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BIO


Juan Manuel Escalante

born: Mexico City
based in: Southern California (USA)

Escalante is an artist and educator working with computer code, modular synthesizers, and analog drawings. His work has been shown in major festivals and exhibitions worldwide. He was a member of the National System of Art Creators (2017-2019 National Endowment for the Arts, MWX) and received the Corwin Award (1st prize) for Electronic-Acoustic Composition in 2016.

Escalante holds an MFA in Architecture Design (UNAM) and a Ph.D. in Media Arts & Technology (University of California, Santa Barbara).

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SOCIAL


: jmescalante (at) fullerton.edu
: @realitat
: @35c414nt3

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ARTIST STATEMENT


My work relies on diagrams to parse the inner and outside world (if there is such a distinction). These maps become machines of abstraction. They enable the translation of one medium, domain, or dataset into another. I use sound, drawings, and code to complete a process where computer programming occupies a central role, serving as an orchestration mechanism. Throughout most of my practice, source material, both empirical and speculative, is reinterpreted through a process of stochastic computation.

As a result, the work manifests through a wide range of outputs, such as performances, audiovisual work, graphic notation, print, and screen-based media. Over time, all of these forms rescript one another and keep the process in a state of flux. My work today is a consequence of these transformative mechanisms with all their chaos, dynamics, and poetics.

*






    _
    EDUCATION


    2014 - 2020
    Ph.D. in Media Arts and Technology University of California, Santa Barbara   Advisors: Curtis Roads (chair), Marko Peljhan, Andrés Cabrera

    2004 - 2006
    Master of Architecture  Advisors: María Elena Hernández (chair), Álvaro Sánchez González   School of Architecture, National University of Mexico (UNAM)

    1999 - 2003
    Bachelor of Architecture   Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana - Xochimilco *Medal of Excellence / Best GPA of class 99

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    AWARDS + GRANTS


    2023
    Far South Border North Grant
        California Arts Council / The Conrad Prebys Foundation (USA)

    2022
    Faculty Recognition for Teaching
       California State University, Fullerton (USA)
    Faculty Enhancement and Instructional Development (FEID) Award
        Faculty Development Center - California State University, Fullerton (USA)

    2021
    Virtual and Online Innovations and Curricular Enhancements, 1st prize
        Categories: Inclusive Teaching & Student Engagement
        California State University, Fullerton (USA)
    Faculty Recognition for Scholarly and Creative Activity
        California State University, Fullerton (USA)

    2019
    Olivia Long Graduate Fellowship
       Graduate Division, UCSB
    Mildred. E Mathias Graduate Research Grant
        UC Natural Reserve System

    2017 - 2020
    Member of the National System of Art Creators
       National Endowment for the Arts FONCA (MEX)

    2016
    Corwin Award - Electronic-Acoustic Composition, 1st prize
         Music Department, UC Santa Barbara (USA) 
        Project: The Sound Digestive System

    2014 - 2017
    UC International Regent Fellow
       University of California, Santa Barbara (USA)

    2013
    Young Creator Fellowship
        National Endowment for the Arts FONCA (MEX)
        Project: Cannon Fodder
    Data Journalism Award, finalist
       Global Editors Network, World Summit (FRA)
       Project: 34612

    2012
    Songwriting Composition, 2nd prize
       Foro del Tejedor (MEX)

    2011
    Young Creator Fellowship
       National Endowment for the Arts FONCA (MEX)
       Project: Garden of Dystopia
    Best Electronic Art Piece, 1st prize
       ArteShock DocuSeries, TV UNAM (MEX)
       Project: 34612

    2002
    Best Multimedia Application, 1st prize
      Association of Multimedia Developers AMU, UNAM (MEX)

    2003
    a! International Design Award, finalist
       a! Magazine (MEX)
    Best Multimedia Application, 1st prize
       Association of Multimedia Developers AMU, UNAM (MEX)






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    SOLO EXHIBITIONS


    2018
    Diagrammatics
        The Glass Box Gallery (USA)

    2017
    MeanTime
        The Glass Box Gallery (USA)

    2012
    Algorithmic Hermeneutics
        National Center for the Arts (MEX)

    2011
    34612
        Garash Galería (MEX)


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    CURATORIAL WORK


    2024
    Diagrammatic Machines, The FRONT Gallery (USA)

    2020
    LED Drive-In Event, Cal State Fullerton (USA)

    2015
    MAT End of Year Show, UC Santa Barbara (USA)
        *co-curated with Fabian Offert

    2012
    Algorithmic Topographies
        University Museum of Sciences and Arts MUCA (MEX)
    Analogue Nostalgia, Sala Margolīn (MEX)

    2020
    Preludio: Arte Digital Generativo, Luis Unikel Library,
        School of Architecture, UNAM (MEX)

    _
    GROUP SHOWS + FESTIVALS


    2024
    TENOR 24, Zurich (CHE)
        Curator: Micha Seidenberg

    2022
    Primarolia Art Festival, Aegio (GRC)
        Curator: Alex Karantanas
    Athens Digital Arts Festival, Athens (GRC)
        Curator: Alez Karantanas
    Future Tense, Jim Thompson Art Center, Bangkok (THA)
        Curator: Girdthiya Gaweewong
    Redirecciones Visuales,
        Centro Mexicano para la Música y Artes Sonoras (MEX)
       Curators: Jorge Flores + Gabriela Reyes

    2021
    Generative Unfoldings, Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT (USA)
       Curators: Nick Monfort 
    Ars Electronica, Expanded Animation (AUT)

    2019
    M.A.D.E. California NanoSystems Institute (USA)
       Curators: the MAT EoYS Team

    2018
    UCSB Summer Music Fesival, UC Santa Barbara (USA)
       Curator: Rodney DuPlessis

    2017
    Plums Fest, ArtPlay Design Center, Moscow (RUS)
        Curator: Anna Bychkova
    CURRENTS New Media Festival, Santa Fe (USA)
        Curator: Yoon C Han
    The Future is Now, Holon Institute of Technology (ISR)
        Curator: Zachi Dinar

    2016
    SV + VS, Dongdaemun History and Culture Park, Seoul (KOR)
        Curator: Yoon C Han

    2015
    Sonifying Visuals + Visualizing Sound, Fellows of Contemporary Art,
        Los Angeles (USA) Curator: Yoon C Han
    New Realities, Mobile World Capital Barcelona (ESP)
        Curator: Carmen Salas (AlphaVille)
    Open Sources, California NanoSystems Institute (USA)
        Curator: Fabian Offert

    2014
    Muerte Chiquita, Gurú Galería (MEX)
        Curator: Nadia Islas 
    Creación en Movimiento, San Pedro Art Museum, Puebla (MEX)

    2013
    D-Dessin, represented by Yam Gallery (FRA)
        Curator: Marié Moebius, Adolfo Caballero.
    Muerte Chiquita, Gurú Galería (MEX)
        Curator: Nadia Islas
    Paralelas Contemporáneas IV, Oscar Román Gallery (MEX)
        Curator: Oscar Román
    Proceso, Gurú Galería (MEX)
        Curator: Nadia Islas

    2012
    Creación en Movimiento, Center for the Arts SLP (MEX)
    Art and New Media ShowCase, National Center for the Arts (MEX)

    2011
    Infographics Exhibition, Cardiff History Museum (GBR)
        Curator: Spike Dennis
    Cardiff Design Festival, Sho Gallery (GBR)
        Curator: Spike Dennis
    Expo *BTCR, School of Architecture, UNAM (MEX)
        Curators: Francisco Erazo, Jhavier Loeza

    2010
    Arte Actual, Contemporary Art Museum, Aguascalientes (MEX)



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    PERFORMANCES


    2022
    CONTACT: 17th Biennial Symposium on Arts and Technology,
        Ammerman Center for Arts and Technology.
        Project: Neutral Friend, Unknown Enemy

    2018
    PIF Camp: Nature + Nerdture, Soča (SVN)
       Project: Zvoki Soče

    2017
    Metronomes of the Spirit
         Santa Barbara Center for Art, Science, and Technology (USA)
         Project: The Aesthetics of Farewells
    Volcán (*closed doors event)
        The Systemics Lab, California NanoSystems Institute (USA)
        Project: Volcán
    MeanTime
       Live-electronic improvisation, the Glass Box Gallery (USA)

    2016
    Procedencia (encore)
        Santa Barbara Center for Art, Science, and Technology (USA)
         Project: Procedencia

    2015
    Open Sources, California NanoSystems Institute (USA)
        Project: Lu.Ki.Dus

    2013
    Festival NRML, Centro de Cultura Digital (MEX)
    Mutek Festival MX, Cine Tonalá (MEX)
       Project: Procedencia / La Ilusión de lo Diferente
    Mutek Festival MX, La Faena Concert Hall (MEX)
       Project: Klik + Frik
    New Benshi Sessions, Cine Tonalá (MEX)
        Project: Procedencia
    Ceremonia Festival, Toluca (MEX)
        Project: Procedencia
    Miscelánea, La Esmeralda, National Center for the Arts (MEX)
       Project: La Vitesse de Libération
    Zona MACO Art Fair (MEX)
       Project: Jardín de la Distopía

    2012
    Black Box, Woody Allen Cultural Center (MEX)
       Project: BCTR

    2011
    Artefactos, Ex-Teresa Arte Actual (MEX)
    /* Vivo Live Coding Festival, National Center for the Arts (MEX)

    2010
    Computer Music Showcase
        Centro Multimedia, National Center for the Arts (MEX)
        Project: Miseria/Preludio




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    PUBLICATIONS

    Papers and Book Chapters


    Escalante, J.M., Yu, Yin. Audiovisual Performance Notation. Expanded Animation: Tectonic Shift. Synaesthetic Syntax. Ars Electronica Festival, Linz (2021)

    Escalante, J.M., The Sound Digestive System: a Strategy for Music and Sound Composition in: Proceedings of EvoMUSART 2015, Network of Excellence in Evolutionary Computing, Copenhagen (2015)

    Escalante, J.M., (2012) (book foreword). In Erazo, F, Lhoeza X, *.BTCR (pp. 4-7), Mexico City, MEX.:Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

    Escalante, J.M., (2008) Nuevos horizontes digitales. In Hernández, M.E., Hennings, V. “De otras historias, asuntos e interpretaciones de la arquitectura americana no divulgadas o poco conocidas“. Mexico City, MEX. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios de Posgrado de la Facultad de Arquitectura, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

    Escalante, J.M., (2006) CTRL-X :: ¡No al copy/paste! Nuevos horizontes digitales/espaciales. In Fuentes, E. “Las nuevas tecnologías y su inserción en la plástica tradicional“. (pp 19-28) , Mexico City, MEX. Instituto de Investigaciones Estéticas. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

    Escalante, J.M., (2004) La Torre de Ingeniería. In “Diseño en síntesis: reflexiones sobre la cultura del diseño”, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, 14.34

    Escalante, J.M., (2004) Historia de una ciudad suspendida o todo es espacio. In “Arquitectura y Humanidades”, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México




    Exhibition Catalogs and Extended Performance Programs


    2021
    Sof Tectonics Photo Essay (w/ Yin Yu)
        6 x 9 in. 40 pages.

    2018
    An Incomplete Compendium of Uncertainties
        4 x 6 in. 48 pages.
    Procedencia, Performance Program
        5 x 8 in. 54 pages.
    MeanTime Exhibition Catalog
        6 x 9 in. 60 pages.

    2016
    SV + VF Exhibition Catalog
        Designed by Yoon C Han
        8 x 10 in. 29 pages.
    Open Sources Exhibition Catalog
        w / Fabian Offert
        7 x 10 in. 116 pages

    2011
    Artefactos Book
        7 x 7 in. 120 pages.


    Limited-run Editions + Artist Books

    2018
    Zvoki Soče (Sounds of Soča)
        7 x 7 in, 30 pages.

    2015
    The Sound Digestive System
        8 x 10 in, 120 pages.

    2014
    Gozadero Stage
        10 x 8 in. 440 pages.

    2011
    Algorithmic Hermeneutics
        8 x 10 in. 150 pages.

    2010
    Manifiesto
        5 x 8 in. 440 pages


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    INVITED TALKS AND PANELS


    2022
    Art in the Post-Digital Age
        TryCities Global Network (FRA) (MEX) (CAN) (VNM)
    Guest Lecture - Artist Talk
        ART 483T: Art World, Cal State Fullerton (USA)
    Artist Talk
        ARTHIST 163: Digital Visual Studies, UC Santa Barbara (USA)

    2021
    Generative Approaches for the Arts and Design
        ART22: Computer Programming for the Arts, UC Santa Barbara (USA)Charla de Artista: Juan M. Escalante
        Art Department, Universidad de las Americas Puebla (MEX)
    Punto. Linea. Sonido
        School of Design, Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey,
        Campus Sonora (MEX)
    Critical Machine Learning for Net-Artists
        Department of Germanic and Slavic Studies, UC Santa Barbara (USA)
    Mobile Media
        ART 102, Art Department, UC Santa Barbara (USA)

    2018
    Zvoki Soče / Sounds of Soča
        The MAT Seminar, UC Santa Barbara (USA)

    2015
    Iteraciones: programar, cultivar, continuar
        Salon Abierto Festival, National Center for the Arts CENART (MEX)The Sound Digestive System
        Evostar Conference, National Museum of Denmark (DNK)

    2008
    Modern Website Design
        4th Forum of Online Academic Publishing, UNAM (MEX)
    La Arquitectura en la Era de la Post-Revolucion Digital
        School of Architecture & Design, UAM-X (MEX)

    2007
    Podcasts as Learning Tools
        International Symposium for Education and Technology.
        Mexican Society of Educational Technologies, SOMECE (MEX)Architecture in the Age of Post-Digital Revolution
        International Conference in Architecture,
        Urbanism and Design Computation, School of Architecture, UNAM (MEX)

    2006
    No al copy/paste! Ciberespacio y nuevos horizontes espaciales
       New Technologies and the Traditional Visual Arts Symposium
        School of Art and Design, FAD-UNAM (MEX)

    2004
    Uqbar
        III New and Traditional Approaches to the Visual Arts.
        School of Architecture and Design, FES Aragon (MEX)
    The Scientific Method: an Interactive Approach
        Presentation of Interactive CD-ROM. 
        International Symposium on New Technologies and Computation
        Mexican Society of Educational Technologies, SOMECE (MEX)

    2001
    Interactive Methods for the Display + Navigation of Architectural Plans
        II Ibero-American Summit of Innovative Pedagogical
        Material and Technologies for Education
        Autonomous Metropolitan University, UAM (MEX)
    Interactive Games for Education Case Study: Vitaminas y Co-Enzimas
        XVI International Symposium for Education and Technology
        Mexican Society of Educational Technologies, SOMECE (MEX)
    A Virtual Microscope
        II Ibero-American Summit of Innovative Pedagogical Material
        and Technologies for Education, UAM-X (MEX)
    Game Design for Education, the Biochemistry Interactive Manual
       II Ibero-American Summit of Innovative Pedagogical Material
        and Technologies for Education, UAM-X (MEX)

    2000
    The Optical Microscope
        Interactive Software Presentation (CD-ROM)
        International Symposium for Education and Technology, SOMECE (MEX)
    Interactive Tutorials for Bio-Chemistry Equations
        International Symposium for Education and Technology, SOMECE (MEX)
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    TEACHING EXPERIENCE



    2024 - present
    Associate Professor in Graphic and Interactive Design *
    Department of Art, California State University, Fullerton (USA) *early tenure

    2020 - 2024
    Assistant Professor in Graphic and Interactive Design
    Department of Art, California State University, Fullerton (USA)

    Courses taught:        483F: Design for Interactive Art
                           483I: Motion Graphics
                           483E: Computer Assisted Graphics
                           223C: Digital Typography    
                           323A: Graphic Design


    2018 - 2019
    Lecturer, Department of Art,
    University of California Santa Barbara (USA)


    Course taught:     ART 22: Introduction to Programming for the Arts
                       (four quarters/iterations)

    2009 - 2014
    Lecturer and Research Staff
    Graduate Program in Architecture Design
    School of Architecture, National University of Mexico, UNAM (MEX)

    Courses taught:    Architecture and New Media
                           Graduate-level seminar, several iterations.
                        PREGRAMA
                            (Computer Drawings)
                       MICROSONIC LANDSCAPES
                             Co-Instructor: Hugo I. E. Almazan and 
                            Julián Covarrubias
                            (Digital fabrication and creative coding)
                       MÁQUINAS SONORAS
                             Co-Instructor: Hugo I. E. Almazan
                            (Audiovisual experimentation)
                       ARTEFACTOS
                            Co-Instructor: Cecilia Sanchez Nava
                            (Creative coding and electronics)
                       NOSTALGIA ANALÓGICA
                             Co-Instructors: Claudia Arana, Mario Prado
                            (Creative coding and traditional printing)
                       GRAFíA MANUAL DEGENERATIVA
                             Co-Instructor: Francisco Erazo
                            (Situationist workshop)
                       TOPOGRAFÍA ALGORÍTMICA
                            (Creative coding and digital fabrication)
                       SPECIAL TOPCS IN DESIGN
                            Co-Instructors: Fernando Martin Juez,
                             Alejandro Cabeza
                       HIGH-IMPACT DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL PEDAGOGICAL TOOLS
                            (One semester)



    ADDITIONAL SHORT ONE-TIME WORKSHOPS AND COURSES

    2024
    Diagrammatic Machines
        Binational initiative supported by the City of San Diego
        San Diego, CA (USA)
        Tijuana, BC (MEX)

    2016
    Personal Mentorship
        University of California, Santa Barbara (USA)     
        Personal artistic mentorship for Cemre Koc

    2014
    Interactive Visual Applications
        Centro de Cultura Digital, CCD (MEX)

    2012
    Generative Art Workshop
        Gray Area Foundation for the Arts (USA)
    */ vivo */ Live Coding Workshop
        National Center for the Arts (MEX)

    2007
    Podcast Production
        National Autonomous University of Mexico (MEX)
        Co-Instructor: Carlos Bautista

    2006 - 2005
    W3: Interactive Academic Contents
        Pedagogical content creation for the web
        UNAM (multiple campuses and editions) (MEX)

    2003
    Content Development for Remote Learning
        Media Lab, FES-Zaragoza, UNAM (MEX)
    Interactive Pedagogical Media with Flash
        National High School, Campus no.05 (MEX)
    High-impact Content Creation for the Web
        Media Lab, FES-Zaragoza, UNAM (MEX)

    2002
    High-impact Content Creation for the Web
        Autonomous University of Chiapas (MEX)

    2001
    Pedagogical applications with Macromedia Flash
        Media Lab, FES-Zaragoza, UNAM (MEX)




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    AFFILIATIONS + OTHER INITIATIVES


    2015-2019
    Koç Lab - Designer in Residence
    Computer Science Department, UC Santa Barbara (USA) 2013 Arte + Ciencia Think Tank Role: Member. School of Philosophy

    2013-2015
    Bitácora - Editorial Board Member
    Peer-reviewed Journal.
    School of Architecture, UNAM (MEX)

    2005-2004
    Architecthum - Editorial Board Member
    Peer-reviewed online magazine. School of Architecture, Graduate Program in Architecture Design, UNAM (MEX)

    2012-2015
    PMX Processing Mexico Founder
    Cultural Hub as a part of the Processing Cities Network (MEX)

    2006
    Media Lab - Founder
    Graduate School of Architecture, UNAM (MEX)

    2001
    Laboratorio Multimedia - Co-Founder
    FES Zaragoza Campus, UNAM (MEX)
    _
    ADDITIONAL STUDIES


    2020
    Laser Safety Officer Training, The Laser Institute (LIA)

    2018
    The Radical Listener, Field Recording Workshop
        Instructor: Lawrence English

    SenseMini Workshop
        Instructor: Václav Pelousek (BASTL)

    2016
    OMS Synth Minilab, Electronics + Synth Workshop
        Instructor: Peter Edwards (Casper Electronics)

    2013
    Typeface Creation
        Instructor: Mónica Munguía

    2010
    Algorithmic Composition
        Instructor: Ernesto Romero
    Interactive Art with Open Source Tools
        Instructor: David Cuartielles (Arduino)

    2004
    Advanced Actionscript
       Instructor: Fernando Florez

    2003
    Advance Creative Programming
       Instructor: Iván Abreu





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