La Vispera - Portfolio by La Vispera

ARTIST STATEMENT

Kelly Jimenez and Alejandro Franco are Colombian artists whose primary discipline is the use of discarded materials to create highly crafted works of art. Since 2018, they have collaborated to produce a diverse range of pieces across various mediums, including stop-motion animation, photography, and sculptures, and lately, they have been fully focused on the creation of stained glass windows made out of single-use plastics.

Driven by their passion for nature, they consistently integrate environmental themes into their art, aiming to spark conversations about ecological issues. Their stained glass creations, made from repurposed single-use

plastics, pieces are a testament to their dedication to this cause. Through the use of the material's translucency and diverse color palette, they have transformed what is typically a transient and detrimental substance into something of great beauty that is worth preserving.

Their meticulous efforts to revive an undervalued material serve as an allegory for the collective effort needed to sustain a healthy ecosystem. They hope to raise awareness about the fragility of our environment and inspire tangible action for its protection.

Alejandro Franco

Is a multidisciplinary artist who works primarily in the arrangement of found objects assemblages, as well as painting, Alejandro was born on October 3rd of 1982 in Medellin (Colombia), at the age of eighteen he moved to Florida where he started his artistic exploration.

Kelly Jimenez

Experienced Art Director & Visual Artist, born in Bogota, Colombia Moved to Florida at a young age and earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.S.) in Fashion/Apparel Production and Design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. uses everyday objects as tools for inspiration and exploration.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

Their creative journey began in Florida in 2018, where they collaborated on a performance project for the first time. This experience marked the beginning of their artistic exploration and set the foundation for future work.

In 2019, they established themselves in St. Louis, MO, where they gained recognition through collaborations with prominent venues such as Lambert International Airport, Duane Gallery, Washington University, The Sheldon, the 21C Museum Hotel, and Laumeier Sculpture Park. A highlight of their time in St. Louis was participating in the Artist-in-Residence program at Laumeier Sculpture Park in 2021.

Now based in Pittsburgh, their creative practice continues to thrive. They are an active participant in the local art scene through collaborations with organizations such as the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, the Children’s Museum, The Downtown Partnership Placemaking Grant, and the Tomayko Foundation. Their work was recently acquired by CCAC for the new North Campus building.

In 2023, they were awarded Environmental Artist in residency at Bernheim Forest and Arboretum, where their installation Nocturnal now resides indefinitely.

Kelly and Alejandro working on “Seres Transitorios” at the Angad Arts Hotel.

Photo by: Vanessa Rudloff

PLASTISPHERE: A SINKING REALITY

This piece shines a light on the critical issue of plastic pollution in our oceans. By transforming a familiar household fish tank into a larger-than-life experience, they bring the stunning beauty of underwater life into the heart of the city.

Plastisphere • Single-use plastic on paper • 9 panels of 5 x 9 ft • 2024

This installation was made possible by the Downtown Partnership Placemaking Grant and the support of McKnight Property, who provided a fantastic location to showcase the work.

CANOPY NATURE’S HIDDEN TREASURES

This installation was created as part of La Víspera’s Tough Art 2024 residency at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. Drawing from their own childhood wishes, the artists designed an oversized pop-up book to captivate and inspire museum visitors. The piece showcases their signature stained glass, crafted from single-use plastics, and incorporates a variety of textures and interactive elements. The artists’ intention is for the installation to be as engaging to touch and explore as it is visually striking.

Inspired by their Colombian heritage, La Víspera transformed the “book” into a vibrant rainforest setting. By evoking the lush beauty of the Amazon rainforest, the piece celebrates biodiversity as the ultimate indicator of a thriving ecosystem.

Canopy • Single-use plastic on paper mounted on a lightbox • 8 x 5 ft • 2024

WITHERING AWAY

Within these windows, they illustrate the future of our planet as if we were looking at it through the filter of our careless habits, a place where humans went extinct and nature is gracefully reclaiming architectural structures. Our goal is to draw attention to the unmindful use of plastic as packaging material and to foster a sense of consciousness.

Empire Waste • Single-use plastic on paper Framed in a wooden lightbox • 32 x 25 in • 2019

Gas Station • Single-use plastic on paper Framed in a wooden lightbox • 23 x 23 x 4 in • 2023

Ferris Wheel • Single-use plastic on paper • 8 x 4 ft • 2019

NOCTURNAL

Nocturnal • Single-use plastic on paper mounted on reclaimed greenhouse • 12 x 10 x 12 ft • 2023

Wild Donkeys•Single-use plastic on paper•8 x 7 ft•2024

This series of works has been exhibited in serene natural settings such as the Bernheim Forest Arboretum and the Pittsburgh Botanical Garden. Their goal in creating this work is to immerse the audience in the enchanting atmosphere of a forest at dusk, a moment rarely witnessed in a time when animals thrive in their natural state, far from human presence. Through this series, the artist pays tribute to nature by portraying its inhabitants as radiant entities, illustrating their meaning within the intricate tapestry of life on our planet

21C HOTEL

"Midwest Sunset" was commissioned by the 21C Museum Hotel in St. Louis, MO as a site-specific work for their library suite. This stained glass piece seamlessly integrates into the wood paneling of the chimney, creating a captivating illusion. After residing in St. Louis for three years, the artists drew inspiration from the everyday scenes of neighborhood life, particularly captivated by the serene beauty of a Midwest sunset that often graced the backdrop.

Midwest Sunset • Single-use plastic on paper framed in a wooden lightbox • 30 x 30 in • 2022

BREAKDOWN

Mundane Plastic Elements turning into microplastics

• Single-use plastic on roof tarp • 12 x 14 x 8 ft • 2021

Breakdown

Breakdown was a large-format installation exploring the transformation of plastic into microplastics through time and friction. Originally conceived for the highly attended “After Dark” event, drawing an audience of over 12,000, it was created in 2021 during an art residency at Laumeier Sculpture Park. The installation captivated viewers with its poignant commentary on environmental degradation.

Breakdown II reimagines this narrative, repurposing leftover panels from the Laumeier residency into a striking new form. Specially adapted by La Víspera to suit its latest venue, this iteration breathes new life into the original work while preserving its ecological ethos. It now holds a permanent place in the Tomayko Foundation collection.

Photo by: Chris Uhren

Breakdown II • Single-use plastic on roof tarp • 12 panels of 3 x 3 ft • 2024

SERES TRANSITORIOS

“TRANSIENT BEINGS”

“Seres Transitorios” is a monumental poster that is mainly inspired by John Audubon's iconic "Birds of America." La Vispera reflects on his personal experiences, discovering parallels between their life journeys and the migratory patterns of birds. As Colombian immigrants, they spent years in Florida before migrating further to the Midwest and then to Pennsylvania, similar to birds' search for resources across great distances. Through this work of art, the artists magnify these transient experiences, elevating migratory birds and their migratory path to transcendental significance.

Seres Transistorios • Single-use plastic, acrylic paint mounted on cardboard • 12 x 8 ft • 2020

Halcon

Single-use plastic on paper

5 x 2 ft

2020

THROWAWAY WORLD AT G-CADD

"Throwaway World" was an exhibition infused with a deep environmental consciousness, where every instance of single-use plastic usage resonates with a sense of unconsciousness. The deliberate choice to showcase our planet's natural beauty using this synthetic material underscores its disruptive effects on the delicate balance of our environment. Incorporating logos and graphics in the displays subtly highlights the significant influence of large corporations and their role in environmental pollution.

The primary goal of this exhibition is to inspire individuals to make mindful decisions and diminish their dependence on single-use plastic in their everyday routines. Through artistic expression and thought-provoking displays, the project encourages viewers to reflect on their environmental footprint and take meaningful steps toward sustainability.