Interview with Angelo Giuriato

Angelo Giuriato is a multimedia artist from Denver, CO whose work plays with the aesthetics of drag culture in otherworldly — and underworldly — settings. His forays in 3-D digital art have gained him recognition, most recently as the art director of the music video “Popstyle” by Denver artist Machu Linea.

Read his full interview below by clicking "read more" and follow Angelo on Instagram and check out his website.

1. Elevator pitch?
I’m Angelo. I create art experiences in extended reality, or XR. Within my art you can find big lips, hips, body modifications, water scenes and spheres. I try to include diversity and inclusion in the core of each piece. I welcome everyone and all, I dream of a future where more people understand the differences of each other.
2. What is your favorite piece you’ve created to-date?
Here’s “Rebecca” an intergalactic supermodel from outer space. I created them with my iPad and my Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality headset, digitally painted to brought it to life.

3. Where do you draw inspiration from?
Drag queens, plastic surgery, Miraj’s of salvation in the desert, skin tones and textures. I’m heavily inspired by my LGBTQIA+ brothers, sisters and everyone in between. I was recently hired to create a music video for a local music producer in my current city of Denver. I was asked to create chaotic, sexy experience off their album “Hexotica” for the song “Popstyle.” I was specifically asked to create a bathhouse which was so exciting to create because I’ve never even been to one. I animated, directed, and edited music video in January. I created the entire set design, character design, story, animations and virtual camera movements. Again, using my VR headset, I entered the world I created…with my eyes and was able to control my character in the first person. I basically created a video game. The video launched on February 11.

Here are stills of the characters and a behind the scenes picture of the set/virtual camera work.

4. What’s your process like - start to finish - in ten words?
Headset, upload, click, drag, cameras, animate, bake, inhale, render, wait.
5. What is your favorite compliment given to you about your work?
That someone loves it. It’s cool feeling creating art that I enjoy for myself, and to learn others enjoy it adds to the drive to keep learning.
6. What is your least favorite animal?
I love all animals!
7. What do you want on your gravestone?
I’ve never thought about this, I feel like I’ll die in the “future” and gravestones won’t exist anymore. But just in case: Angelo was full of life, love, and never stayed hungry.
8. What top three things keep you up at night?
The future for our future kids.
9. You’ve been placed under witness protection program, but you get to make up your new
identity. What’s your new name, occupation, and hobby?
Marcus Jones. Sales manager of year-round Christmas store, watches trash TV for fun and plays pool by the pool.
10. What’s your least favorite color?
The only way to create color is by using color; I don’t have a least favorite.
11. Congratulations, you just adopted a tortoise! What are you going to name it?
Turdette or Turd; depends on their face.