Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricardo Acevedo.
Hi Ricardo, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Ricardo Acevedo • Writer/Poet, Photo/film Based Visual Artist, Avant Musician
Ricardo Acevedo is a multidisciplinary, mestizo, artist, writer, photographer, and director whose career spans over four decades. Originally from San Bernardino, California, Acevedo was immersed in the 1980s Inland Empire and LA New Wave and Art Punk scenes, performing with his bands Freaks Amor and The Blue Box, and participating in poetry readings all across Southern California.
In the late ’80s, Acevedo moved to San Francisco to study performance art, 3D design, and video art at the San Francisco Art Institute. He became an active figure in the city’s experimental literary and art communities, performing with poets like Kathy Acker, Julia Vinograd, Bruce Issacson and the Café BaBar poets.
He later returned to Southern California, landing in Redlands, where he owned and ran the creative hotspot “The Fluer di Lis”. Published his first poetry chapbook “Any”, and collaborated with experimental musical artists like Keith McGrew of Second Culture on the avant-prog album “It… the Other One”.
After moving to Flagstaff, AZ, in 1993, Acevedo co-founded The Difference Machine art space working extensively with James Tyrell protégé Craig Bauhoffer, experimental filmmaker Larry Halloway and Ballet Aztlan choreographer David Ramos. Acevedo became known for his multimedia works, including 6, 16, 29 and Masculism. While in Arizona he wrote for and performed at venues like The Coconino Center for the Arts, The Planet Earth Theatre and Metrophobobia.
In the late ’90s, Acevedo relocated to Austin, TX, where he gained recognition for his, experimental photography and visual direction. He directed music videos and live visuals for local bands, and started a solo electronic music project, Lost Cat Magnet, gaining a large underground following. His art was featured in numerous group and solo exhibitions, and his graphic art and writing had a monthly outlet with Harold McMillan’s DiverseArts. The Austin American Statesman praising him as “the best of Austin’s sensually charged artists.”
Acevedo’s writing, poetry, and art have been published in several collections. His work Sonambulo was the basis for a dance concert by choreographer Ellen Bartel and composer Graham Reynolds. In which he also created all the video elements and lighting design. Acevedo’s other books include Interloper (2011) and Night (2013), and recent works like MALO – Things You Can’t Ruin (2023) and EYE STREET (2024) he explores themes of identity, sexuality, and urban life, both published by the UKs Incunabula Media. His innovative blend of mediums continues to captivate audiences, with critics highlighting his ability to capture the complexities of modern existence. Most recently he was one of only two US artists invited to participate in an international surrealist exhibition “The Minotaur Ballet” in Swansea, Wales. Where he showed his mixed media work and headlined a night of performance poetry, reading from both MALO and EYE STREET.
“Some people see life more vividly than others do, and what’s exceedingly rare, always and forever. People who can transfer the stunning whole of their experience into an expression that can be shared by others. What’s never usual is someone who can capture the relentless kinetic miracle of existence in all its aspects and bring those things to eyes formerly innocent of the glory and glamor, the triumphs and trash, that shine everywhere in this complex life. Ricardo is one such artist, writer and photographer.”
~ Wayne Alan Brenner / Lead arts writer for the Austin Chronicle
(Complied by Stephanie Chastain)
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Art has always been my safe place. The place I could go to for solace or to vent. I grew up in a violent, alcoholic home, and have suffered from CPTSD, anxiety and bipolar depression most of my life. But art, has always buoyed me. Whether by viewing or reading other peoples work, or in creating work the plumed the depths of my journey and times. It has become my port in every storm.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a child I always excelled in the arts. Winning most major scholastic competitions in my tweens. My path seemed clear. But due to personal demons, I frequently lost my way. My visual artist youth morphed into music and lit. But always remained as my core creative energy. Subsequently I took up photography for its immediacy, and via my early adoption of Photoshop (1992) found ways to push the compositional bounds of 2D art. Eventually graphic art and design came to the forefront as my profession. What sets me apart for others is my ability to see creativity, and all its variables and methods in any project.. As I’m fond of saying “Box? What box?”
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Be a good listener. Cultivate this skill. Surround yourself with others who do the same. Those who truly listen always have something deep and or meaningful to say.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inthera.tumblr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acevedoricardo2016/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RAARTLIT
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-acevedo-757a868/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@resistorartschannel
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lostcatmagnet
- Other: https://lostcatmagnet.bandcamp.com
