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Peter Gregorio

Peter Gregorio

American Artist, Curator, Writer, Founder/Director of Vector Productions Inc. Born: 1967 (Brooklyn, NY,USA) Style: Post-modern, contemporary Alma Mater: The School of Visual Arts (NY,NY)

Peter Gregorio (b. January 29th, 1967 New York, USA) is a New York based Artist, Curator, and Writer. He is the founder and director of Vector Productions Inc. (2007), which publishes the international Artist Zine, Vector. (For more information about Vector, see Vector Productions ). Gregorio has exhibited both nationally and internationally in solo and group shows. Deriving inspiration from theoretical physics, His art is known for featuring existential, sometimes nihilistic post-apocalyptic themes.

Educational Background

Gregorio began his studies under the guidance of Mike Skop (Studio 70), a student of Ivan Mestrovic, who was a student of Augusto Rodin. Following the French atelier system of training, Studio 70 was inspired by Rodin’s studio. After, in 2004, Peter graduated Summa Cum Laude with his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst - Commonwealth College Honors Program. In 2007, he received his Master of Fine Arts from The School of Visual Arts, in New York City.

Curatorial Work

Peter has curated exhibitions in Europe, the United States, and Canada. His most recent curatorial projects incude:

Vector 8 New York (2018) Whitney Museum of American Art, New York

The Vector 8 launch comprised of 25 artists from New York. The event was at the Whitney Museum and included performances from contributing artists: Nobutaka Aozaki, Jesus Benavente, Caitlin Berrigan, Amy Khoshbin, Julianne Swartz, Leslie Thornton and collaborators: Mel-anie Crean / Shaun Leonardo / Sable Elyse Smith . Link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utiMfd9nwVI

The Big Sleep / Munich Biennial at the Haus Der Kunst, Munich

Peter was the curator of the American portion of the Munich Biennial, where he brought 8 American Artists’ work to be included. The American artists were: Miya Ando, Kyung- Lim Lee, Paul Mc Carthy, Marilyn Minter, Laurie Palmer, Tschabalala Self, Leslie Thornton, and James Turrell.See here

Link to the project: http://kuenstlerverbund.org/press-big-sleep.html

Honors and Awards

At UMass Commonwealth College, he was awarded an Honors Research Grant (2003). He was the recipient of the UMass Arts Council Grant (2004). Gregorio went on to win the Honor’s Dean’s Award, as well as an award for his respective department (Art and Art History).

Peter has been the recipient of other prestigious scholarships, fellowships, grants, and sponsorships, such as The Joan Mitchell Foundation MFA Grant. He was awarded a Fiscal Scholarship from the International Studio and Curatorial Program (ISCP) from 2011-2015.

Some other awards and honors include: the National Endowment For The Arts, Grant, (2010), the Joan Mitchell Foundation, Award, (2007), Donald and Barrie Selesko Foundation Fellowship, (2008-2015),'La Lutta New Media, Fiscal Sponsorship, (2007-2010), Alex Weinstein Foundation Fellowship, (2007). SVA Paula Rhodes, Award, (2007), and the Massachusetts Cultural Council Grant,( 2003 & 2005).

Lectures

Gregorio has lectured across the nation and around the world. A dedicated alum of SVA, Peter was a visiting lecturer and critic at the Fine Arts Department in 2008, 2010, and 2011. He's lectured for the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP), Salon Lecture Series. For a number of years, (2011-2013) until most recently in 2016, he was a visiting Artist at the Parsons School of Design Architectural Department, as well as Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.

Some other notable institutions include: Cooper Union, University of Connecticut, and Nassau Community College. In Berlin, he spoke in 2011 at the Schaufenster Project Space, as well as at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich.

In 2014, he lectured in Oslo, Norway with "///differential_decay///A_discussion_on_multi-verse_theory, LYNX 760"

Described as a “fictionalized Ted Talk,” Peter created the Parallel Universe Performance Series. Part performance and lecture, the series focused on current cosmological concepts.

Press and Publications

Peter Gregorio has been featured in national and international interviews, such as for the “New York Visual Arts Journal “ (2015), and “ Station to Station “ (2014). He was featured in Christian Werner's “ Focus On The Project, Dürr Challenge 2014: New York “ (2014). He has been written about in The New York Times, Art in Asia, Westport News, Installation Magazine, NY The Examiner, and Queens Chronicle, respectively. Donaukurier of Germany calls Gregorio "legendary.". Other German publications include Art-In, which focuses on local German art.

Art/Mentors/ Influences

Peter has cited several authors and artists, as well as personal mentors, to have influenced his work. Some of the most notable include:

• Joseph Campbell (“The Power of Myth “)[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell]

• Garry Meyers [1]

• Jerry Saltz[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Saltz]

• Lama Pema, Tibetan Buddhist[ https://www.vikramasila.org/teachers]

• Herman Hesse ( “Siddhartha “)[ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermann_Hesse]

• Max Tegmark’s Our Mathematical Universe [ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Tegmark)]

• Mike Skop’s use of philosophy as a way to understand and make art. [2]

Background

Early Life and Discovering Art

The son of an architect, John Gregorio, and psychiatric nurse Judith Tarail, he is the youngest of 5 siblings. The family lived in a house on the Ocean next to the lighthouse in Seagate Brooklyn.

As a teenager, Gregorio and his family moved from New York to the quiet New England town of Westport, Connecticut. Gregorio struggled with a “deep existential crisis” during these years that culminated in self-harm and abuse of mind altering- substances. With the help of Garry Meyers, a dedicated and insightful Counselor and Educator, Gregorio turned his life around, enrolling in several art classes at Staples High School, where he graduated in 1985.

It was there at Staples that he met another one of his very first mentors, Jim Wheeler. An art teacher, his class inspired self-actualization and realization for Gregorio. The free and experimental style of the class seemed to be a good fit for Peter, as he described himself as “aware of the visual world around him,” and “not desiring a conventional life.” During this time, a close friend of his was to attend art school in Kentucky, and Gregorio decided to follow.

A Calling

In Northern Kentucky, on the Cincinnati border, Gregorio met one of his greatest mentors. Mike Scope, of Studio 70, took him on as a student. It was there at Studio 70 that he realized art was his calling, and even more so, a sort of spiritual / philosophical quest. Learning art and feeling in tune with his calling, he began to read Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse. Over time, his existential doubts were quelled by his newfound phenomenological, artistic journey- a journey that would continue on to India.

Journey to India

Enamored by his studies, Gregorio searched for a way to embark on a spiritual pursuit. He found inspiration in California Governor Jerry Brown’s work with Mother Theresa of Calcutta, India. After corresponding with Governor Brown, Gregorio, along with two of his close friends, set off to India to volunteer.

It was there in Calcutta that Peter met Mother Theresa herself. He describes her as a strong leader, and spoke with elation and awe of how she blessed him and his comrades. Though his quest in India eventually diverged, Gregorio would merge back into his quest, under the guidance of Tibetan Lama Khempo Pema Wangdak, Director of the Vikramasila Foundation in New York.

Returning to India with Lama Pema’s words in mind, Peter lived in a Monastery, even meditating under the iconic Bodhi Tree. Gregorio has stated that his time in India profoundly changed him. One can see much of this influence in his early paintings, the architecture reminiscent of a Buddhist temple, as well as fractals that appear to be in meditative forms.

Gregorio began wearing all black, inspired by Tibetan Monks and Albert Einstein's focus on simplicity, in order to focus on the philosophical.

Art Career

The Brassworks

After returning from India, Gregorio spent a brief time in Philadelphia, studying at the University of Pennsylvania. Enlightened and( lightly) seasoned, as well as keeping a studio in a ballet theatre, Gregorio was commissioned to do three 15x8 paintings, which he called “Opera House.”

Peter married his long-time girlfriend, and shortly after, had a son, Dimitri. Torn between a suburban lifestyle, of which he knew he could never fully belong, and his identity as an artist, Gregorio’s marriage ended. After, Gregorio moved to The Brassworks in Northampton Massachusetts, a studio located in an old converted mill made of brick, nestled along a river. At this time, he constructed canvas stretchers and began painting. He cites this as being the time he became serious about art.

“I call it my hermit phase, because I was pretty much devoted to turning inwards to learning and creating. Nothing else. I didn’t show my work... I didn’t have my first show until I was 35 and already had a body of work.”

Temporal Landscapes

Gregorio, after diligently making a body of work, had his first solo show at Real Art Ways in Hartford, Connecticut. Inspired by the Buddhist temples, one can see the meaning each moment held, through architecture that practically leaves the canvas. The work was an embodiment of his philosophical and artistic studies. In fact, Gregorio himself has described it as a “diary in the form of a painting,” as well as one of his defining artworks.

Now having a body of work, and his first solo show under his belt, Peter applied to graduate school and was accepted into the School of Visual Arts in New York. Shortly after his acceptance, Gregorio left his home at The Brassworks to live and study in New York City.

Peter settled in, living and working in his New York city studio.

Residencies

’Peter has completed residencies both nationally and internationally. In Brooklyn, he was an International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) resident. In Munich, Germany, the Ebenböckhaus program. He was a participant in the Kunstlaboratorium residency, in Vestfossen. Norway. After, he found a home in New York City’s Chashama Studio Award Program.

Art Mediums and Themes

Gregorio uses various mediums, including printings, videos, photography, installations, and live performances. His work can be described as a “medium to understanding scientific concepts”, as well as an “interface to ponder nature, mathematics, and cosmology.” A common theme of his work involves combining familiar backgrounds with new landscapes- a sort of marriage of science and art hybrid. He aims to use art as an interface to explore philosophical and metaphorical concepts of reality- the void between what we know and what remains to be seen. Inspired heavily by the book “Our Mathematical Universe,” by Max Tegmark, Peter uses his work to metaphorically construct a world entirely made of math- encouraging us to marvel at the ironically chaotic nature of our reality.

Gregorio is also known for his unique style of handwriting, which includes uppercase characters.

Divided by Zero / Art Gate Gallery, New York / 2011

Much of his work, such as “Divided by Zero,” (2011) uses architectural fractals to evoke questions and discussions of reality, perception, and how these two concepts intersect. Each series of work is different and explores a different idea, and evolves over time, even though they’re not related. However, a repeating theme of having the individual be the object of the art, while the art is the subject, is aimed to be a catalyst for introspection of existential concepts.

Number “11” is a notable inspiration, Gregorio stating:

“I’ve seen it a lot- since I was a kid. Every time I walked into a room, it would be 11:11. Over time it just kind of evolved into his own thing.”

Studio

True to his blend of philosophical and artistic learnings, Gregorio has described the art process as spiritual, and even a form of meditation. As he creates the art, he becomes transfixed and contemplative. From there, his art is an interface to pondering the greater questions and mysteries of life and the Universe. He brings his work to life, so those who take in his paintings can reach a similar state. His ongoing introspection of his own journey, born from a sense of social responsibility, is evident in his selection of relevant themes, not so far from the eye of the mind. Gregorio uses imagery from his very own studio space- using images from his very own art studio in several of his works.

Peter uses varied materials for his art work, specifically: linen, canvas, acrylic paints, oil paint, digital photos ( in a sequence of 500), as well as videos in which he can derive stills. Much, if not all of his work, is derived from some sort of research from his conversations with physicists and artists alike.

His Defining Works

In addition to “Temporal Landscapes,” as described above, Peter describes these two other seminal works as career defining

Binary Opposition (84x84) / E.Tay Gallery, New York / 2017

Featuring all binary code of 0 and 1, in an encoded pattern, Gregorio blends the discipline of computer science and visual art- explaining that “A code works, but it’s also visual- existing in both dimensions.” In this, he uses canvas with acrylic paint.

Simulation Hypothesis / Alta Akademie, Munich (2016 - Still in Progress)

Inspired by Nick Bostrom’s Simulation Theory, the project consists of a black and white film (120min) and series of film poster photographs. In the film the viewer looks at the various surroundings of the city of Munich - mimicking a first person point of view as in a video game. Gregorio plans to continue the project filming variations in 11 cities around the world.

Other Notable Works of Art

Super Intelligent Entity Anomaly (6x24 feet) / Haus Der Kunst (2019)

Featured in The Big Sleep of the Munich Biennale, at the Haus Der Kunst in Germany, Gregorio comtemplates the merging of artificial intelligence and consciousness in such a way that one might wonder if they are observing the fragmented thoughts of a human being. This work is an HD video (22 minutes) on a 9x33ft crumbled photo backdrop. Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbW-qumT_9Y

The Singularity is Near (S.I.N., 2010)

In this video, Gregorio uses individual and universal point of views to emphasize the singularity concept- a theory that one day, artificial intelligence and human sentience will merge into one. A 30 foot projection, one can see the shadowy image of a humanoid figure, spraying graffiti on a backdrop of compelling imagery. The unknown variables of the projection are geared to create thought and subsequent insight about the nature of reality and our place in it.

Extinction/Revolution (Repetti Gallery, Queens, New York, 2008)

Photographed architecture, with videos, , that imagery to compose photographs, paintings, drawings and video works. He remixes his surroundings. This exhibition includes a collage of photographs in black and white, , black and white paintings with three videos beneath, depicting arrows. The arrow itself is painted on the floor, as though it is an unofficial guide to the viewer through the various “zones.” Also featured is a red and white painting, which is an interesting contrast to the black and white theme.

11:11/2016/ (Etay Gallery)

Alluding to his connection with 11:11, and the cosmic, this solo show features a compilation of prints, paintings, and installations, focusing on cosmological concepts, eliciting conversations about the fabric of the universe

Vector Productions Inc.

In 2007, Peter founded the brand Vector Productions, Inc. Vector was created with one mission in mind: to spread the ideas and works of visual artists from all around the world. Currently in the form of an artist’s journal, performances, and sound, as well as an upcoming podcast series. Vector has toured the world and has been featured in prominent events. Later, Javier Barrios joined Vector, and has been a co-founder since Vector Issue 3.

Most recently: In 2018, Vector launched a live performance event at the prestigious Whitney Museum of American art, in honor of Vector 8. Later, in 2019, Vector took on the Kunstverein Munich to launch Vector 9.

In 2021, Vector will be featured at the Istanbul Biennial. After, Mexico City.