RICA BARBA’S CYBORGS & AESTHETICS

To get a better understanding of Maricar Reyes Barba’s (Pseudonym “Rica Barba”) cyborg art. It is necessary to know the general concepts. A cyborg is a single self regulating system. It includes two different domains. One is natural and the other is artificial – organic or mechanical binary objects. Cyborg only exists as this union of supposed opposites.

The use of prosthetic and other techno sciences is the primary focus. The idea of the cyborg extends down to the micro level of artificial life. In some important ways, one can define a human machine cyborg as a creature modified.

Art is harder to define than cyborg. The art creation process is a languishing practice. For it implies making meaning with materials — or better yet, making material meaning. Art differs from discursive language. In that, it does not send meaning through sets of codes. The transmission is through form and content that makes sense to the psyche. The meaning is  actualized. In time, space, body and matter. It is a sensual and aesthetic experience to the viewer.

One could argue that there are still codes involved. The codes of language discourse are formal in most respects. It is a narrative, logical, and experimental. The codes there are in art seem to be somewhere between explanations. After the fact, publicity, and wishful guessing of interpretations.

The striking thing about cyborgs and art is that the implications of their intersections. Cyborg art is art that interrogates. The intimate relationships between the human body and technology.

Rica Barba’s biomechanical and futuristic digital artworks and paintings are notable for its grace. Its proportion of the human and nonhuman creatures. Her androids, cyborgs, robots and fantasy aliens of homeostatic systems.

As cited by the artist: “They are my visions of ecstasy, enthrallment and transformation. Depicting worlds which often have the dreamlike qualities of nightmares or secret longings fulfilled. There’s a concern for the beauty of the naked human form. A beauty sometimes enhanced by my liquefied chrome. My translucent narrative fractal outer space background and skin. Creating three dimensional depth and light. My steampunk and biomechanical out of these world creatures was the realm of my senses. My art came to me as an expression of both exotic and erotic imagery.”

Rica’s works of art is instinctive. Her conscious aim is to create some sort of visual impact to the viewer. Ideas for her artworks will sometimes come to her when she is half asleep. Though some of them are full blooded products of her dreams and imagination.

“As for me, my private obsession coupled with raw talent of creativity. My determination to master the technicalities of the craft. Makes her a unique artist, Rica said.”

A VISUAL ARTIST THAT THINKS THREE DIMENSIONAL

Rica uses 3D software in her renderings and think in three dimensions. It is the way this artist views the world – not in flat surfaces but in depth. 3D applications provide her polygon tools. This is where she manipulates simple shapes into one that are multifaceted. Using such techniques as extrusion. Pulling the shape out of its base points to create a 3D model. Her canvas is a direct representations of her reality. Her subjects are lit, shadowed, colored, textured and defined just as they are in the real world.

RICA’S CREATIVE INSPIRATION

Born December 1, 1976 in Estancia, Iloilo, Rica’s ambition had always been to be an artist. A graduate of BS Psychology in West Visayas State University in Iloilo City. A self taught visual artist, she did not receive any sort of artistic training. She said, her grandfather, Rev. Restituto Ortigas, was her greatest art influence. The one that provided her books with rich and vibrant colours which enhanced her art visions at an early age. Since then, she made paintings in oil and acrylic. Experimenting with other mediums. Later finding her niche doing three dimensional digital artworks.

ART JOURNEY & STRUGGLES

She began her art career when she moved from her hometown last 2009 to Muntinlupa City. Where she currently resides. Landed a job as Sales Coordinator. At Prime Sales Incorporated of Prime Group of Companies in Taguig City. She became involved in administrative dept and finance. Later promoted as the company president’s secretary. She worked and managed group exhibitions, multitasking her job and arts at the same time.

A freak accident happened last 2014. Where she had a severe patellar knee dislocation and a lumbar and spinal disc fracture. Which affected her mobility, thus forced her to resign from work. Difficult months followed where she can’t even stand up without help. She underwent operation and was on a cast for almost six months while seeking therapy. Her accident left her knee deformed and now walks with a cane.

The disability made a negative impact in her life. During her dark days, she struggled to relate her art to people close to her. It seemed like she was in a jungle in which psychiatrists were hunting for wolves and snakes. But she never gave up her art. She fought her biggest enemy, none other than herself.

“I made my art as my refuged. Wherein I definitely see my digital works and paintings as my means of communication. Social media became my channel of expression. I am a conceptual futurist, a term I used because it offers a hint of the scope of my abilities,” said Rica.

**A Selection of Rica Barba’s Cyborg Futuristic Art***

(Click the thumbnails below to enlarge the artwork, and then swipe or use the arrows to scroll)

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE DRAPETOMANIA

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE GYNOID

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE DROIDEKA

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE PERSOCOM

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE BIOFEEDBACK

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE CYBERNETIC ORGANISM

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE SEXAROID

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE PSEUDORETROCYBORG

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE TECHNO-FAIRIE

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE CRITICAL LEVEL

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE AUTONOMOUS CYBORGS

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE ILLUSORY TRANCE

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE G2G CYBORGS

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE BIOLOID

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE AUTOMATA

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE RETROFUTURISTIC BORGZ

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE RICABOTZ

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE FUGITOID

ARTIST© Rica Barba 2015 TITLE ABDUCTED

Images supplied by the artist.