URCAD Sneak Peek: Marelen Acevedo Soto

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 22:27:31 -0400

UMBC- Are you ready to dance????

VJ-ing in the Ballroom from 2-2:30pm on April 16th at URCAD, Marelen Soto has created an interactive multidimensional mural that will make you move, think, and feel. Come experience this live performance and move your body in any way it wants to go!

Multi-Dimensional Mural: A Live Performance of Art, Sound, and Movement

Presenters: Marelen Soto, David Cobb Jr , Maria Fernanda Diaz Miranda, Justine Gaylord
Mentor: Corrie Parks, Visual Arts

Abstract

As a fine artist and muralist, I’ve often observed that despite the initial awe and admiration my completed works evoke, those feelings tend to fade from people’s memories quickly. This project aims to elevate static artwork into a dynamic performance that resonates deeply with viewers. By integrating music, movement, and visual art, I hope to foster a shared experience that becomes ingrained in collective memory, enriching our understanding of humanity’s creative expression.

Coming from the Dominican Republic and living in America has shaped my perspective as an Afro-Latina not only through music and art but also socially, politically, culturally, and ethically. This artwork represents not only my own identity but also the world around me. It reflects the ongoing struggles both internal (personal) and external (environmental) that affect my body, mind, and spirit. The selected music serves as an empowering force, connecting me to my roots and driving the emotional rhythm of the performance. My wish is for my art to bring joy and empowerment to communities. A distinctive feature of this work is the live performance, where each piece of animation will be synchronized with the rhythm of the music, creating an interactive, immersive experience.

2-2:30pm, UC Ballroom

This work was funded, in part, through an Undergraduate Research Award from the UMBC Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.