Landscapes: Outside Visits - Visionary Metropolis (Tony Garnier's - Une Cite Industrielle) at the Wolfsonian Miami

Plate 164 :Blast Furnaces

Visionary Metropolis make me realize of how industrial revolution change the world and the way people live. Tony Garnier's was a French architect native of Lyon that imagine a perfect city in the 1900's. In his ideal industrialize city he plan health facilities, recreation facilities, civic centers, residential zones and industrial zones. Garnier's lithographs are so beautiful realistic that transports the viewer to the vision of his perfect city. He thought of ways of improving life qualities for Parisians. He tried to enhance public facilities, services, parks, etc,  to improve the life of the citizens from the city.

I believe it is important to plan and to visualize what you want to create. I am going to take that advice as  the lesson from this exhibit. It is interesting to see that people from the 1900's wanted the same commodities like us,  people living in the 2000's. Population and industry during these years had increase pollution opposing to Garnier's ideals. As well as "healthy" sunlight to promote vitamin D and happiness has become our enemy causing skin cancer and other diseases because we humans destroy nature in our road to "progress".  It is sad to break Garnier's dream city, his  perfect city, the fantasy city, the  place everyone will love to live.

Garnier's Litographs

"The City of To-morrow and its Planning"

Reflection at the Elevator at The Wolfsonian

Landscapes: Small Works- Prose/Poetry

ECO - FRIENDLY

I've Been Thinking in Eco-Friendly...

What if You Don't Want Eco-Friendly?

What Means To Be Eco-Friendly?

Grow a Garden, Be Eco- Friendly!

Enjoy Nature, Be Eco-Friendly!

Save Water, Be Eco-Friendly!

Do You Believe in Eco-Friendly?

Do You Mind Eco-Friendly?

Ride a Bicycle, Be Eco-Friendly!

Plant a Tree, Be Eco-Friendly!

Walk, Be Eco-Friendly!

Do You Want Something Eco-Friendly?

Do You Act Eco-Friendly?

Recycle, Be Eco-Friendly!

Reduce, Be Eco-Friendly!

Reuse, Be Eco-Friendly!

Do You Want Someone Eco- Friendly?

Do You Prefer Eco-Friendly?

Respect PachaMama , Be Eco- Friendly!

Embrace Your Earth, Be Eco-Friendly!

Love Yourself, Be Eco-Friendly!

Landscapes: Outside Visit - The Discipline of Nature: Architect Alfred Browning Parker in Florida at History Miami

Exhibition Wall Text

As soon as I went into this exhibition the wall text with the title of the exhibit call so much my attention. It make me think of how now days there is a conflict between nature and architecture. Honestly, I usually do not put too much attention to architecture, is not that interesting for me. In the recent years this has change a little bit because some close friends are focusing in constructing Eco- friendly, on a communion with nature. I like how this exhibit was divided on the different stages of his life and how his architectural designs evolve during his career. He was a Browning Parker was a celebrity on his days and is sad how today he is barely acknowledge. Probably only architecture students from Florida may reference to his works when he was one of the pioneers of the "single-family" home.

Architectural Photography Wall

Its interesting how construction had change in the course of the years. This exhibition makes me realize that construction has change for bad and we should focus on using local materials and reducing waste. It is amazing how Parker not only work in private projects but he was responsible of iconic buildings in our city such as the Flagler Federal Savings & Loans or the Hope Lutheran Church Sanctuary. I grew up in a house and is sad to see how overpopulation and urban development are replacing cozy houses with cold apartments in buildings and condos. Other interesting aspect of this exhibition was the material use. Parker really thought his materials were a value for his constructions, he mostly use mohogamy, cypress, travertine and limestone. Good materials are key for a successful building and  make history. 

Architect Alfred Browning Parker

This exhibition make me realize how Florida landscape is slowly changing and not necessary for the good. We humans need to respect nature and be conscious about our surroundings. Parker worried about alternative energy and the environment. It's interesting how he was not only an architect but he practice painting and sculpture as well. Also, he pass his knowledge to aspiring architects. 

Works from Alfred Browning Parker

Flagler Federal Savings & Loan

Hope Lutheran Church Santuary

At History Miami

Landscapes: Small Works - The Street

" The Street" Small works

For this small works project I decided to switch my way of approaching the past works completely. I had an idea of what I might want to do prior the exploration of the street. I went to this street I used to pass by on my way home when I took the shortcut to avoid traffic, to realize the street wasn't what I thought so I just keep walking until I found something that call my attention. I finally found my street and start by sketching, the street had almost not movement appearing to be ghostly. My drawing was interrupted by unexpected movement from a car that stop on the middle of the road. In that moment  I stop drawing and start to write a description of the actions.  

First drawings on site

Drawing and writing on site

Writing continues

When I was walking back home I start to think on ideas of how to execute the street project. At the end I decided to make an abstract map of the main street surrounded and connected by the other streets I pass by. 

I start to think on a way to complete this task, so I decided to use 3 different triangles colors arrange to resemble the street signs. 

•  Yellow for buidings.
•  Greens for parks or grass.
•  Black for the sidewalk or asphalt.
•  The main street is highlighted with grey.
• The brown drawings represent sewers and leaves.
• The 4 dots on the grey street represent the only 4 cars I saw in the two hours of observation.

Last drawings and reflections

Drawing Continues

First arrangement of  the pieces

Filling up the street

Giving form to the street

Street almost done

Landscapes: Assignments - Identify Strength of The Street for The Garden

I consider my strength of the street was in my decision of thinking outside the box and explore the assignment in a completely different way. I usually think too realistic and I want to do things how I see them (probably is connected with my photographer eye and my passion for documentary photography). I had a initial idea and vision of how I wanted the project but I had to accept that sadly the street I choose was not able to fulfill that concept. I choose to approach the project with an abstract eye and experiment with ideas and known materials in a different context. I want to keep pushing myself to the unknown,  keep exploring  and take advantage of the learning experience in order to grow, maybe find something that I did not think I would enjoy and improve as an artist. 

Landscapes: Assignment - Research of Gardens Images

• Buckminster Fuller: Kick out from Harvard on 1913, join the navy from 1917 -1919, start his own company on 1926 and work on his inventions until his death on 1983.
• Ha - has ( Recessed Walls ): Use on landscapes design to protect the access to the garden.
• Parco dei Mostri:  The park of monsters of Bormazo is located in Bormazo/Italy. The park was created in 1552 as "Villa of wonders".

Echiona, the lions  and the fury

This is my favorite image because of the mythological features and if I can choose a characteristic from the sculpture I will go for the wings. 

• Roman Forum: An ancient Trajan Market/ Plaza located in Rome/Italy. The Forum was important to the social, political and commercial life in the Roman empire. First developed in the 7th century. 

Arch of Septimius Severus

This is my favorite image because of the structure of the arch and the great amount of details.

• Boboli Garden: Is located in Florence/ Italy. The garden was build between the 15th and 19th centuries. 

Grotta Grande ( the Buontalenti Grotto)

This is my favorite image because of the material (stalactites) and the creepy look the whole  sculpture installation has. 

• Jardin du Luxembourg: Is located in Paris/ France and created in 1612. 

Fontaine de Medicis

This is my favorite image because of all the details on the arch and the enclosure with the water.

• Tivoli Garden: is located  near Rome in Italy in an area called Villa d'Este in the town of Tivoli. The idea of the garden was created on 1550 but became a reality on 1560.

Fontana della Rometa

This is my favorite image because the fountain resembles a boat  and is surrounded by beautiful climbing plants.

• Bernini's Four Rivers: Is located in Rome/ Italy and it was design on 1651. 

Bernini's Fontana de Quattro Fiumi

My favorite image of the fountain are the human figures with their facial expressions that surrounds the fountain. 

• Jean Dubuffet's  Jardin d'Emaille: Is located on the Kroller-Muller Museum in The Netherlands. The garden was created in 1974.

Detail of Dubuffet's Installation

My favorite image of this installation is the popping flower that separates from the walking structure.

• Stowe Garden: Is located in Buckingham/ England. The development of the garden start in the 1680's.

The Palladian Bridge

This is my favorite image because of the architectural design  and the way the columns and arch's are used with the environment.

• Stourhead Garden: Is located in Stourton/ England. Created in the 18th century and first opened to the public in 1740's.

The Gothic Cottage

This is my favorite image because  the windows called my attention and I am a big fan of Gothic architecture. 

• Washington D.C. - Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens: The aquatic garden is located on Anacostia Avenue in Washington D.C. The gardens start on the 1880's when Walter Shaw  bought a tiny space of land at the flats of Anacostia river. 

Water lilies blooming on the summer

This is my favorite image because the lilies are full bloom during the summer giving a pop to the garden. Also remind me of Monet Water Lilies.

• Vizcaya Museum: Vizcaya is located in Miami because James Deering wanted an Italian- Renaissance  Style Villa as a winter house. Vizcaya was constructed by James Deering Company " Deering Mc-Cormick Harvester". The first plans to create Vizcaya start in 1910, on 1912 Deering started to purchase the first area of land, on 1914 the construction of the main house started.  Vizcaya is named after the Spanish merchant Vizcaino and is located on Biscayne Bay. 

Selfie at Vizcaya Miami ( 8 months ago approx)

My favorite image from Vizcaya is the main garden because it looks like a labyrinth. 

• Fairchild Tropical Garden: Fairchild gets its name from well known plant explorer, David Fairchild. Fairchild moved to Miami in 1935 and with a group of  plant lovers decided to open a unique 83 acres botanical garden on 1938. The garden is located in Old Cutler Road/ Coral Gables. 

Art and Sculpture Garden

My favorite image from the garden is the art and sculpture that mixed with the beautiful plants creating a beautiful environment. 

Landscapes: Reading - "Green Dreams: Gardens" by Robert Harbison

When  I think of a garden as an image of art it came to my mind the garden design from Edward Scissorshands, I think of outdoor sculpture made with bushes. You cannot compare a drawing or painting of a garden  with the feeling and reactions of been physically inside of a garden. Also, gardens can be consider nature because of the living species but modified by man hands. I admire gardeners because in order to plant and soil successfully it requires certain level of skill. Gardeners need a type of touch(buena mano) to make plants/trees/flowers grow happily in their new environment; they also need to know about climate, soil qualities and the specific ways of rooting so the plant survive. Garden design can be reproduce in other places but you have to consider certain things such as weather, altitude, atmospheric conditions to decide if a plant survive on the new location; for example a Miami palm tree will not survive in a dry/ cold place or in the best case the palm tree may have to adapt  to live. 

Edward Scissorhands Garden

I agree with the idea of gardens been perceive as a close place that set you apart because every time I visit a garden I forget of the outdoor world, focusing only on the nature that surrounds me. It is interesting how gardens had inspire other types of art such as books, movies, performances, etc. I also agree with the perception of natural things seen as sacred and not be able to compared it with man made projects. Sometimes I lost myself with the gardens description from the reading as well with some references of locations. I found interesting how they consider architecture to be able of constructing a garden successfully. Other aspect that called my attention was the analogy of the word path(sentiero) or sendero and the explanation of how it connects in nature. Something appealing from this reading was the relationship of vegetation as a symbolism tool in the creation of the space and in the way humans use it as a method to be able to speak up. 

The secret garden (book cover)

The secret garden (film cover)

Rhinoceros: In Depth Project - Metamorphosis (Medical Arrows)

Vision plan for Metamorphosis

12 Modes of Engagement for Metamorphosis

13 Days plan for Metamorphosis

Meta Plan of Action

Top 3 Modes of Engagement

 This in depth project its been a challenge, This plan was my second idea because I decide the feather and rose plan was too Etsy and decorative. Since this project was release I had in mind that I wanted to do something related to  female power. After changing my mind about the feather and the rose I start to think what other object I can use for this purpose. I thought of using tampons but I did not know how to approach the items since is something so obvious. Then I remember that I had a whole bag of this medical arrows and that I should use them in the name of art. I did my research and I discovered that this medical arrows are sterilization accessories. My connection was between the sterilization and the organ that gives life and birth. I wanted to do something that contrast in order to make it powerful!

Ovary Fail: First Sketch

My first idea was to make an ovary with the medical arrows. 

It was halfway done but I was recommended to 

keep the ovary sacred because of it meaning. 

I debate what I needed to do in order to complete this task successfully and the process was really frustrating. I was running out of time  and just the idea of starting from zero was stressing. At the end I decide to keep the "ovary" piece for my own and start the metamorphosis project from zero. I am going to finish "the ovary"  and keep it for my space as a daily reminder of female power. 

Ovary Fail: Tracing

At the end I decide to start from zero without leaving my concept of "Female Power". I decide to make a conceptual vulva. I feel proud of the final result because I used materials and tools I never used before like a hot gun and spray paint. It was the first time I do something this abstract, but I think it work at my favor. I feel I took the failure of the ovary as an opportunity to grow and experiment. Even with the pressure of running out of time  I enjoy the experience of going out of my comfort zone and try something new. 

Ovary Fail: Unfinished 

The process of the vulva on images:

Drawing of Vulva and Substrate

Arrangement of medical arrows on substrate

Melting Plastic with Hot Gun

The process of the structure

Spray painting the piece

The Final Vulva