Phoenix is brimming with creativity. And every other year, we put the spotlight on 100 of the city's creative forces. Leading up to the release of this year's Best of Phoenix issue, we're profiling 100 more. Welcome to the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives. Up today: 84. Angel Castro.
Halo Movement Collective deals mainly in dance. But the Phoenix-based troupe strives to present works that marry vision, power, advocacy, fashion, and dance.
Dancer and choreographer Angel Castro founded the group back in 2012. And much like his company's topics of interest, Castro's involvement in the local dance scene is varied. He studied dance at ASU and has danced with Scorpius, EPIK, Scandalesque, and CONDER/dance.
See also: Catrina Kahler of Phoenix's Coe House Gallery: 100 Creatives
Halo recently premièred Castro's original piece Grasp at ARTELPHX at The Clarendon. The work was beautifully engaging and performed by dancer Grace Gallagher. Better yet, it successfully melded fashion design, dance, video projection, and an art installation, and ended up being one of our favorite happenings at the art event.
I came to Phoenix with a hope to be a better version of me, and with the hope of one day becoming an artist someone would remember for the art they created and the dedication they had for their craft.
I make art because it allows me to show a side of me that no amount of words can explain. I make art because I get to share the part of me that makes no sense into the word and have others understand it in their own ways. I make art because it is the most fulfilling thing in my life other than performing.
I'm most productive when I am surrounded by people who are equally as passionate about their art as I am. I am most productive when I allow myself to stop what I am doing and create. Allowing myself to deviate from my "blue print" allows me to creatively produce without feeling restricted.
My inspiration wall is full of random art, photography, and fashion! I brand my work as fashion art and dance. In my process they are all equally important. This is my way of fusing the different art forms.
I've learned most from the directors of the local dance companies and mentors. I have absorbed what was relevant to my art and closely observed their process in order to hone mine. I have learned most from the following people. Nicole Olson, Lisa Starry, Jose Soto, Rachel Hawkinson, Grace Gallagher, Sara "Saza" Dimmick, Luis "Weezy" Egurrola, and last but not least my parents Miguel and Christina Castro. My Father is Mr. Do-it-all extraordinaire/jack of all trades if you will, and my mother is responsible for the love I have for fashion!
Good work should always come from within. I believe that if an artist pours their passion and entire being into their work, it will shine through in the final product. Good work should have a purpose, whether that purpose is self-fulfilling or entertainment.
The Phoenix creative scene could use more support from one another. There is a natural separation amongst the arts that occurs here and I think its time we as artist take the responsibility to start to blur those lines. I think we could all hold ourselves more accountable for being supportive of one another within and outside of our medium. The opportunities for collaboration, innovation and inspiration are endless if we push to work with people that we normally do not work with. Re-invention is the key to success, and if we could help each other re-invent our own brands and art we would never see the same art over and over. If artist truly unify, we would become an undeniable force to be reckoned with and would be taken more seriously.
See the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives:
100. Bill Dambrova 99. Niki Blaker 98. Jeff Slim 97. Beth May 96. Doug Bell 95. Daniel Langhans 94. Nanibaa Beck 93. Nicole Royse 92. Ib Andersen 91. Casandra Hernandez 90. Chris Reed 89. Shelby Maticic 88. Olivia Timmons 87. Courtney Price 86. Travis Mills 85. Catrina Kahler
