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.

Rhino: Readings- A Peoples Art History of the United States by Nicolas Lampert

In the Article A People’s Art History of the United States by Nicolas Lampert I was able to get a better understanding of the power a photographer had in a time that not everyone had access to cameras and technology.It was crucial for society to have artists such as Richard Throssel and Edward S. Curtis portraying scenes from the past and present. Curtis often fabricated Native American scenes conveying a nostalgic and vanishing feeling. While on the other hand Throssel as a Native American himself depicted present-day realities.

People relied on photographs to obtain knowledge and information from the present and past. Curtis was an outsider who created an illusion that Native people were untouched by modernization. However in the same notion he was able convey a sense of vanishment. He was created a false image of the Native American man in the 1900’s. He staged scenes by using wigs and costumes, even editing lighting and night skies. On the other hand Throssel depicted scenes of children in classrooms and reservation houses. Throssel ended up staging scenes that would merely depict everyday life only for lighting and affect purposes while working for the Indian Service. He spread awareness of disease and illness only to help his people become informed of better living situations.

Rhino: Readings- The Rhinoceros from Dürer to Stubbs

In the article The Rhinoceros from Dürer to Stubbs by T.H. Clarke tells the story of a Rhino also referred to as the “unhappy Ganda”. This Rhinoceros travels from Goa to Lisbon and then was  sent off to Rome only to sink to death during the voyage. Rhinos were considered such novelty due to its rareness.

Albrecht Dürer contributed to the popularity of Rhinos by creating a woodblock depiction of a Rhino that truly displayed its character. Almost a clear representation of his essence. However Dürer approached the design of the Rhino in a very decorative and ornamental form by adding armor like designs. Even though Dürer exaggerated certain features and that is why many people referred back to his woodcut for years. It drew up questions on whether or not he had seen a real life Rhinoceros or if he had merely elaborated on a sketch of a Rhino.

Representations of Animals became a necessity due to society's curiosity. It wasn't like people could pick up a phone and search it up on google. This is why there was so many interpretations of Rhinos. People kept elaborating on this idea of a Rhino for years even after naturalistic portraits of Rhinos were created.