Who
Lorenzo Hurtado Segovia; mediums include painting, beadwork, embroidery, weaving, paper and carpentry; Full Professor of Illustration in the Communication Arts department at OTIS; born in Júarez, México; currently based in Los Angeles, California; Measured collaborator since 2020.
Lorenzo Hurtado Segovia
Our Collaboration
The challenge: transform the standard hoarding of a 33’x120′ construction site into a public art piece that was both visually striking and could resist the elements.
The solution: Lorenzo was introduced to Measured via our clients, and it was clear from day one that the goals and expectations of all parties were in alignment. While Lorenzo’s typical sculptural materials weren’t suited to Vancouver’s wet climate, Clinton’s knowledge of materials provided the reassurance to experiment and innovate. The decision was made to create a piece for the outdoors that over the course of time would react to the elements, before being moved inside after the construction completed (inspired by Marcel Duchamps’ “The Large Glass”).
Lorenzo began researching and testing different materials, ultimately landing on polyester straps (typically used in outdoor sports equipment), used for its durability and weather resistance. The process took some time for retooling and adjustments, but once we got a working method and were able to come up with outcomes that were approved, the concept moved forward to preparation and installation.
The material showed the flexibility to wrap around corners and drape, offering hanging potential which is much more dynamic then standard materials (such as paper). Stitching was initially done with a wax thread that is typically used for repairing sails. Lorenzo accounted for Vancouver’s ‘moody’ weather, using marine-grade thread with heavy-duty grommets used for jeans. Along the perimeter there is riveting, interesting when project like this come, cast wide net and possibilities combine and get interesting results.
Ultimately, three of Lorenzo’s four works were installed on site. Placed high up on the second story framing, the works bring colour and contrast to the project, visible to all onlookers enjoying the neighbouring Douglas Park.
Upcoming Works
Lorenzo is halfway through a public art project for the LA County, the scope of which is a 20′ x 30′ exterior wall mural. The piece is at a restorative care village, an integral part of a new hospital campus with four villages providing a safe space to fully recover once patients are discharged from hospital.
In order to make the project last (the County required a guarantee of 25 years) Lorenzo settled on ceramic tile as a medium. The process calls on a combination of hand drawing and digital manipulation to upload the art to the tiles, after which they will be fired and installed. Lorenzo’s excited about the opportunity to combine traditional Mexican ceramic history with digital tools, and looks forward to continuing to explore combining traditional, historic processes with modern technology. incredible.
Why the collaboration works
Clinton’s knowledge of architecture, paired with design and art, was a great way to connect and communicate, and it was fun! Typically the materials used wouldn’t endure well in the outdoors, but Clinton’s knowledge of material were reassuring, and we made it a Duchampian moment, where whatever happens to the materials happens. I appreciated the collaboration because it challenged me beyond my norm but still gave me the freedom to experiment.”
Lorenzo Hurtado Segovia
It’s always a privilege to be granted the latitude to incorporate an artist within the design of any of our projects. With Lorenzo, we were given the unique opportunity to work with an established, international artist in a manner that takes ubiquitous, low-brow construction hoarding and creates an outcome that is a preface of the project to come, ultimately reimagining the site hoarding with the goal of landing it as a tapestry within the final house.”Clinton Cuddington
Collaborations
Weaving 2: Peregrina (Sojourner)