Life & Work with Jose Antonio Torres of Brentwood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose Antonio Torres

Hi Jose Antonio, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, I was always captivated by the worlds of music and visual arts. My parents played guitar and accordion, and I grew up listening to 80s rock. I’ve always had an eclectic taste in music, appreciating everything from Peruvian folk music to new wave and melodic tunes, which I loved recording on tapes.

Though I’m a graphic designer by education, I’ve always felt a pull towards visual arts and wanted to experiment within that realm. Each form of art had its unique allure, and I often dreamed of a way to intertwine these two passions. This dream led to the birth of my personal project, “Pintando la Musica,” which translates to “Painting The Songs” in English.

Ten years ago, I embarked on an exciting journey to explore techniques that could transform sound into visual art. Between 2011 and 2015, I started creating video-art pieces as I learned about artists doing experimental work (visual poetry), and began experimenting with all senses. This quest led me to delve into the fascinating realm of cymatics—a subset of modal vibrational phenomena that visually represents sound frequencies, from a British artist in 2014. For three years, I experimented and tested various methods to capture these vibrations and turn them into a visual language.

I began delving into the works of pioneering artists like Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Nigel Stanford (known for his fire and oil works), and Björk, the Icelandic singer-songwriter and composer. Despite their groundbreaking contributions, no one had specifically explored the process of painting songs through sound waves, frequencies, and vibrations. In 2015, I embarked on my first attempt, “Tejidos Sonoros” (Sound Weaves), where I started developing my own methodology. Unable to afford a cymatics machine, I ingeniously built my own device using a speaker, a vintage sound wave generator, a metal plate, and an oscillator to simulate the Chladni plate in my studio. Although I later lost this device, I documented my initial experiments, which paved the way for future breakthroughs.

While living in Bogota, Colombia in 2017, I purchased a Chladni plate, allowing me to create more professional-looking sound patterns. In 2021, after returning to Lima, Peru, I reengaged with this project and created my first visualizations of music on a computer. By 2022, I had my first artworks printed using this original technique.

In 2023, during an exhibition in Lisboa, Portugal, I received great reviews while showcasing the spectrometer, plate, and overall process, though no sales materialized. Later that year, after countless hours of research and creativity, I further developed my unique technique and style, making the paintings appear hand-painted rather than computer-generated. This breakthrough allowed me to encapsulate the essence of songs by selecting sound frequencies with emotional peaks and transforming them into stunning visual artworks. Each painting is created while immersing myself in the music, capturing the soul of each note and beat.

In early 2024, I exhibited my first painting using the manual technique at an exhibit in Madrid, Spain. With the support of my partner, Giacomo Bertaina, based in Nashville, we launched the online gallery ArtSonify.com, along with an Etsy store featuring more than 250 song-inspired contemporary paintings. Giacomo’s entrepreneurial spirit, e-commerce experience, and local presence in Nashville have been instrumental in bringing ArtSonify to a wider audience, merging my creative genius with the vibrant business landscape of Nashville.

Each piece is a celebration of the intricate dance between sound and sight, offering a new way for people to experience their favorite songs. From a personal dream to an online gallery, ArtSonify has been an incredible journey of innovation and passion. It’s a testament to the limitless possibilities that arise when we dare to merge different art forms and push the boundaries of creativity.

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?
While the journey to creating ArtSonify has been incredibly rewarding, it has certainly not been without its obstacles. In the early stages, a major hurdle was the technical aspect. Translating sound frequencies into visual art required extensive research and experimentation. For years, I immersed myself in studying cymatics, testing various methods, and developing my unique style. Each failure was a learning opportunity, but it also came with its share of frustration and doubt.

One of the biggest challenges was finding the technical and theoretical coherence of the concept of painting songs, both for myself and the audience. Developing a methodology that could be understood and explained coherently was crucial. Based on the learnings from my exhibit in Lisboa, Portugal in 2022, I also decided to add a new aesthetic to my art. Considering that what I was doing was contemporary and avant-garde, I opted for more natural and gentle brushstrokes to excite people not only with the technique but also with the aesthetic value as a piece of art.

Understanding the market interest and behavior of buyers of contemporary abstract paintings is complex, given the variety of musical genres, songs, and variations (color, shape, finishing, etc.). It was crucial to maintain the essence of my artistic work without betraying my art while connecting with our audience, considering that ArtSonify is the most commercial product line of my art.

Convincing people to embrace this innovative concept also requires ongoing market communication and education. The idea is new and unfamiliar to many, making it difficult to gain traction and build a large customer base.

Additionally, managing the business side of ArtSonify presents its own set of challenges. Balancing the artistic process with marketing, operations, and customer engagement demands a steep learning curve. This is where my partner, Giacomo Bertaina, plays a crucial role. His entrepreneurial spirit and expertise in navigating the business landscape are helping ArtSonify.com find its footing and grow.

Despite these challenges, I know that through perseverance and passion, we will overcome these obstacles. Participating in local art fairs, leveraging social media, and collaborating with musicians and contemporary art curators and influencers will allow us to build a loyal customer base and gain local and international recognition. Each challenge we have faced so far has made us stronger and more resilient, and we continue learning to shape ArtSonify into a unique and innovative new brand.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I paint music, create sculptures, and explore other approaches to connect with the visuality of music and its interaction with listeners, space, memory, and materialization. My work seeks a philosophical approach to music, investigating sound art within the context of contemporary art. I delve into frequencies, energies, vibrations, and other materials, exploring the artistic connections of music.

I specialize in visualizing music and researching the philosophical behaviors of music. In the artistic community, I am known for my avant-garde thinking, courage in proposing advanced themes, interest in creating art that has never been done before, and for not fearing the market or criticism. In summary, I am known for creating cutting-edge art.

I am proud of my consistency in my sound art research project. I always strive to grow as an artist and venture into new markets without fear of rejection or questioning of my work. I approach my work with seriousness and professionalism, proud to showcase, discuss, and support my art with the conviction that I am ready to transcend in the history of art.

I take pride in painting music because music is one of the most connecting elements for people. Music is a cultural icon, and it is so widely consumed that I am proud to have found a way to paint it.

What sets me apart from other artists is my refusal to yield to market demands. I do not confine myself; I create what I want without being subject to market responses or preferences. My handling of color is admired, and the care I put into the concept is something many artists do not do. I work diligently on the conceptual framework and what lies behind the artwork.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The Covid-19 Crisis taught me a significant lesson, though not in the way I expected. During the lockdown, I found that the isolation stifled my creativity, making it difficult for ideas to flow. While I wanted to keep working on my art and sound project, the weight of the pandemic drained my motivation, and I struggled to focus. I tried to keep busy with other things, hoping that my creative energy would eventually return, but the prolonged uncertainty kept me in a state of mental block.

Reflecting on this time, I recognize that I missed an opportunity to adapt my project in new, perhaps virtual ways. This experience taught me the importance of resilience and adaptability, to keep moving forward creatively, even when inspiration feels distant. Now, I approach my work with a stronger commitment to finding ways to stay connected to my practice, regardless of external challenges.

Pricing:

• Giclee print on various medium (fine art paper, canvas, metal, wood acrylic) from $41 (8″x8”) to $2,400 (40″x40″)
• Tote bag: $24
• Throw pillow: $30
• Phone case: $31
• Yoga mat: $124

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artsonify.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsonifystudio and https://www.instagram.com/joseantoniotorres.pe
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564301139601
• Other: https://artsonifystore.etsy.com