What is the best thing that I love about my work? The variety of experiences I have as an artist where everything becomes valuable and life changing. I would say that the possibility of traveling worldwide, speaking to different audiences, and making a change on them, as well as knowing myself better through the work and mind shifts on it. Being a multidisciplinary artist gives me the freedom of playing more than one role without putting myself on a unique expectation box.

What is my idea of happiness? What is my greatest fear? Happiness is a temporary state, in the past I would have mentioned some goals I have already achieved but that aren´t the full meaning of happiness. Nowadays, I would prioritize being present. My idea of happiness is more related to having the power and freedom to choose, what to do with your time, the course of your work, who you love as well as your inner friendship circle. My greatest fear is pursuing something without enjoying the process of it, obsessing only with the result. In a more personal level, probably not expressing myself enough and having unsaid things.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? Being an overthinker because it takes you from embracing the process of whatever you´re going through. However, I have been working with it.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? I admire female artists who are bold and consistent on their statements, Marina Abramovic is an artist I have been following through and I really admire how she was the pioneer of an art genre that did not have that credibility back in the day. I also appreciate the fact that she never follows trends but really connects with basic principles of humanity, trust and vulnerability by using the control of the body and mind.

What is my greatest extravagance? Good food, long distance travel, and ballet classes

On what occasion would I lie? I try being very straightforward but sometimes I lie to myself for hacking my own mind

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? Constant unsettling and non-stability, however that is also a good challenging aspect that pushes artists to be in constant movement

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? Can´t limit it to only one but several moments that have been important breakthroughs in my career like making a TED talk on artificial intelligence in TEDx Boston, sharing ideas with some of the top MIT researchers. I also love my own exhibitions where I show the newest work and interact with the public in various ways.

If I could, what would I change about myself? Sometimes I wish I were more extrovert, however I also understand that everyone´s artist personality is different and we must not force it, as long as you are genuine and authentic to your work, message, and community.

What is my greatest achievement in work? Connecting the dots in all my interests. It has been a complex process, but it is somehow making more sense every day. Dance, painting, and technology tools/new media have given me the chance to find interesting bridges and appreciating different technical, conceptual, and sensory approaches to my way of thinking and the works´output.

Where would I most like to live? Strangely, I am not a big fan of the beach, I prefer calm, quiet places where I can paint, read, and have long walks.

What is my most treasured possession? Collection dolls and toys from my childhood that I use sometimes as references for still life practices

What is my most marked characteristic? It is hard to tell since I feel that I am changing all the time, but probably I would say stubbornness on what I want or envision even if it takes long.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? As part of my city I would definitely say that food plays a major role in Mexico. More than the location I believe that the whole historical narrative of food create an ambiance. I love Palacio de Bellas Artes´ architecture and whenever I see a performance there, I always get chills to see such an impressive scenery.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? My favorite place in Mexico City is called Tetetlan, it is a cultural space that preserves the essence of Mexican food mixing contemporary and ancestral flavours, I love mezcal and traditional corn tlayudas with fresh vegetables, spicy macha sauce, and chorizo.

What books influenced my life and how? It is hard to keep track because every significant book represents different stages of my life and how I have been growing into different directions. I love Walk through walls which is a stunning retrospective on Marina Abramovic, and art- science books. I love short stories as well, Ted Chiang for example. I love the fact that his stories depict high and accurate scientific research but also a lot of layers of humanity, which directly speak to me and the times we are living in, where human relationships have become more complex with the presence of technology and social media.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? I would probably listen to Queen, it always has the power of changing my mood.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Wonder woman, I see her as a balance between strength, wisdom, and creative energy

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? Fearless people who have taken a leap of faith against the odds and context, female artists such as Georgia O´Keefe, Paula Rego, Hilma Af Klint, as well as scientific based women who have changed a paradigm like Margaret Hamilton, the scientist whose code put a man in the moon

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? Cinema Paradiso, an old time classic for art and life lovers.

What role play stories in my life and work? Stories are the basics on human knowledge and learning. My work is mostly about the bodies´ stories which makes them more intimate and relatable to every individual. I am interested on how our body perception and mechanisms change with technology as well as the link with our inner world. Corporal ritual practices as personal narratives of intimacy and socialization are some of the topics I´ve explored in older work , now I am interested in hybridization, body perception, and impossibility expressed through painting and various mediums.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? I believe that the story we tell ourselves is very important and can lead you both to success and failure. I strongly believe that you have the power to decide what will be your narrative. We have the chance to choose our story by making small choices every day.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My close friends and family who are always there for supporting me in every decision and exploration I want to make either in my work or my personal life.

Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2024? I am always excited to collaborate with dance related projects such as international companies, dancewear, etc.,. I love working with technology companies and institutes where art and science meet for fresh angles on research and painting, digital fabrication,Machine Learning and the use of algorithms for understanding our body better.

What project, in 2024, am I looking forward to work on? I am working on the connection between body, machine learning tools as well as the conception of human body on dance imagery. As a dancer, we always work beyond our physical and mental limits which has been something part of my work during the last few years. The awareness of how our world is changing with all these new tools and technologies emerging makes me want continuously to explore them applied to what I already do; painting, ballet, digital fabrication and how to enhance our capabilities emphasizing the human side. I am a multidisciplinary artist who enjoys studio practice but also teaching and mentoring for exchanging ideas and having multidisciplinary teams/points of view.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? I believe that having a passion is something we all have as an initial curiosity/ motivation, but the real challenge is staying there even during the toughest times and if by any circumstances you need to leave it for a while, always return to it no matter your age or the experience you lost. It´s there for a reason and that´s what makes your inner self smile. It´s also being bold and taking risks on whatever you want, having confidence in yourself and the tools you already have and start scaling it step by step.

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story? Alivé Piliado, Kim Young Sun

How can you contact me? Visit my website with latest updates at
http://www.fernandaolivares.art
My Instagram is: @fern_olivares
My Tik Tok is: @fern_olivares
Linked in: http://www.linkedin.com/in/fernanda-olivares-g