At its core, art is about communicating something in new and compelling ways. The artist uses creative vision, and unique media to convey his message to the audience. Sand, light, and music are the media Joe Castillo uses to tell his stories. His unusual talent has enabled him to perform in over eighteen countries, allowed him to appear in the 2011 TEDActive! Conference, and taken him all the way to the finals of the reality show competition America’s Got Talent in September 2012.
Castillo is adept at using his sand artistry to communicate cultural, civic, religious, or corporate messages. He also entertains. He performs his SandStory, ArtStory, and WordStory presentations in both English and Spanish. During a live performance, he captivates audiences with both the novelty of his medium and his fast-paced and innovative creations.
This video highlights Castillo’s skill as he uses sand to create a fully recognizable caricature of Howard Stern. It seems almost magical to watch as he transforms the pile of sand into an image of Stern’s face. The background music as Castillo spreads and smooths adds to the anticipation and wonder as the portrait appears. Castillo’s trademark beret perched on Stern’s head provides the final touch to the picture.
Art reaches humans on an emotional level, and using visual arts to educate, entertain, or persuade is nothing new. Doing so in a unique and memorable manner is the key. Certainly a medium as uncommon as sand and light communicates a message in a way that ensures it will be remembered. Utilizing that unusual medium with as much skill and creativity as Joe Castillo means the viewer will not only enjoy the performance but will be inspired through the message.
