Meet Marcos Acosta | Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marcos Acosta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marcos, what role has risk played in your life or career?
The role of the idea of risk is key in an artist’s career. Basically, I don’t think it’s possible to imagine the creative process involved in art without the spice of risk. However, this idea should be thought through more carefully. What is risk? When do you risk something and for what? Art, in my opinion, is a formidable tool for introspection. It gives us the possibility, through the risk of leaving the comfortable places in which the ego quickly relies, to explore new territories, almost always unthinkable. The risk lies in abandoning the familiar places and entering the unexplored. I usually imagine my work as an artist in the following way: there is a formidable precipice, from which we could observe an incredible landscape. However, on the edge of the abyss there is a small, solid wall. We could get close to the precipice behind the wall, and be safe. We’d know the lansdcape is there, behind, but that’s all. However, we could go around it and stand between that wall and the abyss, to see from that unprotected ledge, what that fabulous landscape is all about. That is the exercise of art, learning to look at the abyss from the most uncomfortable edge, guided by an indomitable curiosity.

I feel that my life and my career as an artist are one and the same. I can’t find a division between the two, because the artist is constantly using the source of inspiration that is his own existence. In that sense, the notion of risk is born naturally in my life, and from there my being an artist is nourished. Throughout my life I have taken countless risks to nurture my artistic practice. But at the end of the day, since art is a tool for introspection, those risks nourish my soul. I can learn a lot from life experience every time I take risks and step out of my comfort zone. Otherwise I would stay comfortably on the safe side of the wall that doesn’t let me explore that fantastic abyss that is life. I’d be sure, though, but I’d miss out on the magic that comes with this unique opportunity to exist on this plane.

I like to think and feel that those risks allow me to look forward, move forward in this quest that is life and, in the process, create something new that allows other people to get excited about the idea of looking beyond what they once believed they were or could be. Risk is just that, opportunity, and without opportunities there is no life as I understand it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I began to walk the path of art from a very young age. At the age of 10 I already knew I wanted to be an artist, especially a painter. Since then, more than thirty years ago, I have never stopped on this path.

I think that this perseverance over the years behind the same goal is what makes me most proud. And when I look back on what I’ve done over the years and all that I’ve accomplished, in terms of works, exhibitions, books, and also as a mentor and teacher to other new artists, I can’t help but feel very grateful for having taken advantage of the wonderful opportunities and amazing people that were presented to me.

In my work, the search has always been guided by the need to try to find answers to universal questions, such as what is time, life, death. Why we are here and now, which is always an unfathomable mystery to me. For about fifteen years I have used the landscape, both natural and man-made, as an excuse to investigate these kinds of questions. However, I have not found answers, which I am happy about, but new questions, each time simpler and deeper. I think that the real answers are the new questions, which become doors waiting to be opened to discover what things that are impossible to put into words are behind this reality in which we believe we are.

The road has not been easy. Many times people see the results and don’t imagine how complex and difficult it has been to get to that point. Without a doubt, the moment I am living professionally is extraordinary for someone who has done his entire career so far from South America, especially from the place where I come from, Cordoba, Argentina. There, opportunities aren’t plentiful, so over time I learned how to create them myself. It was a real survival strategy in an environment in which there is almost no art market that allows artists to make a living from their work and, in addition, for as long as I can remember, reality has always been crossed by economic, social and political crisis. However, where I didn’t find opportunities, I tried to create them, always maintaining a positive and proactive mindset. I think again at this point about what I said at the beginning about risk and its importance in my career.

That notion of looking forward seeking for new risks and challenges has been what has motivated me to come to Colorado and continue my artistic career. It hasn’t been easy, I’ve had to go through a lot of complicated situations, but I’ve always been fortunate to have the support of amazing people who are great companions on the road. I think of Agustina Mistretta, Director of Hexton Gallery and Bob Chase, its owner, without whom this new turn in my career would certainly not have been possible. Their support and the success of our artistic collaboration thanks to so many new people who trust in my ability and work, fills me with pride and happiness.

I’ve really learned a lot along the way, especially about myself. I’ve found myself reaching far beyond what I would have even imagined at first. I think the main learning is to learn to trust and confirm first-hand that reality is what you create. As imagination is the limit, the limit is infinity. I am very grateful to have learned this and I remind myself of it every time my mind plays a trick on me and wants me to believe that something is not possible to achieve.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Denver is really a city that I’m in love with. It is very dynamic, full of amazing activities and wonderful places. It is also very close to natural beauties that take your breath away. And by the way, not only Denver, but in Colorado in general, I’ve noticed that people are extremely kind and friendly. That makes me really feel at home, since Cordoba, where I come from, has that same characteristic in its people.

I would try to take my friend to see the natural wonders near the city, such as Roxborough Park or the Paint Mines, near Calhan. Then I would take him to visit downtown, with its beautiful skyscrapers. They have inspired several of my recent paintings, as well as those natural places I named. On my tour, I would definitely not miss a thorough visit to the Denver Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Also to several of the art galleries in the center, by the way very good and with excellent artists.

To go out for a bite to eat, it would really be tricky because there are so many amazing places! But I have a special affection for a place I visited as soon as we arrived in the city, the Denver Central Market.

If my friend comes with his kids I wouldn’t fail to take him to visit the Downtown Aquarium, which is an amazing experience. I would also go with him to visit Meow Wolf, a place that I haven’t been lucky enough to visit yet, but I can’t wait to go.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without a doubt, one is nobody without the support and love of others. One exists and is built in relation to other people, even those who did not or do not provide us with a positive attitude. I am a person convinced that all those who come into our lives do so for a reason from which we must learn something.

On that learning journey that involves understanding who we are through our relationship with others, there are people who are profoundly important. First of all, my parents. Both have left a very deep mark on me, and their support at the beginning of my career as an artist has been decisive. Fortunately, they were very supportive of me along the way. Then I must acknowledge the unconditional support of my wife, Rocío, with whom I have been sharing the road for 24 years. Without her I wouldn’t have been able to make progress on most of the important things I’ve done. And today, together with my children Julia and Theo, they are the real reason why every morning I wake up and look for new horizons and challenges.

Of course, I would also like to recognize many people who have been and are important in my life. My teachers, mentors and guides, some of whom I have not met personally, as they are artists of the past, who through time and even though they have been from distant times, have taught me a lot, And in addition to these people that I have named, I would like to dedicate my Shoutout to the public that for many years, has supported me in each new initiative of my artistic search and, without whom, there would be no possible dialogue.

Website: www.marcos-acosta.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcosacosta.studio?igsh=MWI5eGs0ODJxdno2Yw==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/m1qBQXHP6Ed13yQa/?mibextid=qi2Omg

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@marcosacosta8199?si=NC7xKU-Ad5iMRMbn

Other: https://hextongallery.com/artists/30-marcos-acosta/biography/