I think as artists we've become very distant from people, very exclusive. This project changes that by bringing a work of art to people transforming any setting into the exhibit space. - FRANCK DE LAS MERCEDES


NOELLE LORRAINE WILLIAMS | The first thing that struck me when I first heard of your Priority Boxes Project was the actual act of communication that formed the base of the project. It seems in your practice you had a yearning for a different communication with the audience. With this project an anonymous person, whether rich or poor could make a personal request and receive an object in response to there demand. There is a different communication inherent in this process than one simply viewing an art object or film. What was your intention in doing this and in this manner?

FRANCK DE LAS MERCEDES | The ideas was not only to get people to question their ability to influence change and the value of entities like peace, but to bring art to people from all walks of life. To get them to interact with a work of art and in the process to connect with others who comment on the work, in this case the boxes. I think as artists we've become very distant from people, very exclusive. This project changes that by bringing a work of art to people transforming any setting into the exhibit space. In a society where everything is immediate, we ourselves have become distant from one another, though we communicate faster we're more impersonal I think.

NOELLE LORRAINE WILLIAMS | The foundation of your practice is an expressive style of painting. In what ways do you use this style for the Priority Boxes and how does it work as opposed to having it photographed or copied?

FRANCK DE LAS MERCEDES | Well, each box is painted in an abstract style, that is mainly because I paint abstract. Again, the project does not only promotes art, but it also makes the recipient the owner of a work of art that is original and painted just for him or her. I think a photo or copy of a box would not have the same impact.

NOELLE LORRAINE WILLIAMS | How does this practice interact with your fine art practice? In what ways does community and community dialogue factor in with your work?

FRANCK DE LAS MERCEDES | The boxes have allowed me to explore and experiment with my painting process. That has definitely transcended into my works of art. As for community and dialogue, I hope my work generates dialogue among people and activates them to take some kind of action in their lives or community. Which I've heard is the case from the many messages I receive.

NOELLE LORRAINE WILLIAMS | What are your upcoming projects? What are some of the things you wish to accomplish in your career?

FRANCK DE LAS MERCEDES | I am looking into the possibility of visiting schools, I have many invitations across the country. I will be having a solo show in September at City Hall in Union City, NJ. But for now the boxes are keeping pretty busy. I am on the third year, over 6500 have been sent worldwide and still getting requests. They truly have taken on a life of their own and I am happy to take the ride.

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IMAGENES: A is the new series of abstract portraits by Franck de Las Mercedes
http://www.facebook.com/l/2d99d;www.fdlmstudio.com/abstractportraits.html

The NEW FdLM Shop is open! Welcome you to the new FdLM shop! Here you'll find a variety of  Collectible Art Prints
signed by the Artist.
http://www.facebook.com/l/2d99d;www.fdlmstudio.com/Shop.html

Colaboración de Arte y Literatura
El Aperreamiento es un cuento de Roberto Carlos Pérez que fué publicado en La Prensa Literaria. La pintura es inspirada por el cuento.
http://www.facebook.com/l/2d99d;www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHywC7sVyE0

                                                               

BIOGRAPHY
Franck de Las Mercedes was born in Masaya, Nicaragua.  Raised in a family of dancers, musicians and teachers, Franck spent his childhood immersed in the performing arts and surrounded by the local art and craftsmanship of his small town.

In the mid-eighties, the Sandinista/Contra conflict forced Franck’s family to immigrate to New York, where Franck grew up and eventually worked in music and theatre. In the late nineties, Franck began to experiment with an undying fascination with visual arts, this experimentation quickly evolved into a promising career.

Completely self-taught, FdLM’s creations, from his large scale abstract paintings, to the acclaimed public project  “The Priority Boxes”, have attracted great interest in his work and given him the opportunity to exhibit alongside important artists like Romero Britto and Robert Rauschenberg. With his "Priority Boxes" project, the artist has  taken upon the task of sending colorful painted recycled boxes filled with nothing but Peace, Freedom and Hope; to anybody, anywhere in the world, for free.  This public art series seeks to make people reconsider their ability to influence change, question the fragility and priority of entities like peace, and also to communicate, interact through art and make it accessible to people from all walks of life.

Franck has been the subject of the film An Abstract Way of Life, a documentary by Cara Weiner on abstract painters and "The Priority Boxes", a documentary by Dan Yadin.

He has been featured in national and international television shows and publications such as LatiNation, CNN  En Español,  Noticiero Telemundo and Univision’s “Aqui y Ahora” and Primer Impacto, Reader’s Digest, La Prensa (Nicaragua), Art Business News, American Style,  The Artist’s magazine, Orion Magazine and Soul. In 2007 FdLM was invited by The Betty K Studio in New York  to take part in an International Art Workshop led by teaching artists Olivier di Pizio and Gonzalo Belmonte of the Ateliers des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris.