Paseo Project Artist in Residence for May

Ruben Olguin explores the hidden history of water

Tannounced their next Artist in Residence for 2023, Ruben Olguin. For three weeks, Olguin will be in Taos sharing with the community their participatory project “Viñetas de Aguas.” The Paseo Project has a full schedule of events with Olguin, that include community events, youth workshops, an artist talk and a culminating pop-up projection event.

The hidden histories of how water shaped Taos are not plainly visible to a casual observer. Throughout the indigenous and colonial settlements of the Taos valley, water has been at the center of development. “Viñetas de Aguas” is a project that reveals the hidden histories as video projection vignettes throughout the downtown area.

Incorporating local community members and expert historical input from local partners, small snippets of media will activate the historic district, lighting up the night and displaying these histories telling the story of water and the people of Taos. Small videos may be hidden on a sidewalk break, a broken piece of stucco, or the wall of a building, unveiling historical images, maps and the landscapes concealed by time.

Ruben Olguin is a New Mexicobased artist working in ceramics, adobe, sound, video and electronic media. His work draws from his mixed Indigenous American and Spanish (mestizo) heritage. He incorporates traditional hand processes of earthen materials with modern elements. “My practice focuses on spending as much time in the desert as in the computer lab.”

He has exhibited internationally in the U.S., Spain and Germany. He graduated with an MFA from The University of New Mexico Department of Fine Arts in Electronic Arts, and holds a BA in Media Art from The University of New Mexico. His goals are to make and teach new media art along with socially engaged art practices. He is currently Professor of Digital Arts at Florida SouthWestern State College.