Connection / Cristian Ordoñez
- Publicado en:
- Art
- Photograhy
- Viewpoint
Cristian Ordóñez is a Chilean artist currently working in Toronto within the mediums of photography, graphic design, and printed matter. Ordóñez’s work has been inspired by his cross-cultural upbringing; he was born in Chile and spent time living between Santiago, Christchurch, New Zealand, and Miami, US. His photography explores the parallels between ideas such as memory and belonging; how these concepts tie to his cross-cultural experiences. Territory and architecture; how different spaces can convey character through human absence and traces. Vernacular and mundane; finding a relationship between ordinary moments and how routine can create beauty. These photographic themes are presented through photographing landscape, urban structures, portraiture, and abstractions.
- November 8, 2019
- Visit to Cristian Ordoñez
- Portrait by Nicolás Hormazábal
- Toronto, Canada
What is your favorite daily activity, do you have some specific time of the day?
I feel that every day is a bit different. The only routine is my breakfast, always the same (kiwi, oatmeal, cereal, and coffee). Many days are focused on editing, looking, and thinking about work, others I go out to make photographs or work on graphic design. Family is always present. There are days that I see friends for a chat, skate, and coffee.
How did you start with photography and skateboarding?
can you share with us some artists and skaters that you can recommend to check them?
I discover skateboarding in 1988, that same year I moved to Christchurch, New Zealand, where in my high school there were ramps and a big group of skaters and punks that created a set up within the establishment. Being able to skate on ramps every day, is where my interest in skateboarding culture grew, thanks to that, my interest in art and music took a big presence in my day to day.
About recommending artists, there are way too many references. About photography, I go from classics, contemporary and some newer ones, some names like Lewis Baltz (and the New Topographics movement), Michael Schmidt, Sergio Larrain, Thomas Struth (and the Düsseldorf school), and Italians like Guido Guidi. I didn’t study photography, rather graphic design, so I have been educating myself through my own readings and research.
In relationship to skateboarding, I am fascinated with being able to enjoy the process y the more artistic cultural part of it, represented through people like Natas Kaupas and Mark Gonzalez in general terms.
Do you have a specific methodology or process for your work, photography or life?
Not really, normally I flow with things. Although I try to keep a balance of things. I am a very workaholic person and having my studio at home, I am never disconnected. That allows me to be in constant touch with my family. From the same place, I create personal projects and work for clients. Everything is mixed, I try to flow and there is a lot of intuition in the process.
What is for you, a perfect day?
It doesn’t exist, but ideally, it should have a mix of fresh air, music, photography, family, friends, and skate.
