EXPLORING SHONEE'S MULTISENSORIAL ART INSTALLATIONS: A BLEND OF DIGITAL AND NATURAL WORLDS
In a world where the boundaries between nature and technology blur, Bianca Shonee Arroyo , artistically known as Shonee, stands as a beacon of innovation and inspiration.
Shonee´s work, a harmonious fusion of digital media and natural wonder, captivates and challenges, inviting viewers to traverse a realm where art transcends traditional forms.
Through her journey from the lush rainforests of Costa Rica to the urban landscapes of Canada, Shonee redefines the essence of art in the digital age, proving that technology can be a potent tool for connection and environmental consciousness.
Bianca Shonee Arroyo, known professionally as Shonee, is a dynamic force in the digital media art scene.
Based in Montreal, this Costa Rican-Canadian artist has carved a distinctive niche in the art world with her unique blend of nature and technology.
Shonee's journey is not just one of artistic expression but also of personal exploration and environmental advocacy.
Bianca Shonee -> The Pond, 2023, 15 minute video and audio loop, detail of multimedia installation, 24 ft. 3-wall projection, augmented reality display on a 49” plasma television, 5 video displays, holographic display, 60” cut out inkjet prints, artificial plants, soil Image taken at OPTICA (Montreal CA) as part of the 18th edition of MOMENTA Biennale. Image depicts two video displays, artificial plants and soil. Image courtesy of Paul Litherland. -> The Pond 1, 2023 | 15 minute video and audio loop, detail of multimedia installation, 24 ft. 3-wall projection, augmented reality display on a 49” plasma television, 5 video displays, holographic display, 60” cut out inkjet prints, artificial plants, soil Image taken at OPTICA (Montreal CA) as part of the 18th edition of MOMENTA Biennale | Image depicts augmented reality displayed on a large, rollable screen, in front of 3-wall projection, artificial plants and soil | Courtesy the artist
Shonee's art is deeply influenced by her childhood experiences. Growing up on the edge of a rainforest in Costa Rica, she later found herself abruptly transplanted to a stark, suburban town in Canada.
This profound shift in environment and culture shaped her connection to nature and technology.
Shonee Bianca: Last Species on Earth2, 2022 | 4 minute video loop with accompanying 17 minute audio loop, video still Image depicts a video still taken from a single-channel video | Courtesy the artist
The great outdoors, once a tangible reality, became a distant memory, leading Shonee to seek solace in wildlife documentaries and screens.
This early exposure to technology as a tool for connection became a cornerstone of her artistic philosophy.
Her most recent accolades, including the EQ Bank’s 2021 Emerging Digital Artists Award and the Grantham Foundation's Visual Artist’s Prize, are a testament to her growing influence in the art world.
Shonee's work has reached international audiences, with exhibitions at prestigious venues like the William Morris Gallery In London, programmed by Tate Liverpool, PRIOR Art Space in Barcelona, Platforms Project In Athens, and OPTICA: centre d'art contemporain in Montreal.
Shonee's creative practice is a fascinating amalgamation of multimedia installations, 3D animation, multi-channel video, Sculpture, sound, speculative storytelling, and large-format printing,
Her artworks provoke a shift in our understanding of our eco system, illuminating aspects and perspectives of nature that we previously may not have considered.
In her multi-sensorial installations, Shonee portrays vivid, lush interpretations of natural environments.
These installations feature 3D animated graphics of creatures that, while inspired by real plants and animals, maintain a unique identity.
Through these portrayals, Shonee intends to spark a newfound appreciation for the endangered, non-human world—a world often overlooked in our fast-paced, human-centric society.
Shonee's art is not just visually stunning; it's an empathetic experience that challenges viewers to reconsider their relationship with the eco system and modern technology.
Shonee aims to promote a sustainable physical world through her use of visualization technologies like augmented reality, with her particularly noteworthy employment of screens in installations.
Far from being a tool for concealment, these screens act as mirrors, reflecting our reality and prompting introspection about our role in the natural world.
Shonee, is more than an artist; she is a visionary. Her work is a compelling blend of personal narrative, artistic innovation, and environmental consciousness.
Through her unique lens, she invites us to see the world anew—to appreciate the fragile beauty of nature and consider our place within it.
As her career progresses, Shonee continues to be a luminary figure in the digital art world, inspiring change and appreciation for our eco system through her captivating installations.
Follow Shonee On Instagram for further infos or discover her Shonee Space for a deeper look into her work.
Shonee Space online
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