Ola Onda is a photo collective started by visual artist Lilian Martinez and photographer Daniel McKee.
A play on duality and language, when pronounced Ola Onda [o’-lah] [on’-dah] can be interoperated as Wave Wave, Deep Wave, or Hello Wave.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do? We work collaboratively to produce images as Ola Onda. In our personal lives we try not to get too grumpy or eat too many snacks. In our work we explore social archetypes from a playful and unworldly perspective.
If you had one wish what would it be? World peace and teleportation.
#1 fashion don’t? White socks unless it looks really cool.
If you had to explain your work or brand to a stranger, what would you say? Bright and mysterious. A new kind of etherial.
What materials do you use in your work and what is your process like? We use light, the internet, bodies, computer software and self created objects. We develop an idea and work together to make it real. I usually art direct and style and Daniel does the lighting and shooting. Someone told us that watching us work was a lot like watching two people working on a puzzle together.
What artists or designers are you interested in right now? We really love Mate Moro‘s work. It’s super playful and smart. And Courtney Jaedtke also known as Napkin. She made the Whatever banner that we photographed for our Afterlife / Afterparty series.
What are you really excited about right now? The future, moving to the west cost and growing old together.
What are you listening to right now? Cyril Hahn Mix Series – French Kiss and science podcasts.
What is your snack/beverage of choice when working in your studio? Small chocolates, grapefruit Lacroix, and fruit, but outside of the studio any thing goes.
What is your ideal studio situation/workspace? Open and bright with a loft bed for naps, very minimal with lots of space and one single giant plant.