Narrative: Reading - What is Comics Poetry? An essay by Alexander Rothman

Marvel Comics Characters

Honestly for me is difficult to see a relationship between comics and poetry, maybe because I see them as individual forms of literature. Yes, I agree both can be used to tell a story. Also, I agree with the idea of comics being more easily to understand rather than poetry and other pieces of reading. Also, people might have  a prejudgment or stereotype against comics. I remember this Chilean comic character known as "Condorito"; this character was really popular in Ecuador during my childhood years but people reading this comic were perceive as uneducated, if you liked "Condorito"you will be associated with low class or construction worker. Other memory from my childhood was the comics placed on the newspaper in the same section with the obituaries, I was reading Mafalda and then 5 minutes after the condolences to the family of an unknown human. 

"Condorito" by Pepo

Now days I believe comics have become more popular and is slowing breaking with the negative associations probably thanks to superheroes and their entertainment production. Comics can be useful to introduce kids to literature, changing the typical idea of readings as something boring. I cannot see comics as a foundation of poetry; it is true that comics and poetry have a similarity on their structure like the shortness of the narrative and the process of repetition but that do not explain the connection. In the other hand I agree that the job of an artist or creator is to make work, it does not matter the way or medium you choose to used to communicate as long as you do it. I was grateful of how at the end of the essay Rothman acknowledge how the term "comic poetry" really is not important, the essential is to work on something different and creative in order to make it attractive. Also, I love how he describes art as an "empathy engine" and how making art create an attachment with the world opening the artist/audience mind. 

"Mafalda" by Quino 

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