Landscapes: In Depth Project- Andria ( Invisible Cities)

Representation of Andria

For this in depth project I decided to choose the city of Andria from Calvino Invisible Cities. Andria call my attention because of the connection the inhabitants of the city have with the stars,planets, moons and constellations. I feel connected and a little influence by the phases of the moon as well.

Other thing that interest me was the personality of the citizens of Andria, the posses two great virtues:

1. Self-Confidence

2. Prudence

They not only think in themselves but in the risks and advantages of their actions in general.

At the beginning I thought of creating a type of planetary system/ constellations with stained glass but then I was afraid it might look too planetary system.

I focus  on the description of the city been artfully and in how the firmament change colors from orange to yellow. Also in how the city and the stars corresponded perfectly. 

The process of covering the lampshade

It was a challenge to stop thinking 2-D  and start working on 3 D stuff. 

I am proud of the process because I've been  experimenting with different techniques  and doing things that I never imagine before. Also, I been searching for different materials and trying to work bigger.  I really enjoy working with the yarn, the duck tape and the tissue paper because they are simple and colorful materials but you can used them in many ways and the result is eye catching. The most complicated part of the piece was the decision of how to arrange the lights so they resemble stars.

The process of adding light

Landscapes: Small Works- The Garden

Sketches and Drawings at Fairchild 1

Sketches and Drawings at Fairchild 2

Sketches and Drawings at Fairchild 3

Sketches and Drawings at Fairchild 4

For the garden assignment I went to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. As soon as I enter the garden I started exploring the space and observe to decide the subject of my next project. I started to starred the trees and I realize all the hanging roots and plants coming out from the trunks of the trees, immediately I knew I wanted to focus on those hanging plants/ roots. 

The process of the hanging tree

 For this small works I decided to used a mixture of new materials, new techniques and material I feel comfortable with. I wanted a relation between my street piece and my garden piece that's why I choose to used 14x17 Bristol paper for both works. I used the felt in my first in depth project but was the first time mixing it with other mediums like the hemp fiber and the yarn. I did not wanted to glue the hemp to the paper so I decided to experiment needling the fiber to the paper. I used the yarn to fill the spaces and to give the sensation of hanging. 

Hanging Tree

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: 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.