Mexican-British special effects designer and photographer Rubén Gerardo Alfaro Moreno will be the next creative artist at Helsinglight AAiR - Alternative Artist in Residence, 22- 30th November 2019.
Rubén Gerardo Alfaro Moreno is a Mexican-British special effects designer and photographer born in Zamora, México who lives in London, UK. Rubén applied to be part of Helsinglight AAiR - Alternative Artist in Residence and wrote in his application why he would like to experience our creative residency:
“This would be a great opportunity to connect with people with similar interests and at the same time learn about other cultures while creating work based on the surroundings. I’m a Mexican artist but feel very connected with the Scandinavian culture, my artist name itself “Myrkky” comes from the Finnish language.
I think it would be a unique experience to create something unique at Helsinglight.
The project I’d like to do while at Helsinglight is a series of photographs based on Scandinavian folklore, fantasy and horror. The project will make use of photography and special effects to create the images.
Scandinavia has a large number of legends and myths to work with and what’s better than using your surroundings to add to the uniqueness and eeriness of the project.”
Rubén will be accompanied by his sister Laura and his friend Mónica, both from Zamora, México. Laura is an Industrial Designer with an interest in FX Makeup and she has done workshops on face casting and mask making before. Mónica works in International Marketing, she hasn't done anything related to this industry before but she's very passionate about Rúbens work. Both Laura and Mónica are super excited to join Rubén at Helsinglight AAiR to assist him with his project.
We welcome the three of you to Helsinglight AAiR and we hope you will have a bloody awesome creative stay with us ;)
Rubén Gerardo Alfaro Moreno - Biography
Rubén Gerardo Alfaro Moreno is a Mexican-British special effects designer and photographer born in Zamora, México. He relocated to London in 2000 to study Special Effects Design at London Southbank University. After graduating, Rubén began his film career focusing on special effects make-up, lighting and set dressing in several films. He then moved to the post-production side of the film industry until today where he works as a 3D Stereographer for 3D features comprising over 140 completed titles to date.
While pursuing a career in film, Rubén discovered a passion for photography. In 2005, he created “MYRKKY PHOTOGRAPHY & FX STUDIO”. As a huge fan of horror films, he decided to combine his experience in special effects, lighting, set dressing, and photography, and started creating horror photography.
Since then, Rubén’s work has been displayed extensively in both solo and group exhibitions alongside artists like Marilyn Manson and HR Giger around USA, México & UK. In 2017, he published his first horror photography book titled, “RED”, followed by his second book, “MYRKKY 1”, published in 2019. As part of his horror photography and special effects career, Rubén has been coaching up-and-coming photographers and coordinating horror workshops in London, Guadalajara & New York since 2018.
Rubén Gerardo Alfaro Moreno - Artist Statement
As a self-taught photographer, I never expected that something so niche, like horror photography, would be such a big part of my career in special effects. Creating horror photography has pushed more than anything else to get out of my comfort zone. I always try to place myself in the picture when I’m planning a horror scene, sometimes it can be emotionally draining as I work with some hard to discuss topics like, life, death, suicide & murder.
Of course, there’s always the fun part of working in shoots involving the creation of monsters, zombies, vampires, etc. My photography can be quite shocking, and it’s aimed to provoke and disturb the viewers emotions. All my work has a very cinematic look which makes my horror photography very unique. Over the years I have been able to not just take a simple photo, but create something stunning with the use of theatrical lighting, special effects makeup, pyrotechnics and set design, that will make you look twice.
FOLLOW RUBÉN GERARDO ALFARO MORENO ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Instagram: @myrkky_horror_photography
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Myrkky.photography/
LinkedIn profile: Rubén Gerardo Alfaro Moreno
Website: http://myrkky.com
Would you like to try Helsinglight AAiR - Alternative Artist in Residence out?
We have got a few more spots available to be part of our test group for Helsinglight AAiR - Alternative Artist in Residence. Read more about our project for AAiR and apply to be part of our test group!
We’re on the lookout for alternative creative /cultural workers in the genres of:
- Music
- Cosplay (costume/prop making)
- FX Art (FX Makeup, Masks, Animatronics etc)
- Podcasters
- Writers
- Researchers
- Illustration
- Influencers
- Videographer
- Sculptors
- Tattoo Artist
For questions - email petra@helsinglight.com
HELSINGLIGHT AAiR - ALTERNATIVE ARTIST IN RESIDENCE IS SUPPORTED BY KULTURBRYGGAN
*Kulturbryggan (Kulturbryggan is an alternative financier which, by allocating grants to projects, will promote renewal and development in the cultural area throughout the country)
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