Over The Counter Sedatives
Video, 2023
About the artwork
As we confront the shadowy depths of our collective subconscious, the convergence of AI and the Uncanny Valley lays bare the intricacies of our fears.
As individuals, I firmly believe that our inherent limitations prevent us from ever attaining a complete understanding of ourselves, our place within our present society, or our role in the broader scope of history. It is a perpetual quest for knowledge and growth that we must embark upon. In line with this pursuit, my aspiration is to create works that possess both recognizable attributes and an enigmatic, concealed nature—an intricately hidden realm within an existing realm, akin to a valley within a valley. This creative endeavor serves as a message intended for civilizations far removed in time, extending across ages yet to come. While I, personally, lack the capacity to decipher its meaning, I hold an optimistic expectation that a future race of profoundly advanced, cybernetic and genetically evolved humans will possess the innate ability to swiftly unravel its depths.
Moreover, I hope that this message will present a perspective and insight far beyond my own comprehension. I understand that my ideas may reflect an idealistic sentiment, meanwhile, my current approach embraces novelty, spontaneity, and experimentation. My immediate aspiration for the work is to ignite curiosity and fascination regarding the potential of artificial intelligence, allowing viewers to interpret and expand upon it in diverse and personalized ways—an “open-source” approach where its application becomes whatever each individual deems suitable.
Frank Manzano, based in Chicago, is an artist focusing on abstract and conceptual digital compositions, with formal training in film and photography from Columbia College. His work delves into the exploration of shared societal symbols and aims to unravel the individual connections people forge with these symbols.
Manzano embraces the idea that moments of revelation can arise from idleness and boredom, a belief he consistently incorporates into his creative process. His artistic ambition centers around deciphering the symbols that define our culture, using contemporary digital mediums to articulate these foundational emblems. Through his artwork, Frank Manzano seeks to inspire viewers to embark on introspective journeys, encouraging them to scrutinize their personal relationships with the symbols that shape their existence.