W A S T E L A N D ddadda D A N I E L X I A O

S T A T E M E N T Mankind’s ongoing quest for perfection has presented us with an age of sterility and uniformity. The exponential proliferation of technology and industry is met with an equal amount of standardization. Computers, wheels, windows, produce, pencils, wires, television, weight, trees, news, sanitation, flooring, plumbing, energy expenditure, political policies, digital storage, music; all have been divided and categorized into their own miniscule subclasses, strict guidelines plainly laid out for each definition. Nothing goes unclassified. There is neither room nor time for peace of mind, for wonder or innovation, for the hindrances of waste; only progress, the perpetual task of assimilating and organizing everything in the universe; nothing can ever be new, and nothing will change. In terms of style, Daniel has always had an affinity for sharp angles, and repetitive, multitudinous patterns. Daniel’s Wasteland depicts the structured and standardized nature of our world today. Directional compositions, vibrant colors, and organic shapes are all sacrificed in favor of repetition and monotony. The few curves that are present insert the barest sense of life. Motion is restricted; most images are fixed, not fluid-like, unchanging. Bold, straight lines dominate a centered image. Boundaries are impeccably defined. Beautiful and bleak.

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G R A T E 2

H A L L

A R T I S T Daniel Xiao was born on Long Island, New York on February 17, He was exposed to visual arts and music at an early age, and they have remained important to him since. Currently, the development of his aesthetic sense and artistic ability rank among the highest priorities in his life. His influences range from the old masters of the 16th century to contemporary commercial artists. Though his preferred medium of artistic expression is acrylic paint, he is not limited to it and is not afraid to try new ones. His primary goal as a member of the Envision Digital/Fine Arts Conservatory is to broaden his experience with different mediums and develop his ability to create meaningful images. Daniel is also interested in exploring motion picture including film and animation. He has always loved the interplay between motion picture and music, both art forms that rely on the progression of time. His exposure to a broad variety of film provides an important source of material from which he can draw from when attempting to capture the instantaneity of motion in a still image.