Armando Lopez-Bircann (Arma Dura) is an XR (extended reality) artist based in Miami FL USA that designs digital/physical wearables with a genderfluid, Latinx, Queer Ecofeminist lens. (Click Here for CV)
Photo by Carol Antezana, AR by Armando Lopez-Bircann
Armando Lopez-Bircann is a Latinx artist that engineers wearable sculptures, digital media and performances. Their Extended Reality (XR) practice is framed by immigrant narratives, genderfluid expression, digital native sensibilities and a Queer Ecofeminist lens. Their artwork is developed through a framework called Cy-Fae (Cyber-Fairy). This concept seeks to connect the low end of high tech with culturally and materially sustainable practices. The designs use historical references, cultural practices to infuse futuristic aesthetics with natural spirit-like qualities. It is an applied artmaking that could exist within the solarpunk genre.
Currently their practice focuses on compostable 3D printed and Augmented Reality (AR) wearables that are used in video and live performances, alongside original music and monologues. They work as an independent artist and have also designed works in collaboration with dancers, circus performers, photographers, videographers, musicians and other artists. They are based in Miami FL USA.
Notable accomplishments include an Artist Talk at the Hirshhorn Museum, a commissioned performance for the Smithsonian's Archive of American Arts in collaboration with the Keith Haring foundation, being a DC Commission of Arts and Humanities fellow, and a Wherewithal Research Grant recipient. They received a Graduate Certificate in Digital Technologies in Design Art Practice from Concordia University and a Fine Arts degree from Corcoran College of Art + Design.
Awards:
2022 – Wherewithal Research Grant
Washington Project for the Arts
2013, 2021-2024 – Artist Fellowship Grant
District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities
2023, 2024 – Project Grant
District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Selected exhibitions and design:
2025
– Extended Bloom, Smithsonian’s Archive of American Arts, Keith Haring Foundation & DC Public Libraries, Washington DC
2024
– Pride History Maker, Kids’ Innovation & Discovery (KID) Museum, Bethesda, MD
– Giorgio Siladi, Isle of Light music festival, Dominican Republic
– The Ortiz Twins Are Coming Home, Lyceum Museum, Alexandria, VA
2023
– VisArts Craft Advisory Council Rockville, MD
– Capital Fringe Festival, Washington DC
– Cy-Fae : Group Performance, Washington, DC
2022
– WPA Collectors’ Night Benefit Auction, Washington, DC
2021
– Looking In/Looking Out, Transformer, Washington DC
–Siren Arts, Transformer, Asbury Park, NJ
–The LatinX-Myn, Copacabana, Washington DC
2020
– Friday Art Break Artist Talk, Hirshhorn, Washington DC
– Queer Threads: Curious Cabaret, Transformer, Washington DC
– Arma.Dura and Katie Magician, Rhizome, Washington DC
– Siren Arts: Fluxus Sea, Transformer, Washington DC
2019
– Transformer Benefit performance, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington DC
– Arma.Dura and Katie Magician, Rhizome, Washington DC
2018
– Us vs Them, Dance video for Kyra Jean Green. Directed by Jono
Art Direction and Wearable Art for 8 Dancers, Montreal QC
2017
– All Snowflakes Are the Same When They Fall (by Choreographer Kyra Jean Green)
Concept Designer and Dance wearables for 18 dancers
École de danse contemporaine de Montréal / Tangente Danse, Montreal QC
– TerraSapiens by Damian Siqueiros Wearable Art for 360 photo shoot with 4 dancers, Xangle, Montreal QC
– Semaine de Création 2017, l'École Nationale de Cirque, Montreal QC
2016
– The Man Who Traveled Nowhere in Time - Trip the Light Fantastic
Festival Quartiers Danses, Cinquième salle, Montreal QC
– Spectrum graduate exhibition, Concordia University, Montreal QC
– Wiggle festival, Never Apart Gallery, Montreal QC
2015
– Laboratoire Phénomena 2 (Phénomena Festival). Casa del Popolo, Montreal QC
2014
– (re)Activate, Hamiltonian Gallery, Washington DC
– Quiet Cabaret, Furthermore, Washington DC
– Pussy Pop Catwalk : Purrrformance Art Party, Transformer, Washington DC
– Corcoran Ball performance, Corcoran Gallery, Washington DC
2013
– Performance for Transformer Silent Auction, Corcoran Gallery, Washington DC
– Lemuria : A Performance Art Party, Transformer, Washington DC
– Animals & Fire, (e)merge Art Fair, Washington DC
– Inner Librare, Workhouse Art Center, Lorton VA
– Lady Parts, 87 Florida, Washington, DC
– Academy : Annual MFA/BFA Invitational , CONNERSMITH, Washington DC
– SuperNova Performance Art Festival, Rosslyn VA
– Fast Forward, Brentwood Arts Exchange, Hyattsville MD
– Next, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington DC
2012
– Art Greenwich, Eileen Braziel Art Advisors, Greenwich CT
– Performance for Transformer Silent Auction, Corcoran Gallery, Washington DC
– Pretty Tough, Eileen Braziel Art Advisors, Santa Fe NM
– Fifteen Passenger Van, Monserrat House, Washington DC
– Soapbox, Hillyer Artspace, Washington DC
– Wear, Strut, Occupy, Gallery 31, Washington DC
2011
– Milk Boy Discoveries of a Massive Reality, NY Studio Residency Program, Brooklyn
– Solipsissy by Boys Be Good at Morton Fine Art, Washington DC
– The Metaschematizons by Boys Be Good at Morton Fine Art, Washington DC
– Mind Altering Space by Vestibule at the Parlor, Washington DC
– Juried Exhibition curated by Andrea Pollan, Gallery 31, Washington DC