Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Clifford.
Marissa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
A few years ago, I found myself unsatisfied with working in the museum world, especially since my dreams had always centered around making art, rather than studying it. I started looking for alternatives, focusing all my energy on finding a sustainable way to make a living as a creative.
I went freelance, writing about media art and Los Angeles. I learned the art of projections and projection-mapping, and started doing live visuals for bands. Finally, I landed my first artist residency, focused on art and social justice at an advertising agency.
That residency really served as a launching point for me. I was able to push myself artistically, designing projections for an immersive installation and directing a music video, as well as hone my skills in a new industry. Ironically–after always shying away the idea of advertising because it was “working for the man”–I found the creative freedom and cultural platform in advertising that I was missing in the museum.
Now, I work at Media Arts Lab concepting ads for Apple by day. By night, I’m working in my studio, writing, screen-printing, designing tube TV installations, or mixing live visuals at venues around LA.
Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not. I’ve faced many obstacles, whether it was in the form of struggles with mental health, navigating corporate culture, or simply being underestimated.
The times my journey has been the smoothest though, is when I trusted my intuition. We live in a world where, despite the fact that culture is no longer half as monolithic it was a few decades ago, there are still dominant narratives and oppressive paradigms that we’re expected to fall in line with. I’ve learned that to be fulfilled you have to break free from those expectations. If something seems off-the-wall or totally unfounded, but your gut is telling you to do it, then do it. The times I’ve felt like I have no idea why my brain is telling me to reach out to this person or try this new technique or speak up even when it’s hard, have been by far the most fruitful for me, both creatively and professionally. Especially for women, who are taught to constantly second-guess themselves, this is key.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I work in new media and video art, so I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say, “I still don’t know what you do, but it’s cool.” It’s frustrating sometimes, but it’s also the reality of working in a medium that is often intangible and still emerging–despite the fact that installation and new media art has its roots firmly in the 1930s and 60s, if not earlier. Eventually, I want everyone to know about the powerful storytelling potential old technologies have when they’re used in contemporary contexts. The ethos of reuse and adaptation of outdated materials that’s so prevalent in new media is something I think the world could use a little bit more of right now.
As for my visuals, I’ve always seen cinematic images or scenes in my head when I play or listen to music. When I create visuals or stage sets for bands, I try to recreate those images in my head, projecting them on stage for everyone to see.
I think one of the pieces I’m proudest of though, is the music video I directed for Jimmy Stringer, a man who had been released from prison after thirty years in early 2018, as part of my artist residency. I worked with Jimmy to record one of his many songs, and then had a week to produce, direct, choreograph, and edit a video for it. It was one of the sweatiest and most intense weeks of my life, but hearing Jimmy’s total joy on the phone over the piece was something I’ll never forget. I felt so honored to be able to give him something that he felt empowered by in the moment of his re-entry into society.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Cold emails, man. Cold emails. Every mentor I’ve had in the past few years has come from me seeing their work online and just shooting them an email asking to grab a coffee. You’d be surprised how willing people are to share their story with you. Plus, if you two have a genuine connection, there’s no end to how you both can support each other in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marissaclifford.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yardleysee/
Image Credit:
Photos: Marissa Clifford and Kelsey Hart, http://www.littleghostkh.com/
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
