions and bold colour palette connect this artist of huge cultural significance with a new, younger audience; keeping his work relevant to this day.
Fiasco were amazing to collaborate with, and were truly innovative in their approach to our interactive map creation. They came up with amazing creative solutions, as well as providing real time brainstorming and troubleshooting along the way. We’re thrilled with the result— and the interactive museum engagement with both our members and the public!Lizz DeLera, Creative Director at Dallas Museum of Art
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