From analog to digital: texture and contemporary illustration for an aesthetic of zulian identity

Abstract

This paper presents research on the evolution of texture from traditional (analog) media to the digital environment, focusing specifically on how it is used to construct an aesthetic of Zulia identity. The research argues that digital texture is not a mere decorative "patch" or a sterile simulation, but rather an act of technical and aesthetic intentionality that activates the viewer's tactile and cultural memory. As a complement, the artistic proposal "Postcards of Faith and Zulia Land" is presented, demonstrating how the use of textural contrast—juxtaposing pristine elements with backgrounds that simulate the wear and tear, saltpeter, and sun of Zulia—evokes feelings of belonging, nostalgia, and historical resilience. The study concludes that, in the technological age, the authenticity of a work resides not in the physical materials used, but in the conscious encoding of signs that resonate with the collective imagination.