Oslo-Based Doomsday Artist Javier Barrios (born 1979 San Luis Potosi) works with landscapes moving between facts and utopia. His inspiration is drawn from science fiction as well as doomsday predictions, visions of the future and space exploration. Read more about the Norwegian science fiction artist.
Javier Barrios, originally from Guatemala, studied at the National Academy of Arts, Oslo and at the School of Visual Arts, New York. He is also a writer on art and he harvests information from populist medias such as the internet, films, books, television and journals. His aim is to throw light on contemporary tendencies.
Anthropos, the book
Last year, he launched his book Anthropos which is his elaboration of the topic of human impact on geology and eco-systems. Anthropos is Greek for human, but the real meaning is “someone who looks up to the sky”.
Barrios’ multidisciplinary works display a balance on fiber optic cables coated in stardust and matter. He is always asking philosophical questions about the evolution of mankind, searching the balance between facts and fiction.
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Norwegian Science Fiction Artist
With use of materials like mylar, plexi, aluminum and light, Barrios creates a dynamic constellation visualizing the complexity of the theme. In Anthropos he aims to present a balanced view between the chaotic representation of human activity and human development from primitivity to today’s high-tech society by incorporating photographs he has collected over years.
Anthropos has been made in collaboration with designer and publisher William Løve Stormdal and writer Carlos Gonzales and is a result of a two months stay at Galeria Marso in Mexico City in 2016.
Climatic and structural shift of power
“How has Mankind been able to move from picking lice off each other’s backs, to a world where we build spaceships and send them out into the vast and desolate space?” he asks and adds, “There is no doubt that we are living through exciting times where the world is experiencing an economic, a climatic and a structural shift of power. While the world’s population is increasing and our natural resources are being depleted, rapid technological progress is laying a new platform for our modern life.”
Solo and group exhibitions
Javier Barrios’ solo exhibibitions include Rod Bianco Gallery, Oslo; Akershus Kunstner Senter, Lillestrøm; Galerie Muelhaupt, Cologne and group exhibitions at Galleri K, Oslo; Vestfossen Kunstlaboratorium; Norsk Skulprturbiennale and Vigeland Museum. He lives and works in Oslo.
Norwegian Science Fiction Artist Questions Human Development, written by Tor Kjolberg