Narrative / Zine: In-depth - Box, Objects, Zine

Zine: In-Depth- Container/Context Proposal

The concept of my container is a childproof toy box. I believe that creating a container similar to the idea of a briefcase would reinforce the overall feel of adulthood and development. I want the container to perceive unappealing to children (boring). Extremely minimal and clean to give a sophisticated look to the zine while still being capable to bring out the inner child in adults.

Narrative:Outside Visits- Art Spiegelman

Art Spiegelman is a cartoonist who is best known for his graphic novel Maus. At the Miami Book Fair Spiegelman focused mostly on his current work. His current book is called The Parade and it is an artist odyssey of Si Lewins paintings. It was created to represent the marching parades of people from the end of WWI to WWII to then end at the Korean War. Spiegelman stated that this was his way of sending a message to my generation and future generations to come. The end of one war is the beginning of another and to avoid this cycle we must be aware. That is why he created the book in an accordion format, so that the painting/pages speak to one another. They are passing the message down from one painting to the next.

Art Spiegelman also chose to not include any text making the book's message based off the images inside of it. The images are so powerful and have so much meaning that to add text would just distract from the true message of the work. The images stand strong on its own and not using test also it to be “read” and interpreted by any cultural group in the world. Art Spiegelman is a very successful cartoonist because he is not afraid of what others might think. He has a purpose and a message he wants to get across and he does not hesitate to do so even if that means breaking the rules.

Narrative: Outside Visits- Leela Corman

I visited the Short Stories, Big Ideas presentation with Leela Corman and other masters of short-form comics, narrative illustration, and webcomics such as Drew Weing and Frank Viva at the Miami Book Fair. Jessica Abel moderated the entire discussion, keeping it at a constant flow and engaging these artists to question themselves and their work making them elaborate on their comics underlined meaning.  Leela Corman's collection of short stories called We all Wish for Deadly Force is much spoken about in the discussion. Corman approached each question Abel gave her very humorous and lightly. However the content of the book is based on devastating personal loss, World War II in Poland, and the beauty of belly dancing.

Leela Corman based her book mostly on personal experiences. She stated that her family was in the Holocaust and that many studies show epigenetic inheritance in many holocaust survivors offspring. She then expanded on the idea of transgenerational trauma which is the idea that trauma marks are passed down from generation to generation. Meaning that if for any reason your ancestors underwent some type of trauma the same trauma marks can be found in your DNA. Corman also discussed her illustration technique. She explained that she was professionally trained as a painter and that is where all her classical skill derives from. When Corman decided to go into cartooning she quickly realized she had to abandon her classical skill and go back to the start. As she continued illustrating she soon came across watercolor and that is when she was able to find a middle ground, a place where she could mix the two.

Narrative: Small Works - Mood/Action/Topic

joyful•facebook•argument 

Narrative: Small Works - Sequential Art

Narrative: Readings- Comics Poetry

This article by Alexander Rothman explored a concept of Comics Poetry that I had little to no knowledge of. This hybrid form that comics and poetry create has allowed many works of art to be interpreted differently. Unlike novels and essays, poetry is merely just words without the need to have an argument or plot. This allows illustrations to contradict, reinforce, change, or complete poetry. It gives room to play with words and imagery allowing the reader/ audience to unpuzzle and discover their own meaning. According to Rothman poetry's “basic unit is juxtaposition: place two or more images next to each other, and some semiotic impulse in our minds can’t help but connect them. As humans we always attempt to find connections especially if things are arranged sequentially or in an array. I personally agree with Rothman that “an under-appreciated aspect of comics is the reader's ability to apprehend a page or spread all at once.”

The way we read comics poetry deals a lot with the way the artist placed and arranged the text and images on the page or spread. It can either give or change meaning to images or aspects of the text. Warren Craghead placed the word “listen” above a drawing of a WII cannon for example making us question the placement or word choice in that case. A comics poetry should not simply just reproduce literary aspects but reinforce or change it like Craghead stated “duplication is deadweight”. I believe that Rothman gave a broad enough definition and explanation of comic poetry that it has allowed me to make my own assumptions and conclusions from it.

Landscapes: In-Depth- Invisible Cities

Landscapes: Small Works- The Garden

Landscapes- Small Works: Prose/Poetry

Landscape: Small Works- The Street

Rhinoceros: In-Depth - Metamorphosis

Landscapes: Outside Visits- Visionary Metropolis: Tony Garnier's Une Cité Industrielle

The exhibit Visionary Metropolis: Tony Garnier's Une Cité Industrielle at the Wolfsonian displays architectural plans for an ideal city during the industrial revolution.The concepts derived from Tony Garniers motivation to create a city that could change the conditions of urban living. Throughout the collection you see a extensive amount of scenes from Une Cité Industrielle that vary.  These scenes appear as if Garnier took a walk throughout this imaginary city, documenting houses, parks, sidewalks and even aerial views of the city.

Tony Garnier is meticulous in his plans and designs. He created a world of his own that reflected the social needs of the people making this body of work so significant. It impacted the way other architects and reformers approached their work. He integrated fitness centers, city parks, and sanitation systems throughout the city. Garnier impacted architecture in many ways that are still being taught and used today.

Landscapes: Outside Visits- The Discipline of Nature

The exhibit The Discipline of Nature displayed many works by Architect Alfred Browning Parker. Alfred Browning took a huge role in modern architecture in Florida around the 1942 till his death in 2011. Parker was essential in establishing architectural principles. He was able to intertwine nature with modern architecture creating this sense of paradise.  He was able to transform the concept of a family home into a grown-ups treehouse. Parkers consideration to Florida’s nature  allowed him to innovate architectural concepts and push the boundaries.

Parkers family homes are scattered throughout Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. Hidden in the mangroves lie beautiful homes that interact with the trees and groves surrounding them. Parker created rooms using trees as walls ,by using this to his advantage he was capable of creating a tranquil atmosphere. I believe that the work of Parker should be revisited considering the resources and environmental impact it would make.  I personally love the works of Alfred Browning Parker and believe that they should be preserved from demolition.

Landscapes: Exercises- Research

• Buckminster Fuller--When was he working?

-Buckminster is considered a renowned 20th century inventor who worked from 1914-1983.

• Ha-has (recessed walls)--where do you find these?

-Ha-Has can be found anywhere that is trying to prevent access without obstructing the view.

• Parco del Mostri--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

-Located in Bomarzo in northern Lazio, Italy.

-The gardens were created during the 16th century

• Roman Forum--What function did it have? Where, when, what's your favorite image?

-Served as a public space in which activities such as political,social and religious events occurred

-Located in the center of Roman towns/cities

-The Roman Forum was used from 800 BC to 600 AD (approx..1,400 years)

• Boboli Garden--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

-Located in Florence, Italy behind the Pitti Palace

-Boboli Garden was made in 1550

• Jardin du Luxembourg--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

-Located in Paris, France

-Jardin du Luxembourg was made in 1612

• Tivoli Garden (Italy)--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

- Located in Tivoli, Italy near Rome

- Created in the 16th century

• Bernini's Four Rivers--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

-Located in the Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy

-Designed in 1651 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini for Pope Innocent X

• Jean Dubuffet's Jardin d'Emaille--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

-Located in Gelderland, Netherlands

-Made in 1974 after a 1968 model

• Stowe Garden--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

-Located in Buckingham, United Kingdom

-Opened in 1683

• Stourhead Garden--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

-Located in Wiltshire, England

-Opened in 1725

• Washington DC (Hillwood Gardens)--Where, when, what's your favorite image?

-Located in Washington DC

-Founded in 1973 (Hillwood Gardens)

• Viscaya Museum--Why is this in Miami?  What is it named after? Who is responsible for it being built?  Where, when, what's your favorite image?

-It is James Deering’s summer home that is why it is located in Florida (climate).

-The estate's name refers to the northern Spanish province Vizcaya

-It was made for businessman James Deering by Paul Chalfin (design director)

-Located in Coconut Grove (Miami, Florida)

-Built between 1914 and 1923

• Fairchild Tropical Garden--Why is this in Miami?  Who is it named after?  Where, when, what's your favorite image?

-The garden saves tropical plant diversity (Miami is Tropical) & Dr.Fairchild retired in Miami

-Fairchild was named after one of the most famous plant explorers in history, David Fairchild

-Located in Coral Gables, Florida

-Opened in 1983

Landscapes: Readings- Green Dreams: The Garden

In the reading Green Dreams: Gardens by Robert Harbison the author believes that gardens are like paintings, a representation of someone's ideal. The two can be altered to fit anyone's and everyone's expectation of landscapes. The gardens are are also affected depending on the space and location it's in. Harbison uses metaphors throughout the reading that in some way alter the way I visualize these gardens. It makes it difficult to understand some parts of the reading however It gives life and color. 

He goes in too such detail on several gardens around the world that I start to visualize images, paintings, sculptures and pictures. The author explains in great detail how as humans we are constantly imitating and recreating scenes from nature to fit into our societies. The way he connects this to gardens is extremely successful, giving me a clear visual between the two. 

Pattern and Ornament: In-Depth- Cardboard

Rhino: Small Works- Portrait/Propaganda

Rhino: Small Works- Creature/Other

Rhino: Outside Visits- Beatriz Santiago Muñoz

Beatriz Santiago Muñoz’s work demonstrates several different artistic elements. She is an audio and video artists. Beatriz allows the viewer to interact and feel welcomed into the space. She creates an illusion that the camera is nothing more than person part of the group. However the entire time I was in the space I felt like an intruder, seeing something I was not supposed to. The exhibition was mysterious and magical with mirrors and videos displayed on every corner.

Her presentation of the work shows preparation it is apparent that the artist build a space where u would lose sense of time and place. Beatriz used several mirrors to distort and manipulate images and videos. A technological mix with nature. You get the feel that this is taking place somewhere in the Caribbean. The language spoken and the tropical environment gives us context. Documenting scenes from nature allowed her to introduce her roots and gives people the chance to breakdown and interpret it for themselves.