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Kenzie Housego, Artist – Calgary

Kenzie Housego, a multidisciplinary artist, recently completed a Master of Fine Art specializing in new media at the University of Calgary, Mohkinstsis, in Treaty 7 region, southern Alberta. Her practice incorporates various mediums such as fibre, embroidery, new media, and assemblage. Utilizing technologies like LEDs, Arduino micro-controllers, texting, and screens, her work symbolically represents our participation in virtual realms, including social media, online personas, dating, and branding. Housego’s artwork aims to engage viewers, inviting interactivity and encouraging them to actively co-produce meaning through their interaction with digital media. Her current exhibition, I❤️U, curated by Linsey Sharman at the Art Gallery of Alberta, explores contemporary courtship, romance, technology, and historical signs related to dating and romance.

  1. Bold earrings

Since Covid lockdowns, like many others, I’ve embraced comfortable clothing and minimal makeup. However, I still enjoy wearing bold earrings, especially for zoom calls and art events. My collection includes statement pieces created by talented artists and designers. I recently wore a gold emoji pair to the opening of I❤️U at the AGA, crafted by Fool’s Gold.

  1. LEDs

Kenzie Housego, Primary Data: The Language of Red, Yellow, and Blue Roses, 2021, embroidery, LEDs, Arduino micro-controller, textiles, 2021 (photo: Hesam Rezaei)

They come in all shapes imaginable! My favorite LEDs are Adafruit‘s Neo-pixels – ideal for artists and makers with top-notch quality, user-friendly interfaces, and extensive community support.

  1. Al’s finger-painting artwork

I’m obsessed with my 18-month-old son’s paintings. Balancing parenthood and being an artist has been interesting, and these images truly brighten my day.

  1. Semiotics

Semiotics has always been integral to my art practice, and Marcel Danesi‘s books, such as The Semiotics of the Emoji (2016) and The Semiotics of Love (2019), have been incredibly informative in shaping my understanding of this subject.

  1. The Maker community

(photo: Kelly Hofer)

I discovered the digital embroidery machine as a tool for creating art at a Makerspace. Communities and spaces like these are nurturing countless fascinating and innovative projects and individuals. I highly recommend checking out a Makerspace in your city. I promise you won’t regret it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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