Introducing our new 2020 AIR/ED Residents Ariandy Luna and Danielle Dynes
LATITUDE presents a new program initiative, AIR/ED. The Artist in Residence: Education and Development program brings two Chicago high school artists into the lab to develop and produce their projects free of charge while receiving guidance, training, and support from staff and volunteers.
Recently we sat down with both incoming residents to have them answer a few questions about their interests, background and artistic process. Read both interviews below.
Q & A
Q&A with Ariandy Luna and Danielle Dynes, interviewed by Lucy McDonald and Annie Zidek
Who are your top three favorite artists right now?
Ariandy Luna (AL): I’d say my top three favorite artists right now are Jourdon Gullet, Matt C. Harvey, and Octavi Arrizabalaga. They all have very contrasting styles, but their work all consist of aspects that I’d like to introduce into my art.
Danielle Dynes (DD): My top three favorite artists right now are Flore Zoe, Sara Rose Wright and Carla Borel.
What inspires you to make art?
AL: A lot of things inspire me to make art. The music I listen to, the neighborhood I live in, my day to day life... but I think I’m just heavily inspired by other artists. It’s really important to have positive role models in your life, and the artists I look up to always make me want to produce more and better work.
DD: When making art, I am inspired by the way people and the world are constantly changing. How emotions and different forms of communication, caused by an ever changing world, influence our decisions and relationships.
Image by Ariandy Luna
Film still from Danielle Dynes
Is there anyone in your family that also makes art? How similar/different are your styles?
AL: I wish there was someone else in my family who created art. I feel I can truly connect with others through my art, and not having someone close to me who is as involved in art as I am can be stressful. Although, I am glad to be surrounded by friends who are, and I truly consider them my family.
DD: Unfortunately most people in my family have STEM careers. I’m actually the first person in my family to go to college for anything art related.
Image by Ariandy Luna
Film still from Danielle Dynes
Who is your celebrity crush?
AL: I’d say... Robert Pattinson and Orville Peck? I saw Robert in the Lighthouse, and he was super cool. Orville Peck just has a really charming and soothing voice.
DD: My celebrity crush is Ruby Rose.
What is your favorite film?
AL: I have a few... as of now, I’d say The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Jojo Rabbit, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. They’re all very different, but they all spread messages that I consider core aspects of my identity.
DD: My favorite film is Back to the Future.
Image by Ariandy Luna
Image by Danielle Dynes
When you are not in school or making art what do you like to do?
AL: I like to be outside all the time- keeping busy. If I’m not working, I’m out at the park, the library, learning a new hobby... I love film, and every time it’s payday, I go to the store and buy a new movie. Not too exciting, but I think it’s some of the best days of the year. I’m also teaching myself how to play guitar!
DD: When I am not doing either of these I like to walk my dogs, spend time in nature, and read new books.
What do you want to accomplish during your residency at LATITUDE?
AL: I really want to make a zine about my experience at my current job. That place was WILD, and I'd really like to record some of the things that happened there. I’d also like to produce something on the gentrification of Pilsen. I grew up there, and I really want to do something that'll leave an impression- not only on others- but myself.
DD: During my residency at LATITUDE, I want to widely and deeply use the technology at hand to explore and slightly enhance my photography style.
What about LATITUDE made you apply for the residency?
AL: I’ve been in a slump the past few months. I feel like I haven’t been producing at my full potential. I’ve been working non-stop to help my mom (who has been unemployed), and it’s all I’ve been really focusing on. I saw someone share the AIR/ED program on Instagram, and I didn’t hesitate to apply. The thought of having a space solely to produce art and be surrounded by others who are there to do the same, sounded like a dream. I want to grow more as an artist, and I know being in a place like LATITUDE will help me do just that.
DD: LATITUDE’s outstanding reputation and unique opportunities made me apply for the residency.
Image by Ariandy Luna
Image by Danielle Dynes