“THE DISRUPTION 07: TILES”

DIOGO MACHADO AKA ADD FUEL

Tiles as Add Fuel’s source of inspiration

The title of the project Disruption reflects the creative manner of Add Fuel – his neo-frescoes feature new interpretations of the traditional tile design language. The Disruption 07: Tiles was inspired by the main visual elements of Klaipėda tiles: a monochromatic bas-relief and a naturalistic theme. The image of the project is reminiscent of tile elements as if emerging from the wall, consisting of differently painted surfaces with two predominant tile colour combinations – brown terracotta and natural green. The work has a predominant “zoom” effect – the classic architectonic elements of nature and mythology on tiles are interpreted by Add Fuel into a three-dimensional image.

Add Fuel is Portuguese visual artist and illustrator Diogo Machado (born 1980). After completing his studies in graphic design at the Institute of Visual Arts, Design, and Management in Lisbon, he spent several years working in design studios in Portugal, followed by a traineeship in Munich, Germany. Since 2007, the artist has concentrated exclusively on creative work. Nicknamed Add Fuel to the Fire, he created a dark and visually rich universe filled with playful, slimy eccentric creatures. The artist was engaged in a broad field of activities, ranging from video games, comics, animation, low budget movies, and toys to street art.

Fascinated by the aesthetic opportunities of symmetrical modeling and mosaic making, in 2008, he shortened his nickname and began to focus on a new interpretation of the traditional tile design language, more specifically, on the Portuguese azulejo, painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework. By combining these two seemingly incompatible visual idioms with ease, the artist currently aims to blend traditional decorative elements with a contemporary visual context, thus creating new forms that reveal impressive complexity and masterful attention to detail. Large-format works featuring tiles may, at first glance, seem like a simple stylization of classical art, but a closer look reveals original motifs and a world of characters conveyed with irony and humor. The artist as if plays with the observer of the work and offers them multiple possibilities of interpretation. The multi-layered and visual illusion of the author’s works, resulting from symmetrical repetitions, creates an impression of balance and harmony. Using a variety of creative techniques, including drawing, painting, pottery processing, and manual and digital printing, the artist creates a sophisticated dialogue between the old and the new, between the heritage and modernity.

Diogo Machado lives and works in Cascais, Portugal. He creates public art not both in his homeland and in foreign countries. The artist has presented his work in solo and group exhibitions in the most famous galleries in Portugal, UK, Norway, USA, Germany, Switzerland, etc. and participated in the most famous urban art events: Nuart Festival, Public, Sacramento Mural Fest, Forgotten Project, Djerbahood, Tour Paris, and more.

The creative work of Diogo Machado aka Add Fuel is curated by Mistaker Maker, a Lisbon artistic intervention platform. This platform promotes the development of contemporary art projects and artistic activities by integrating different audiences as well as initiates the creation of artistic products of social, cultural, tourism, and economic value nationally and internationally. Mistaker Maker provides consulting, mentoring, and creative services, seeks collaboration across various sectors, institutions, and actors, and creates networks between artists, cultural figures, and exhibition spaces and venues. The results of this collaboration include public art events, exhibitions, art residencies, workshops, branding campaigns, and other activities.