Mijail Rodrigo Bazoalto Medrano

2023 IVLP Impact Award Project: Pandemic Funeral: Finding Hope and HealingBolivia

Rodrigo "Miro" Bazoalto is a storyteller, visual artist, graphic designer and entrepreneur. He founded his own creative studio in 2011 where he works with a collective of illustrators, designers, writers and artist of all sorts on projects for the creative industry or the “orange economy.” Serving as a local reference in the world of comics and creativity, he also organized exhibitions and conferences in several cultural institutions. Miro has other cultural ventures including “Comic Bolivia,” which is a non-profit community and website dedicated to the promotion of Bolivian comics and authors. It also create events and generate spaces for new artists to sell their products. Miro also support the undertakings of the orange economy and creative industries such as the Paranoia School. As an artist involved in his community, he has helped to manage different initiatives in his city such as the creation of comic competitions and cultural spaces like the “Café Cómic” and the “Integral Course of Graphic Narrative.” Miro is always helping new young artists by promoting trainings, production spaces and activities. 

2023 IVLP Impact Award Project: Pandemic Funeral: Finding Hope and Healing

The "Pandemic Funeral: Finding Hope and Healing" project was a community-centered art exhibition and educational initiative that addressed the emotional and psychological impact of the pandemic. Based in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, the project engaged and supported individuals and communities affected by the pandemic, with a particular focus on young artists.

Through a curated collection of comics, fanzines, and artwork created by emerging artists from Comics de Impacto, the exhibition served as a visual representation of the collective experiences and resilience during challenging times. The exhibition uniquely blended elements of Bolivian imagery with the theme of bidding farewell to the pandemic era. Through a combination of visual art, symbolic installations, and participatory activities, it invited visitors to engage emotionally and intellectually with the pandemic's end while incorporating elements of Bolivian culture and symbolism. Approximately 204 visitors engaged with the exhibition and demonstrated active interest in the exhibition's supplementary events. Building upon the success of the 'Pandemic Funeral' exhibition, Mijail is actively engaging in discussions with psychologists to develop guided materials inspired by the exhibition's themes. This collaboration aims to provide insightful resources for navigating post-pandemic challenges. Furthermore, the exhibition will be showcased at Galería Kiosko in 2024.

"[The exhibition] emphasized the value of creating physical experiences where individuals can immerse themselves in tangible art forms. This revelation inspires us to explore innovative ways to blend digital art with physical spaces, ensuring people can both view and physically engage with the artwork, fostering deeper connections and experiences." - Mijial Rodrigo Bazoalto Medrano

2022 IVLP Impact Award Project: Creative Residencies - Stories of a Pandemic

The residencies were designed for young artists to create web-comics. The artists received studio space, mentoring, equipment and tools to create original comics.  The project encouraged young artists to think and create original art based on their current reality. This promoted the production of comics within a framework of social impact, which opening up significant conversations with the audience about the pandemic. One objective was to make the resident artists known as important and relevant creators in their community, and this project supported their empowerment as artists and creators. Please visit www.comicsdeimpacto.com to read the webcomics created throughout this project.

 

"They made me think and reflect on the stories I tell and develop…before I thought about making comics just for fun, but now I understand that apart from being something fun, they have a certain impact on the community.” - Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience

Mijail was a participant in the IVLP Project Promoting Social Change through the Arts in 2021, organized by the U.S. Department of State and FHI 360. He was a participant in the IVLP Project Promoting Social Change through the Arts in 2022, organized by the U.S. Department of State and the Mississippi Consortium for International Development.

Mijail's exchange experience led him to develop his IVLP Impact Award Project: "My IVLP experience taught me the value of empathy, the importance of embracing diversity, and the power of storytelling. It ignited a fire within me to use my artistic skills and platform to create a space for reflection, connection, and healing."

U.S. Communities Visited in 2022

Colorado Springs, CO; Washington, DC; New York City, NY

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually in 2021

Washington, DC; Orlando, FL; Albuquerque, NM; Minneapolis, MN; Santa Fe, NM

"I am forever grateful for the IVLP program for nurturing my passion and providing me with the tools and network to make a meaningful impact." - Mijial Rodrigo Bazoalto Medrano

Country: Bolivia

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