Joan Raspo

I am a California-based multimedia artist who is obsessed by illusion. I strive to “trick” the viewer’s eye to see reality through the lens of magic. I believe art is an opportunity for discourse and engagement—I want you to talk about my work and talk to it. My multi-faceted art practice is crafted to build drama and tension that invites interaction with you. The goal of my practice is to include the viewer—all my work tells a story that is only complete when you engage with it.
I work in a variety of cross-disciplinary practices including painting, design, digital media, sculpture and creative coding. My intention is to create work where art and science combine and are expressed artistically. Through visceral explorations of perception, sensation, and attention, I explore issues and questions around identity, form, ritual, and pop culture—come ride with me.

MFA Digital Arts and New Media, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA

BFA Graphic Design, California College of Art, San Francisco, CA

BFA English Literature & Art History, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA

2017 ASK.METM, Maker Faire, San Mateo, CA

2016 EVIDENCE, FAUST, Santa Cruz, CA

2016 If This, Then What?, ODETTA, Bushwick, NY

2016 ASK.METM, Creative Tech Week, New York, NY

2015 Hell and Back, 30 Covers 30 Days, San Francisco, CA

2014 Birth of Stars, X Theater, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA

2014 River, Augmented reality collaboration with Shannon Novak, Bloom Festival, Santa Cruz, CA

2014 Olympic Games, Open Studios, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA

2014 Code War, Spring Arts Gala, UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA

2013 Buried in the Sky, Open Studios, Santa Cruz, CA

2001 Young Guns, Art Directors Club, New York, NY

2000 ResFest Digital Film Festival: Audience Award, New York, NY

2000 American Shorts Film Festival, Tokyo, Japan

2000 Ottawa Film Festival: Audience Award, Ottawa, Canada