What do Whole Foods, a Swedish Art Collective and a Dumpster Fire have in common? They’ve all won @maggiequinnart’s affection.
Today we kick off our Cosmic Collaborator Series with Maggie Quinn, a digital artist and creator who moved to Austin from Washington DC in 2019.
The Cosmic Collaborator Series is a month-long takeover featuring Art Island collaborators from different artistic worlds. We’ll be exploring their art and attitude in the time of the ‘rona. They’ll share their words, their work, and they’ll takeover our stories to showcase a way that they express their art. Let’s go!
Maggie Quinn came breezing our way with a big smile and even bigger talents. Give her a folllow, swipe to read on, and look out for her work glitching up our feed all week! >>
What’s your full name, pronouns, and IG handle?
Maggie Quinn
She/Her
@maggiequinnart
When did you move to Austin?
January 2019
What is your primary medium or other mediums you like to create in?:
I’m a digital artist/creator. I studied motion design but I create graphic design, film and generative art. Combining them most of the time.
So many of us are multi-media…. If you had to survive on Art Island with just one artistic prop what would it be?
My laptop with touchdesigner on it and some sort of camera input. This year has been all about distorting film footage to make windy/ethereal atmospheres.
If it is like a costume prop then probably a furry animal ear headband or hat (✿◠‿◠)
How did you first hear of Art Island?
I landed my spaceship onto Art Island one cool February evening in 2019. A liminal experience. I had just moved to Austin and I was immediately enamored.
How did you get involved in Art Island?
Art Island is a very collaborative environment. Everyone is very open to working on things and trying new stuff out. So I feel like it is pretty easy to start vibing and get involved with stuff once you have an idea.
Where and when did you show work or collaborate with the team?
I was asked to VJ one of the first virtual art islands. It was actually my first time doing TouchDesigner in a live setting. Such a fun night and it was awesome raising money for LBGTQ organizations as well!
How has your artistic flow during quarantine/COVID times/The ‘rona been?
It's been a lot of ups and downs. Inspiration comes in waves but I am strangely grateful for the amount of time I’ve had to work on things. Finding inspiration is a whole task in and of itself this year since there are so many restrictions on what you can do and where you can be. There were a lot of times this year that I felt silly creating art because there are such greater problems in the world. But at the end of the day, this is my profession and I need to continue doing it.
What’s your favorite artistic expression/project/life-giving experience you’ve had during this time?
I started this year by making a lot of instagram filters, a few for my own page and that is on the @wholefoods instagram page. It was very fun but then it felt super silly to keep making the filters because it was such a serious year. Then I got really into TouchDesigner and experimenting with taking film footage into generative software. I’d love to make a film with some of those vibes.
What brings you life during the ‘rona?
There is actually a lot of really sick art that has been created this year. I’ve been really into Drain Gang recently, they are a collective of audiovisual artists from Stockholm. I love all the music videos they make, they are so futuristic and cool. Ecco2k was actually the last live music I saw this year, back in early March. He makes amazing art.
Favorite Austin gallery/venue/art collective… basically who should we be paying attention to??
Honestly everything that the dadageek folks put out is spectacular. They have had a bunch of cool virtual exhibitions and events this year that have been rad. I took my first dadageek class this spring when the lockdown started and it was amazing! They are some of the nicest and most talented people in Austin. A few weeks ago I got to see a live percussion performance that was done on the two big dumpsters behind dadalab. Only in Austin, TX would you be able to attend a completely sold out dumpster performance.
What do you want most for 2021?
The vaccine probably. LOL. But everyone wants that. I just want everyone to have a fresh start and more energy in the new year. Find peace & hope in their lives.
What do you want to create in 2021?
I want to use my camera more and do more film stuff. I have a nice camera that I barely use. I might get a cheap film camera too just to play around with.
I actually have a list of art projects that I would like to do at some point. I’d like to put more content on my website and get deeper in TouchDesigner.
What do you want to see Art Island do in 2021?
Honestly whatever you all do it is going to be fabulous. I miss the art island tribe in person, I know that we will be reunited soon <3
Where can we find your work: (online or IRL)
About
The Cosmic Collaborator Series is a month-long takeover featuring Art Island collaborators from different artistic worlds. We’ll be exploring their art and attitude in the time of the ‘rona. They’ll share their words, their work, and they’ll takeover our stories to showcase a way that they express their art.