The Engineering of WineDivaa Art

By Martha Cisneros Paja

I have been developing a new project WineDivaa Art: The Intersection of Engineering and Wine Communication

To my fellow lovers of art and the vine:

There is a common misconception in our modern world that art and engineering exist in entirely different spheres: one governed by the whims of emotion and the other by the cold, hard logic of systems. However, throughout my career, I have discovered that they are actually two sides of the same coin. Both disciplines require a mastery of technique and a deep respect for structure. Additionally, they require an almost obsessive focus on the “why” behind the final result. Whether I am optimizing a sprint in an Agile framework or analyzing the aromatic profile of a complex Cabernet, I am looking for the same thing. In both cases, I search for the strategy behind the creation.

I recently shared the full, intimate story of my artistic roots—from my childhood coloring books in Monterrey to my student days in Barcelona—over on my personal blog at MarthaCisneros.com. But today, I want to share a specific moment of professional clarity I experienced this past December. It was a moment that perfectly encapsulates the mission of WineDivaa Art. This also explains the technical “soul” behind everything I create. Meanwhile, I continue to lead my professional career in the world of engineering and wine writting.

While visiting Saint Petersburg, I had the privilege of exploring the Dalí Museum. As an engineer, I have always been drawn to Salvador Dalí’s work because of his surgical precision and his use of mathematical proportions to create surreal dreamscapes. But this visit offered something more profound than I expected. I discovered a dedicated exposition that felt like a divine intersection of my two greatest passions. In particular, it featured The wine-inspired works of Salvador Dalí and his muse, Gala.

The Alchemy of Dalí and Gala: A Masterclass in Strategy

This exposition was not merely a collection of paintings featuring grapes; it was a profound deep dive into what Dalí called the “Divine Dalí” interpretation of viticulture. Seeing how Dalí utilized wine, not just as a subject, but as a symbol of transformation and ritual, was a true “pinch-me” moment for me.

The collection showcased pieces from his The Wines of Gala. It was a project where he took the traditional world of oenology and completely reimagined it.

In this book, Dali and Gala’s duality as a couple is expressed through two distinct organizational approaches. Dali categorizes wines by classic regions and vineyards. Meanwhile, Gala arranges them ‘according to the sensations they create in our very dephts’ – joy, frivolity or even impossibility.

This categorization reflected a brilliant strategy, one that recognizes that wine is a living art form that changes based on its environment and the soul of the person drinking it.

Standing in that museum, I realized that Dalí understood a truth that I apply to both my engineering projects and my canvas. The “tears” in a glass are as much a part of the masterpiece as the oil on a canvas. Moreover, the way the liquid clings to the glass, the “suelo” or soil that gives the vine its character, and the repetition of the harvest cycles are all part of a grand, strategic design.

Tasteful: A Celebration of Food Culture and Creativity

This realization has been the driving force behind my latest work under the WineDivaa Art name. I am incredibly proud to announce that my composition, Lágrimas y Suelo (Tears and Terroir), has been selected to be part of the upcoming exhibition “Tasteful: A Celebration of Food Culture and Creativity.” This exhibition, hosted by the Huntington Arts Council, runs from May 7th to June 8th. It explores the deep, visceral connection between what we consume and how we create.  It is juried by Jeffrey Alvarado, a seasoned hospitality professional who owns The Last Word in Huntington Village, proudly serving guests since 2021.

Being part of the Tasteful collection allows me to showcase how wine is more than just a beverage: it is a cultural anchor. My composition is a direct descendant of the global inspirations I’ve gathered. I was a pupil of an art therapist for more than two years. Through art and reflection of mindfullness I have been able to express emotions and understand my lines of thought more clearly. Hence, all these experiences are finally reflected in my first composition. In it, I attempt to capture the lines and strategies I studied during my engineering years in Europe. Furthermore, I also merge them with the surrealist beauty I witnessed in Saint Petersburg.

As I mentioned in my recent biographical essay, art and wine are disciplines of infinite learning. Even as I remain deeply committed to my professional career in Engineering and Wine Writting, WineDivaa Art allows me to express the “repetition and strategy” of my mind through a different medium. I invite you to visit the Huntington Arts Council this May to explore this intersection with me. This is where the logic of the engineer meets the spirit of the vine.

With love and logic,

Martha Cisneros Paja Author, Writer and Editor-in-Chief at WineDivaa.com