A Documentary by Isa “Rémie” Theisen – Tales of Transformation
and the Art of Singularity by Gary Freitas
An Introduction from Filmmaker, Rémie
It was pure random luck that I met Gary.
I was filming a promo video at an electronics recycling center, eGreen IT Solutions, in Phoenix, Arizona, when I noticed very unusual sculptures on a workshop table, ready to be hung in the lobby. I was mesmerized by these sculptures made solely of electronic components. I expressed my interest to the CEO of eGreen IT Solutions, Karin Harris, who mentioned that a local artist created these sculptures from electronic discards that he buys from her company.
Unbeknownst to me, Karin contacted the artist and the next day, which was the last day of our promo shoot, Gary showed up to introduce himself. After chatting with Gary for a few minutes, we agreed to meet at his studio incubator so I could take a look at his other sculptures.
As soon as I stepped inside Gary’s studio incubator, I knew there was a story hidden inside these remarkable sculptures. Right then, as Gary was explaining his philosophy about his artwork, the idea of a documentary was born.
The wheels were soon in motion to develop the concept of Tales of Transformation, gather a crew, and start filming Gary’s passion of creating art from discarded electronics.
Gary is the first artist featured in the Pilot of the Documentary Series, Tales of Transformation. In the pilot, called The Electronic Alchemist, we discover Gary’s passionate mission to rescue discarded electronic components from oblivion.
In the same way an archaeologist searches for fossils, Gary spends hours dumpster diving in the bowels of electronic recyclers. What fuels him is his fascination with our culture’s obsession and addiction to electronics and our ability to so easily discard these materials that were once considered essential.
His work, intricate sculptures made entirely of electronic components incorporate devices spanning multiple time periods. Gary’s sculptures are a visual reminder of the many devices we have used in the past and make us wonder what is to come.
Gary will be one of the keynote artists throughout the documentary series to support the mechanization topic.
