Victor Acevedo and the Language of Electronic Visual Music

In the article “Synesthetic Visions: Victor Acevedo and the Language of EVM,” Victor Acevedo, a pioneer in digital art, discusses his development of Electronic Visual Music (EVM), a term he coined in 2013 to describe a genre where visual elements are synchronized with music to create a synesthetic experience. Acevedo’s journey began in the 1980s when he transitioned from traditional painting to digital art, inspired by the concept of visual music introduced to him by Gene Youngblood’s class and Ed Emshwiller’s video “Sunstone” (1979). This exposure led him to explore the interplay between sound and visuals, aiming to express musical structures graphically through geometric abstractions infused with lysergic energy.

Acevedo emphasizes that in EVM, visuals are not mere accompaniments to sound but are integral expressions of the music itself. His work often incorporates Eastern mysticism, reflecting a deep engagement with the metaphysical aspects of art. By embracing the technologies of each era, from the early days of computer graphics to the current digital landscape, Acevedo has created a body of work that challenges traditional boundaries between auditory and visual art forms, offering immersive experiences that engage multiple senses simultaneously.

The themes and ideas presented in Acevedo’s exploration of EVM resonate with several digital artworks that blend geometric abstraction, synesthetic experiences, and visual music. For instance, “E_002: F__K with the Android live visualization” by ooakosimo exemplifies the fusion of sound and visuals through modular visualization powered by JavaScript. The artwork’s dynamic, pulsating patterns mirror the rhythm and energy of the accompanying music, creating a multisensory experience that aligns with Acevedo’s concept of visual music as an expression of sound in visual form.

Similarly, “231108l13dQx23002300” by leftover employs geometric abstraction to evoke a sense of movement and energy. The central red form, surrounded by dynamic violet textures, suggests a visual representation of a musical pulse or beat, embodying the synesthetic interplay between color and sound that Acevedo advocates. The artwork’s abstract nature invites viewers to interpret the visual elements as manifestations of auditory sensations, reinforcing the idea of music for the eyes.

In “Screen People 3 #53” by Estelle Flores, the use of a central red polygonal shape against a textured background creates a focal point that draws the viewer’s attention. The minimalist composition and bold color choices resonate with the principles of geometric abstraction and visual music, where simplicity and form are used to convey complex emotional and sensory experiences. This piece, like Acevedo’s work, challenges viewers to perceive visual art as an extension of musical expression, blurring the lines between the auditory and the visual.

Furthermore, “Red Bull Energy, 250ml” by Užupis presents a straightforward depiction of a consumer product, yet its vibrant color palette and composition evoke a sense of energy and movement. While not directly related to music, the artwork’s visual impact and the artist’s use of digital tools reflect the lysergic energy and immediacy that Acevedo describes in his EVM pieces. The piece’s simplicity belies a depth of commentary on consumer culture, paralleling the way EVM seeks to convey complex musical structures through visual means.

These artworks, through their use of geometric abstraction, dynamic compositions, and integration of sound and visuals, embody the principles of Electronic Visual Music as articulated by Victor Acevedo. They demonstrate the ongoing exploration of synesthetic experiences in digital art, where the boundaries between senses are blurred, and viewers are invited to engage with art in a holistic, multisensory manner.

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References

Source Article

https://blog.objkt.com/post/vx1z3xmsd6xmzu2vz7vi942cvll539

Artworks

1. “Red Bull Energy, 250ml” by Užupis
   

   

   
   I would like to buy a can of Red Bull for 1.49 € from REWE. Just want to impress guests with a variety of soft drinks. Made with Microsoft Paint in 6 minutes. 6 minutes is the time you need to work at German minimum wage to earn 1.49 € (currently 3.03 xtz). 1000x1000px | 0.1mb

2. “Red Bull Energy, open “ by Užupis
   

   

   
   I owed 30 minutes of work to tz1WrEjvFiVTChGdxAfH8qyB3v9KyN97uUTg because the auction bid was too high. I painted an open open red bull for 7.84 €. I asked Nano Banana to put the red bull into a place where people need to stay awake. We came up with this tank interior. However, Nano Banano would insist to show a destroyed tank. This leaves me torn between worried and touched. Made with Microsoft Paint in 30 minutes. 1000x1000px | 0.1mb

3. “E_002: F__K with the Android live visualization” by ooakosimo
   

   

   
   Live Visual Generation Playing w/ MODV - modular visualization powered by JavaScript Music: F__K with the Android by Hypogeo, Electripnose v_001: https://hic.af/o/693693

4. “F__K with the Android live visualization” by ooakosimo
   

   

   
   Live Visual Generation Playing w/ MODV - modular visualization powered by JavaScript Music: F__K with the Android by Hypogeo, Electripnose ModV: https://modv.vcync.gl/

5. “Screen People 3 #53” by Estelle Flores
   

   

   
   Performing

6. “Kristina Sheli & Dr. G - Still (Music Video)” by 4pawsrecords
   

   

   
   Official music video created by Sasha Sherdin @sherdin Audio file available on all download streaming platforms. Download or stream f.e., the track here: https://sheli.bandcamp.com/track/still

7. “I am a pillar of positive energy “ by Daniel myth
   

   

   
   CLOK THE MYTH GUILTY GRILLO

8. “231108l13dQx23002300” by leftover
   

   

   
   ``

9. "$ignal” by 1mpo$ter
   

   

   
   #9 | $ignal | @_1mposter

10. “TOTER_001” by BRENDAN TADLER
    

    

    
    My First Toter // #trashart

Keywords

geometric abstraction, synesthetic, lysergic energy, visual music

Source

https://blog.objkt.com/post/vx1z3xmsd6xmzu2vz7vi942cvll539