Balam Soto, New Media Artist

Interactive Art Installations  |  Public Works

linkedin.com/in/balamsoto

Recent Press

• Promotional video for New Zealand Festival 2018: Balam’s experimental instrument is the 2nd installation featured, Link
• “Teknopolis: Art Installations that Tease the Senses,” Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 2/23/17, Link
• “Detalles Acerca del Proyecto Incubodora del Arte,” Periòdico Publinews, 2/21/17, Link
• “Teknopolis: Don’t Miss this Artsy Digital Playground,” Redtri.com, 2/20/17, Link
• “Balam Soto, guatemalteco que fusiona la tecnología y el arte en EE.UU.,” Selene Mejia, Soy 502, 9/8/17, Link
• “Llega A Guatemala, Un Poyecto Que Apoya El Arte,” Carla Natareno, Reportaje de: Lo Bueno, 9/8/17, Link
• “Impulsan arte digital en Guatemala,” La Hora, 2/9/17, Link
• “MakerspaceCT Fosters Innovation in CT,” Innovation Destination Hartford, 12/8/16, Link
• “The Fusion of Lo-Tech and High-Tech,” Jennifer Hayes, TheTakeMagazine.com, 12/5/16, Link
• “Attend the New England Maker Summit with Dale Dougherty, Mark Hatch, and More”, Makezine.com, 11/8/16 Link
• “A Community-Made, Arduino-Powered Interactive Town Map,” Arduino Team, Arduino.cc, 9/15/16 Link
• “Live Updates from World Maker Faire 2016” Makezine.com, 10/2/16 Link
• “Maker Spotlight: Balam Soto,” Sophia Smith, Makezine.com, 8/4/16, Link
• “Coding an Interactive Map of Their Hometown Connects a Community, ” Julie Sawyer, Makezine.com, 8/3/16, Link
• “Georgia Tech Contest Perfect for Musical Mad Scientists”, AJC.com, 2/29/16, Link
• “Sexy Translucent Instrument Powered By Arduino + Plexiglass,” Synthhead, Synthtopia, 8/24/15, Link
• “Exploring Tangible Use Interfaces and Soundscapes,” Zoe Romano, Arduino, 8/24/15, Link
• “An Experimental Instrument Emerges—As an Art Installation?” DJ Pangburn, The Creator’s Project, 8/19/15, Link
• “Artist creates a touch-controlled, sci-fi instrument with Arduino,” Atmel, 8/10/15, Link
• “Sci-Fi Instrument Is a Real Life Windows Media Visualizer,” Nathan Hurst, Make, 8/7/15, Link
• “Theremin-Like Sculpture Looks Like Superman’s Fortress of Solitude,”,Theron Sturgess , Make, 6/16/15, Link
• “Hello, World Maker Faire,” Dale Dougherty, Make, 10/6/15, Link
• “Enhancing Hartford through Art and Innovation,” Innovation Destination Hartford, 11/23/15, Link
• “The Walls Have Eyes at This Interactive Exhibit Where Tech And Art Collide,” Cassidy Dawn Graves, NYMAG.com, 11/23/15, Link

Honors, Awards and Speaking Engagements

2018

• Chosen as Design Lead, Art-a-Hack NYC 2018, Brains Interface Challenge

2017

• Citation recipient, Mayor Neto Bran, Mixco, Guatemala
• Book reference, “Make: Musical Inventions,” Kathy Ceceri, 2017: Book references Balam as a musical inventor and describes his installation, the Experimental Instrument, and its development.

2016

• Winner of Best in Class and Editor’s Choice Ribbons: World Maker Faire, New York Hall of Science Museum, Queens, NY
• Semi-finalist, Guthman Musical Instrument Competition, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
• Official Recognition by the Hartford City Council (CT) for the positive impact his work has had on the region.
• Speaker, New England Maker Summit, University of Hartford
• Guest Speaker, 15th Biennial Symposium on Arts and Technology, Ammerman Center for Arts and Technology at Connecticut College
• Speaker, “Art and Technology: The Fusion of High Tech/Low Tech with Aesthetics,” Connecticut Science Center

2014

• Recipient of the Hartford Arts & Heritage Jobs Grant, Hartford, Connecticut
• Winner of  Editor’s Choice Ribbon at New York Maker Faire, NY Hall of Science Museum, Queens, NY
• Guest Speaker, MakeHartford Opening Ceremony
• Guest Speaker, Simsbury Library, Hartford, CT, “Innovation at Work: How Will Innovation Change Our World & Workforce”

2013

• Guest Speaker TEDX Talk, TEDX Bushnell Park, Hartford, CT
• Received third citation from the Governor of Rhode Island
• Guest Speaker, Central University of Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador

2012

• Recipient of the Business Development Grant for Innovative Entrepreneurs from the City of Hartford, Connecticut
• Winner of 2 Editor’s Choice Ribbons at New York Maker Faire, NY Hall of Science Museum, Queens, NY
• Received second citation from the Governor of Rhode Island

2011

• Received citation from the Governor of Rhode Island

2010

• Winner of Editor’s Choice Ribbon at New York Maker Faire, NY Hall of Science Museum, Queens, NY
• Recipient of the Hartford Arts & Heritage Jobs Grant, Hartford, Connecticut
• Massachusetts Governor and Lt. Governor presented Governor’s Citation
• Attleboro, Massachusetts Mayor presented Certificate of Recognition
• Solidarity Chapina Foundation presented Certificate of Recognition
• Guest Speaker, Queens Museum of Art, Queens, New York

2009

• Golden Latino Award for Arts & Culture in Connecticut, Identidad Latina, Hartford, CT
  • City of Hartford Mayor presented the award and an “Official Citation. . . in recognition of [Balam’s] outstanding contribution in art”
  • Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell sent an Official Statement of congratulations
  • Connecticut State Treasurer Denise Nappier sent a Public Leadership Citation

• Co-recipient of a project grant from the Westchester Arts Council, White Plains, NY
• Guatemalan Consul in Rhode Island presented official thank you for Balam’s support
• Rhode Island Governor “Extends His Greetings and Appreciation”
• Guest Speaker, Sahara West Library, Las Vegas, Nevada

2008

• Guatemalan National Congress awarded a Diploma of Recognition and the title of “Maestro,” [Master Artist]
• Guatemalan Cultural Office in New York presented award for Balam’s “outstanding artistic career in the visual arts”
• Guatemalan Consul in New York presented a Diploma of Recognition

2006

• Scholarship Recipient, Arte Inc., New Haven, CT

2005

• October Artist of the Month, Liquitex Artist Materials

Public Works   

2017

• 2016-17 ZERO1 American Arts Incubator Artist, Guatemala City – Creative exchange program funded by US State Dept. Created an innovative, new media art installation. Trained local artists in new media techniques.

2016

• “Interactive Map”, Jack Jackter Intermediate School, Colchester, CT – Leading low tech- high-tech project of middle school students creating interactive map of US and CT with custom software and multi-media elements
• “E-Garden Interactive Mural”, Girls for Technology, Hartford, CT – Leading low tech- high-tech project of middle school students creating mural from textiles, custom software and custom electronics.
• Maker-in-Residence, Danbury Public Library, Danbury, CT

2015

• “Interactive Map”, Farmington Schools and Library, Farmington, CT – Leading low tech- high-tech project of high school students and adult community members creating interactive map of Farmington with custom software and multi-media elements

2014

• “E-quilt”, Westport Library, Westport, CT – Led project incorporating quilt blocks, made by community members age 5 to senior citizen, into interactive LED exhibit. Used custom software and custom electronics.

2010

• Westchester Arts Council and HAGUA, Port Chester, NY

2008

• Office of Cultural Affairs for the City of Hartford, CT

2007

• Montessori School of Greater Hartford, West Hartford, CT
• Artists Collective, Hartford, CT
• Hartford Public Library and the Coalition to Strengthen the Sheldon/Charter Oak Neighborhood, Hartford, CT
• Office of Cultural Affairs for the city of Hartford, CT

2006

• Hartford Public Library and the Coalition to Strengthen the Sheldon/Charter Oak Neighborhood, Hartford, CT
• Cross-Cultural Academy of Arts and Technology, Hartford, CT

1993

• University of San Carlos, Guatemala City, Guatemala

Exhibitions

2018

• “Future Playground,” New Zealand Festival, Wellington, New Zealand
• “Media Wall”, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA
• “Arte Digital,” Galeria del Centro Espanol, Guatemala City, Guatemala

2017

• “Teknopolis”, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, NY
• ”Metamorphosis,” Artecentro, Guatemala City, Guatemala
• Worlds Fair Nano, Brooklyn, NY
• UMW Media Wall, Hurley Convergence Center, University of Mary Washington, Virginia
• Creative Tech Week, Industry City, Brooklyn, NY

2016

• TedX Navesink, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ
• Creative Tech Week, Industry City, Brooklyn, NY
• Capitol Hill Maker Faire,  Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC
• “World Maker Faire”, New York Hall of Science Museum, Queens, NY

2015

• Espacio Enter, Tenerife, Spain
• “Media Lounge”, West Beth Gallery, New York City, NY
• “Shared Resources” Whitney Center Gallery, Hamden, CT
• “World Maker Faire”, New York Hall of Science Museum, Queens, NY

2014

• AluCine Latin Media Festival, Toronto, Canada
• “The Drift”, Netherlands
• RE/Mixed Media Festival IV, New York, NY
• “Synthetic Zero”, Bronx ArtSpace, Bronx, NY
• “World Maker Faire”, New York Hall of Science Museum, Queens, NY
• Shared Resources: Participatory. Interactive. Collaborative Art Perspectives …” Gallery at Whitney Center, New Haven, CT
• “Freedom Dreams: We Belong Here Hartford” Hartford Public Library
• “Alive with History” Connecticut Historical Society Museum, Hartford, CT, since 2006

2013

• “Sonic Landscapes”, Science Museum Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK
• “PopRally MoMA”, Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, Art video projection
• “Espacio Enter 2013”, ARTECHMEDIA, Canarias, Spain
• “Sidewalk Surfing”, Everhart Museum of Science, Art and Technology, Scranton, PA
• “AFH”, Ezra & Cecil Zikha Gallery, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
• “Catalyst”, FATVillage Arts District Gallery, Fort Lauderdale, FL
• VFFF’13 Festival, Quito, Ecuador, Art video projection
• “World Maker Faire”, New York Hall of Science Museum, Queens, NY
• “Paper to Pixel” Vernon Arts Center, Vernon, CT
• “Mini Maker Faire”, Westport Maker Faire, Westport, CT
• “Video Under the Subway”, Local Project, New York, NY, Art video projection
• “Makers Manual”, Institute Library, New Haven, CT
• “Un Nature”, New Haven Arts Council, Whitney Center Gallery, New Haven, CT

2012

• “Art Controller”, New York Hall of Science Museum, Queens, NY
• My installation was added as an interactive, hands on exhibit
• “File Rio 2012”, Art Galery of Oi Futuro – Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• “World Maker Faire”, New York Hall of Science Museum, Queens, NY
• “Westport Mini-Maker Faire”, Westport Public Library, Westport, CT
• DysTorpia Media Series, Fluid New Media Lab, Queens Museum of Art, Queens, NY
• “Correlacion Ilusoria”, Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx, NY
• Connecticut Culture Gallery, Bradley International Airport, Windsor, CT
•  “Envision Fest”, Bushnell Park, City of Hartford
• “Ensemble”, The Russian Lady, Hartford, CT
• “Alive with History” Connecticut Historical Society Museum, Hartford, CT, since 2006
• Movement Museum, online museum

2011

• “Day of the Dead”, El Museo del Barrio, New York, NY
• “Maker Faire”, New York Hall of Science Museum, Queens, NY
• “Strata Mini Maker Faire” Strata Conference: Making Data Work, New York Hilton, New York, NY
• FILE – Electronic Language International Festival, SESI Art Gallery, Sao Paulo, Brazil
• “Subversive Technologies”, Toronto Free Gallery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• “Flip the Switch: A Night of Music, Media and Mayhem”, 3LD Arts and Technology Center, Manhattan, NY
• “Phoenix Art After Hours”, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, CT
• “Billboard Art Project”, Route 222, Reading, PA
• “Future Tense Billboards”, Hartford, CT Billboard
• “Traveling State: Celebrating Diversity of Art”, Warwick Museum of Art, Warwick, RI
• “The 10th State Latin American Visual Arts Exhibit”, Atrium Gallery, Providence, RI
• “time analysis”, Pump House Gallery, Hartford, CT
• Connecticut Cinematic Celebration, Real Art Ways, Hartford, CT
• “Celebramos: A Latino Community Exhibition”, City Hall, Providence, RI
• UCONN Law School, Hartford, CT
• Open Studio Hartford, annual participation since 2004

2010

• “Subversive Manipulations of Technology”, aluCine Latin Media Festival, Toronto, Canada
• “Art and Technology Corridor at the Three Rivers Arts Festival” Pittsburgh Technology Council, Pittsburgh, PA
• “Maker Faire,” The New York Hall of Science Museum, Queens, NY
• Guatemala Consul, Los Angeles, CA
• “Celebrating Diversity” Attleboro Museum, Attleboro, MA
• “3er Mayan Festival” Queens Museum of Art, Queens, NY
• “Immigrants’ Art Exhibit”
  • CUNY Law School, Queens, NY, 2010
  • Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts, Long Branch, NJ, 2010
  • Rio II Gallery, New York, NY, 2009
  • Arts Horizons LeRoy Neiman Art Center, New York, NY, 2009
  • Suffolk County Community College, Long Island, NY, 2009
  • American Friends Service Committee, Newark, NJ, 2009
  • South Ocean Art Gallery, Freeport, NY, 2009
• “Customs and Traditions of Guatemala” Westchester Arts Council Gallery, White Plains, NY
• “Digital Transition” Augusta Savage Gallery, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
• Guatemala Consulate, Providence, RI
•  “Re.invent”
  • West Charleston Library, Las Vegas, NV, 2010
  • Sahara West Library, Las Vegas, NV, 2009
• “Immigrant”, Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT
• “ Multicultural Expressions” Farmington Library, Farmington, CT
• “Global Online Event” Interactive online group show located on facebook.com

2009

• “AmericAura”
  • Centre Cultural, Brussels, Belgium, 2009
  • Teatro Cesare Volta (digital images), Pavia, Italy, 2009
  • “AfricAura”, National Library of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon, West Africa, 2008
• Augusta Savage Gallery, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 2007
• “Day of the Dead: Art and Culture in the Americas” Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art, Scranton, PA
• “Media Fluid, Art and Technology” Queens Museum of Art, Queens, NY
• “Media Lounge, Art and Technology” Room 404 Media, Brooklyn, NY
• “e-voluciòn: del arte guatemalteco” [“e-volution: of guatemalan art”] Miraflores Museum, Guatemala City, Guatemala
• “2012 Interact” Colo-Colo Gallery, New Bedford, MA
• “Guatemalan Art Beyond Borders” City Hall, Providence, RI
• Guatemalan Consulate, Providence, RI
• “Tzolkin 0.1: An Interactive Exploration of the Mayan Calendar” Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT
• “Tzolkin 0.1: Version 2” Director’s Gallery, Hartford, CT
• “Sensorial” Colo-Colo Gallery, New Bedford, MA
• “Something Old- Something New”, 8TH Annual State Latin American Visual Arts Exhibit Atrium Gallery, Providence, RI
• “Museum After Dark Summer Art Auction”, New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain, CT
• Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, CT 2006 – 2009

2008

• “Hispanic Heritage Art Show, Elmhurst Hospital, Queens, NY, Curated by the Queens Museum of Art
• “Ancestors: A Day of the Dead Celebration”, Institute for Community Research, Hartford, CT, Organized and curated by Balam Soto
• “The Latin Perpective… a touch of Contemporary Art,” New Brit. Art League, New Britain, CT, Curated by Latins in the Borough Art Gallery
• “Forgeries,” Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT, Art auction fundraiser
• “Menage A7,” New Haven, CT
• “Solo: Myth 0.1”, Colo Colo Gallery, New Bedford, MA
• “Origins”, Latins in the Borough Art Gallery, Stonington, CT
• Hartford Hospital Gallery, Hartford, CT
• “Perceptual,” Director’s Gallery, Hartford, CT

2007

• “Interwoven,” ArtSpace Gallery, Hartford, CT, Curated, organized and participated in by Balam Soto
  • 2007: “Interwoven 3: Avant-Garde”
  • 2006: “Interwoven 2”
  • 2005: “Interwoven: Cultural Identity of 3 Latino Artists”
• “Mùsica! Mùsica! Mùsica”, Arte Inc., New Haven, CT
• The Pump House, Hartford, CT
• Farmington Unity Day Cultural Festival, Farmington, CT
• “Apartment # __ ,” ArtSpace Gallery, Hartford, CT
• “Ofrendas: A Day of the Dead Celebration,” Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT, Organized, curated and participated in by Balam Soto
• “Ofrenda 2: A Day of the Dead Installation,” Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT
• “A Rainforest of Color,” The Art Station, Hartford, CT

2006

• “no.mad,” Park Street, Hartford, CT
• “Ancestral Spirits,” Director’s Gallery, Hartford, CT
• “Inaugural Opening,” The Art Station, Hartford, CT
• “Holiday Show,” Farmington Valley Arts Center, Farmington, CT
• “Jazz Up the House,” Hartford, CT
• “Ancient Voices,” ETC Gallery, Hartford, CT
• “Mystic Within,” Pegasus Gallery, Middlesex Community College, Middletown,CT
• “Realms of Color,” Exposure Ltd., Manchester, CT

2005

• “Through the Eyes of Culture and Tradition,” Capitol Community College, Hartford, CT
• “Dia de los Muertos,” Rocking Horse Cafe, New York, NY
• “Winter Treasures,” Exposure Ltd. Art & Framing, Manchester, CT
• Oddfellows Playhouse, Middletown, CT
• “Cultural Spirit”, Director’s Gallery, Hartford, CT
• “Mysticism,” Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford, CT
• La Paloma Sabanera, Hartford, CT
• Webster Bank, New Haven, CT
• Kafe, New Haven, CT

2004   “Fifth Sun,” Wethersfield Public Library, Wethersfield, CT

1998 – 2000

• “Individual Concerns,” Gallery of Social and Political Art, Boston, MA
• “Misticismo,” DeSales Hall Ballroom, Hartford, CT

1999    “Violence and Society,” Gallery of Social and Political Art, Boston, MA
1998

• Barnes & Noble, Farmington, CT
• City Store, Hartford, CT

1991    University of San Carlos, Guatemala City, Guatemala