Artist Statement
Do you feel the spirit energy of a passing soul you knew? Could amplifying the energy you feel for them bring them back? Trying to convey the spirit of oneself almost as if they're watching you.

Spirit Entries expands upon the themes and scale of my sculptural installation "Sin Ti," which portrays tall figures representing the spirits of departed loved ones. Inspired by the grief of losing my grandmother, Mami Candi, and unable to visit her in Peru, this work delves into the physical and metaphysical separations caused by death. Through a blend of puppetry, flute music composed by me, and choreographed dance performances, Spirit Entries aims to create a communal space for cathartic reflection on our collective ancestry and the influence of the spiritual realm on our lives, inviting audiences to connect deeply with each other and with their own interpretations of spirituality.

Bio
Dani is a jewelry designer, piercer, visual artist, and performance artist based in Salt Lake City. Dani’s work weaves together the intricate design qualities of gothic, bio-organic, and romantic art with traditional Andean patterns and symbols. His biggest visual influences are his Peruvian heritage and the illustrative arts. Thematically, Dani’s work encompasses the mystic, futuristic, and fantastical. Dani’s most recent exhibitions were a mixed media gallery installation titled Sin Ti, at Sister SLC’s September 2023 zine launch and the inaugural Misery & Co Tattoo art show, which Dani organized from the ground up. Dani directed and performed in a screen dance which premiered at Queer Spectra Arts Festival 2023. Dani has also been featured as a set designer, flautist, and dancer in several performances with Interdisciplinary Arts Collective.