For the third of three collaborative exchanges with Bushwick-based ¡Oye! Group, we are joined by ¡Oye! Resident Artist WAMOO, who is currently developing a multimedia musical called Tranquilo.

WAMOO makes music and visual virtual experiences and is constructing a story for Tranquilo based on his experience as a Dominican immigrant to the United States. In a tale threaded through with the graphics and sounds of vintage video games, he recounts his struggle to fit in, not just because of the language barrier, but because he did not fit the mold of other Dominican kids in America.

While his art has historically been limited to a digital medium, usually seen from a computer or phone screen, his work at NACL is an attempt “to have my art take up real space” and be in relation with a live audience. He will be working on a narrative for actors who will engage with a mixture of his projections, music, and set design elements.

WAMOO (AKA Juan Alvarez) Is a Dominican-American video artist. His approach to music is akin to collage making. He has an omnivorous set of influences, including southern hip hop, shoegazing, and commercial jingles. His visual style is a futuristic and transnational version of pop art, taking influences from all regions of the world.

This residency is supported, in part, through a grant from the Network of Ensemble Theatres' Travel & Exchange Network (NET/TEN), supported by lead funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. It is made possible in part with funding from a Sullivan County Arts & Heritage Grant, funded by the Sullivan County Legislature and administered by Delaware Valley Arts Alliance.