Students Love Technology

I definitely  fall within a lot of these statistics, but I adapt very slowly to all this new technology.

Before I Die: An Art Project

I recently stumbled upon this project which I find really unique and a great reflection on a community in New Orleans. Candy Chang took this abandoned house's wall and wrote 'Before I want to...' and allowed community members to write their deepest desire. Read all about it here. These are a few of the pictures of the project on the website. What do you want to do, before you die?

So, is Foursquare still a startup?

I love infographics. And I love Foursquare. Best of both worlds. Congrats to the Foursquare team for everything they've done these past few years.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

Alexander McQueen (British, 1969–2010). Dress, autumn/winter 2010–11.
All photograph from exhibit website.

It wasn't until his untimely death in 2010 that I first heard the name Alexander McQueen. Earlier this year, with the wedding of the year, the world learned that Kate Middleton's dress was by Sarah Bernhard current head of Alexander McQueen's label. This year, New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art paid tribute to McQueen in their annual Costume Institute's summer exhibit, Savage Beauty.

The much hyped exhibit is worth all the buzz. Thinking that the lines would be short in the early morning I trekked to the Met only to be in line for two hours. Fortunately the line took me through galleries of Near Eastern art which I had never seen, and one of my all time favorite galleries, the 19th century European paintings and sculptures (including Rodin, the greatest of sculptures if you ask me).

Not only was the work a true beauty, full of excitement and with beautiful detail, but it was one of the best curated exhibits I've ever seen (by curator Andrew Bolton). Each gallery captured a different essence of McQueen, and in the end the exhibit gives, what I believe, is an accurate portrayal of the great mind behind this intriguing pieces. The background music was exceptionally well chosen and the displays - from an industrial setting, to a Scottish hall, to a hall of mirrors - portrayed the perfect background for each of the pieces.

In one of the quotations scattered through out the exhibit, McQueen said he wanted to be the person to define the woman's silhouette and the person to define fashion in the 21st century. Even with his early death, it is clear that he has left a legacy that will inspire hundreds of artists and designers empowering women in a new way.

If you're in New York sometime between now and it's closing on August 7th, you must pay a vist to the Met, any wait time is worth the wait. For more on the exhibit click here.

Romantic Gothic and Cabinet of Curiosities


Romantic Nationalism

The End of a Wonderful Adventure

Harry and I
Almost ten years ago I came across Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and as soon as I finished the first book, I knew Harry would be a part of my life. Harry Potter defined my generation, it brought me closer to the world of books, fantasy and innumerable valuable life lessons from bravery and courage to friendship and death. Yes, as a 'full grown' adult, I can say these may be cliches, but let's be honest, anybody who grew up with me learned a lesson or two from famous boy wizard, even making a quote from the first book the quote on my senior yearbook page.

Today, this adventure came to an end. I wasn't a part of the phenomenon when the first four books were published, but became one of the millions of fans who joined Harry in his fifth year at Hogwarts. I remember being out of town when the fifth book came out, frustrated to have spend a few days away from the book that eagerly awaited in the mailbox back home. Then came the sixth book on a day were I was miserably sick, and the Half-Blood Prince was possibly the best medication. For the last book, I came all out, planned a trip to the nearest Barnes & Noble with six of my friends and together we traveled three hours to be a part of the magical midnight party, where silence followed for two days as everyone read their book. As each movie came out the excitement grew, culminating in one epic final movie. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is the glorious finale to ten magical years.

The Last Battle
Prior to seeing the last installment in the Harry Potter series, I made sure to watch all previous movies and reread the seventh book in its entirety. When the time came, just today at 12:15am, I was ready.

The movie theater, in Union Square in NYC was unreal. Crowds gathered outside. Fans came in in costume. The theater's multiple theaters were all sold out. I came prepared to cry through out the entirety of the movie, and most importantly, I came with a judgmental eye to really appreciate this movie - how true would it be to the second half of the final book?

For the most part Steve Kloves, the screenwriter for seven of the eight movies, did an exceptional job with the adaptation of JK Rowling's story. The dialogue was generally intact or true to its roots, most changes seemed to be made towards a greater good. Artistically the movie was beautiful, with its astonishing effects, beautiful cinematography and overall exceptional art direction.

The cast did an incredible job, and it is truly wonderful to have seen the cast intact for the most part since Sorcerer's Stone and all the young actors have blossomed into talented young actors - perhaps creating the exciting generation of actors, which the adult actors currently hold, for the future. Dan Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint proved to be true actors, the characters grew with them as well as the talent and skill. Perhaps one of the most surprising things in this movie is how the director and producers managed to get all those actors from previous movies for quick cameos in this movie. Actors like Emma Thompson as the eccentric Professor Trelawney, Gemma Jones as Madame Pomfrey or Alfie Enoch as Dean Thomas, played no significant part in the last installment of the movie yet they were there, they belong at Hogwarts, creating true scenes rather than scenes full of extras. Alan Rickman was exceptional as Snape, exceeding all expectations one more time. But I must say, I was mostly excited for Maggie Smith's Professor McGonagall. This woman beat cancer between films, and she shined in this movie like never before. I have always been a fan of Professor McGonagall, and Maggie Smith was the perfect casting choice and her role developed beautifully through out this film. Although she always kept a distance from Potter, unlike many who treated him like part of their family, you could tell how much she cares for him, really standing up to defend him, to me perhaps one of the most exciting points in the movie. And one of the biggest surprises of the story, Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis), rose to the occasion and saved the day.

So was there anything that bothered me from the movie? (If you are planning on seeing the movie, better stop reading here). Of course, but overall this was a great movie experience. I knew the story by Aberforth about Dumbledor's past would be scraped from the movie, but to dismiss it by having Harry say he is not interested in his relationship with his brother is simply ludicrous, as through out the entire novel, Harry questions who Dumbledor really was, the man he knew as his mentor or someone else. Towards the end of the novel, Narcissa Malfoy has a change of heart, abandoning the Dark Lord's side to join the good side and protect her family. However, in the movie, the Malfoy's intentions seam to change out of fear, creating a the family to leave cowardly rather than thinking of the greater good. As many subplots in these movies, the return of Percy Weasley to fight alongside his family vanished from the story, which would have been a valuable moment to see the Weasleys together one last time before Fred's sad death. The fan loved line 'Not my daughter you bitch' was almost everything we could hope for, but where was the build up to this? Just a few more seconds of Ginny dueling Bellatrix would have been enough. I did enjoy Julie Water's smirk as Mrs. Weasley after killing Bellatirx; in my opinion it seemed as she broke the fourth wall just for a second and took a moment to take in the appraisal of fans. The final battle between Harry and Voldemort was an exceptional scene visually, but the book has some of the most personal dialogues Harry and the Dark Lord ever hold, and most of it was scrapped, truly a missed opportunity of both David Yates (director) and Kloves. Lastly, the movie needed a moment were Harry is applauded for his bravery and courage by his peers, and the ending scene in Dumbledor's office, where all the portraits of the past headmasters applaud Harry was sorely missed from the movie.

Many might disagree with me on this, but some of the changes from the book were the right moves, or at least welcomed changes. I for one did enjoy the change from the Shrieking Shack to the Boat House for Snape's death. Story wise, I don't believe it made a difference, and visually it did create a more poetic and visually stunning scene. Lastly, at first I was hesitant about the scene with the sacking of Snape, but in the end it turned to be one of my favorite scenes, having Harry confront Snape in front of the entire school, while having McGonagall there to be the first to fight for Harry as the battle approaches.

The closing installment to the Harry Potter series was an exceptionally well produced movie, where we see the story come to the end we've all been waiting for. Through eight movies we saw our favorite student witches and wizards grow and develop, and the birth of a wonderful generation of new actors for Britain. I cannot wait to see this movie once more and to share it with my children one day.

The End of an Era - Beginning of a Legend

Over twenty years ago JK Rowling began to write the story of Harry Potter. We all know the story, so I won't go into detail. But, fast forward to July 2011, when Harry Potter premiers it's last of eight films. Yes tonight is the night. Harry has become a phenomenon and has been a part of many of us. Through books, movies, toys, food and even a theme park, it is foolish not to acknowledge the impact JK Rowling's world has had on us.

All of this would not have been the success it is today if it weren't for the fans it has created. Yes, most of the time I question the passion a lot of fans have - camping out at movie premiers, dressing up at every occasion, purchasing every possible piece of memorabilia - but today, just a few hours from the last movie, I have immersed myself in this extremist fan base. This week I wasn't just an avid reader of the book, a faithful follower of the movies and someone thankful for JK Rowling's world. No, this week, my world revolved around Harry's quest to destroy Voldemort. I rewatched all six movies, reread the book, and followed every media source covering the last battle. I purchased my movie tickets, put on my Gryffindor shirt and I'm ready for tonight.

Tonight is not only the culmination of a long awaited story, but it is also the time we must say thank you to all the fans who took there own creative minds and joined the Potter world. Here are some of my old, new and favorite fan pieces pertaining to the world of the boy who lived.


The Harry Potter Puppet Pals - Even at London's premier, as Alan Rickman walked down the red carpet, the crowd went wild, "Snape, Snape, Severus Snape, Snape, Snape...."


HELLO: Harry Potter Book of Mormon Parody - Book of Mormon meets Harry's friends.


Harry Potter: Marchin On - I'll have to admit, I've seen this video multiple times, and every time it gets to me.

Harry Potter Movies By The Numbers, An Infographic




And these are just a few graphs my friend Abbyella shared with me.

A Much Neglected Blog

It's been almost three months since I posted on this blog, so it's about time I get back to writing and sharing my thoughts with my few readers. The past few months have been both busy and quite free, so actually there is no excuse why I've been a bad blogger. So instead of writing a series of posts, I'll bring you up to date through one post.

Personally I have...

...finished my thesis. Well, at least I presented a successful thesis which was received mostly well by my critics (turns out I want to rework it some more, and I should be done by the end of the end of next week). Thesis Review was much more simple than expected. I was scheduled to present mid-morning, but due to my classmate's lack of organization I presented first to just a few critics: my two professors, my two advisers and a guest critic, who was much less terrifying than when he taught me in first year.

...graduated. Yes, five years at Pratt have come and gone. As much of a cliché, it does feel like I started just yesterday. Maybe I am wiser, more mature, and ready to become an architect, but to me, it seem like I just got started. As much as I try to stay positive, the ceremony itself was quite uneventful and anticlimactic . I expect Pratt to step up for my friends' upcoming graduation in the next few years (Barclay Center, could the rumors be true?)

...I turned 24 - oh, hello mid-twenties! My birthday was uneventful, part of my roommate's graduation weekend, so I took a step back and made sure it was her weekend. Some of my friends from Mexico did celebrate me later on in the week which made it into a simple happy birthday week.

...kept strong as I look for a job. This job market really is terrible, but I'm determined to stay in New York and start my career here. Wish me luck.

I wish everybody a happy and restful Fourth of July Weekend! Go out and enjoy the outdoors!

Much Needed Reminder

This week, was not the best of weeks, but it's over and it's time to move on. But before I do, I just need a reminder to just smile.

Smile
Charlie Chaplin Version
Performed by the Cast of Glee

Smile, though your heart is aching Smile, even though it’s breaking When there are clouds in the sky you’ll get by If you smile through your fear and sorrow Smile and maybe tomorrow You’ll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile what’s the use of crying
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you’ll just
Smile

Children Toys Marketing

I found this word cloud on the dailywh.at earlier today. The image on the top displays words used in over fifty children toys ads aimed towards boys while the one in the bottom is for girls. The creator of this word cloud, Crystal Smith atThe Achilles Effect says that this is not an "exhaustive record, it's really just a starting point, but the results certainly are interesting."

What should we take from this? It certainly is interesting how disparately different they are, and overall surprising to see in the twentieth century, where more and more adults aim for an equality between men and women. If we want equality, maybe it's time to battle the toy industry.

Is there rehab for technology?

If there is, I need it. Although, I've been surviving without Facebook for over two weeks now, and I must say, it feels great.

Earasing the Mona Lisa

From Replaced Mona Lisa, via Today and Tomorrow.

So what would happen if you erased the famed Mona Lisa and left nothing but the landscape behind her?

This is what Mike Ruiz came up with using Photoshop Content Aware-Fill tool, and then had the image was sent to a painting manufacturer in China. So props to Mike Ruiz for trying this out. But is this really art? All he used was a digital tool, then didn't even attempt himself at painting it. No oil technique, no silk screening, nothing like that. So how do we value art nowadays? He is not the first to do this, and surely won't be the last.

Even the Cat is Judging Me

Facebook Misses Me

It's been 16 days since I last logged into my Facebook account. Facebook is not happy.

It's Aprils Fools Day - and the Interwebs is Having it's Fun

If you check out Hulu or Google today, you'll see how internet programmers had their fun.

Hope you had a good day!

No Time to Procrastinate

So yeah, thesis has been kicking my butt. In brief, my degree project is is about defining citizenship through architecture. I chose to attempt at designing a building that defines international citizenship, and what a better site to do this than the United Nations Headquarters? Well, choosing a site that doesn't allow you to access it for the most part was a big mistake. Competing with a back drop with the buildings of William Harrison, LeCorbusier, Oscar Niemeyer and the others - well quite the challange. What do I know, I'm just a college student?!

So now there is no time to blog, no time for procrastinating. I even gave up Facebook, and it's driving me crazy! The worst is that it has taken over my life. I dream with the UN, I wake up and it's the first thing I think about it - the last thing I think about before getting to sleep. I did have a dream though, where I designed just like the do in Inception. That was exciting.

Oh well, there's just one month and I gotta get through it. Wish me luck!

Christo & Jean Claude: A Partnership Built With Love

Jean Claude and Christo at the NYC Gates installation.

Umbrellas, Japan

Wrapped Reichstag, Berlin, Germany

Today at school we were lucky to have a lecture by the famous installation artist Christo. I was excited to go to the lecture, but since I have been sick for the past two weeks and haven't gotten much sleep, I must admit I was not awake through the whole lecture. But when I was awake, it was truly one of the best lectures I've heard in the last five years at Pratt.

So I like to boast that two years ago, I was lucky enough to attend an event where Christo and Jean Claude were to attend, and they were going to be seated at my table. Unfortunately they did not make it, only to find out a couple months later, that Jean Claude had passed away only a few weeks after said event. I first learned about their work when I lived in France, prior to attending the famed Venice Biennale in 2003, I learned for the first time what installation art was. And I must say, their work is one of the few examples of installations I really appreciate. To meet them would have been exhilarating, but alas, I did not get to do so.

Today's lecture felt more like a conversation with Christo. We've all had a conversation with an old family member who is very sane but quirky with whom we have conversations, questioning their lucidness throughout the conversation, but realizing how well they are in the end. Christo first gave an introduction on stage, only to then step down take a seat and talk about his work from his seat. He argued with his colleague, having difficulty with the slide presentation. The true value of his lecture was the hour he spent taking to students, faculty and administration during the Q&A.

For me the highlight of this event was when he spoke about Jean Claude. We've heard of so many partnerships who are built as business and personal relationship, only to have it fall apart in the end. But Jean Claude and Christo shared a special relationship since first meeting in Paris in 1958 - that was a 50 year relationship, and their love is reflected in their work and in their continuous collaboration. Even today, after Jean Claude's passing, Christo still speaks about how she is part of the work, how it's not his work, but it's both of theirs. It was truly inspiring to hear him talk very honestly about the relationship which created some of the most astonishing work we've seen in the past 50 years.

Why I Was Disappointed by the Oscars

My Oscar night consisted of some wine,
Eleni's Oscar cupcakes and school work.

If we look back at 2010 and see the movies nominated for best film, it’s hard to find any movies that really stood out and made movie history. Yes, there were good movies nominated last year, but let’s be honest, competition was slim.

Over this past year, I feel as if the movie industry had a one-eighty; most of the ten nominated films were actually very strong movies, regardless of their political standing towards the academy. With such a strong year for movies, I can only say that the culminating moment of Hollywood missed a great opportunity to celebrate such a strong year. Let’s look at Oscar nights step by step.

The Red Carpet

Photos via IMDB and Getty Images

ABC has been home to the Academy Awards ever since I can remember (and they’ve just announced their new agreement until 2020) yet their red carpet reporters lacked personality, charm and interest. The whole transmission was scarcely saved by Tim Gunn’s excitement on the runway. Now, let’s be honest, we all watch the red carpet for the fashion. This was not a year of fashion (the highlights are extremely brief). Natalie Portman should have taken a cue from Catherine Zeta Jones’ 2003 dress – she knows hot to show off a pregnancy on the red carpet. Overall the women’s fashion was nothing new, daring or exciting. No worst dressed, no great dresses, just extremely bland for most of the night. And where were all those celebrities we actually care about? Yes, many of the strong A-List crowd had nothing to do there, but their presence at the Oscars is what makes us watch this event. Publicist, next year, make your clients dress up and walk down the carpet.

The Ceremony

Photos via IMDB and Getty Images

So yes, this year’s ceremony was not anywhere as good as other years. First of all, the overall production was disappointing. The past two years the Academy used David Rockwell’s exquisite refined set. This year’s montage of Hollywood history was borderline tacky. The potpourri mismatch of sets did not align with the elegance of what the award show is (from everything from the color palette to the closing set of The Wizard of Oz’s Emerald City).

The choice of hosts never worried me, or well, Anne Hathaway never worried me. I feel her charming personality, talent and youthful nature were a good fit for a host. She may not be a comedienne, but with the right lines, she could have been just wonderful. James Franco, on the other hand, is a bizarre creature, even for Hollywood standards. Hathaway worked as best as she could, I feel, while Franco seemed bored, uninterested, and well, high. The writing for the overall show was quite disappointing. Why didn’t they give Hathaway a strong musical number? We all know she could do it? Why didn’t Franco show his humor seen in his movies like Pineapple Express? There was no engagement with the audience, making the ceremony lack any emotion.

Some of the strong highlights where the original song presentations, and the acceptance speeches of people like Aaron Sorkin, Melissa Leo and Colin Firth and Celine Dion's Smile. Helen Mirren and Russell Brand’s introduction to best foreign film was quite entertaining and Hathaway’s monologue on Hugh Jackman’s lack of participation during the ceremony was also enjoyable. The auto tuned musical sequence was entertaining yet somewhat out of place. A strong musical number, with true Hollywood glamour and magic would have been ideal. The closing number by the PS 22 choir was beautifully done, but having seen their other songs on YouTube, I have to say, it was just a sweet song and lacked power.

The Winners

Photos via IMDB and Getty Images

By the time the Oscars roll around, the winners are no surprise. The King’s Speech was the picture of the year with Colin Firth taking the best actor nod as well as Tom Hooper for his directing. Both Melissa Leo and Christian Bale took the awards for supporting acting in The Fighter. Naturally, the music and adapted screenplay went to The Social Network, and if Toy Story 3 wouldn’t have won for best animated feature, this may have been the last time I watch this award ceremony.

Now there’s many who are disappointed on The Social Network’s loss, but I am one of those who stood behind The King’s Speech since the day I saw it. Yes, it’s easy to say that the movie won because it’s a period piece, with delicate, beautiful costumes and addresses royalty. Yes, the Academy loves that. But there is more to The King’s Speech than just that.

All this season we’ve heard how The Social Network is the movie that defines this generation. But what does it really define: the greed our young generation seeks to achieve, the inability to establish true inter-personal relationships, the digital era we live in? Yes, this movie is extremely relevant, but is relevancy the definition of the best picture? Through out the movie, it’s hard to like most of the characters, or to relate to them. It’s an intriguing movie but in the end, could the viewers relate to it?

The King’s Speech on the other hand is a movie where the audience can relate. Colin Firth’s King George VI has a problem to overcome, a problem that allows us to relate in our own personal way. We can all relate to that challenge, a challenge we are fearful of and we can get through it by true perseverance and the support of those closest to us. Today, in this economy, in this state of world affairs, we also look up to our leaders, and we want to be able to stand behind them. So in the end, I feel that this move can be just as relevant as The Social Network and the time period it is set in, is not what defines the movie. Yes, the Academy loves a good period piece, and so do I, but honestly, The King Speech is more than just another period piece.

I think that in the end we can all acknowledge a great year in movies, and I wish that the academy had produced a ceremony that reflected this year’s achievements.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Oscar Night

The Oscars is my favorite non-official holiday! I'll be back with thoughts on the the ceremony later tonight!

Who's Your Cupid?

Sometimes I feel like doing this

Invisible Man, Jeff Wall, 1999-2000
Based on Ralph Waldo Ellison's Invisble Man

Sometimes I feel like just hibernating from the rest of the world, even if my greatest fear in life is complete loneliness. There's something about this image that attracts me to it. But I must say, if this ever become me, I'd keep my place much tidier. For real.

Since it is Valentine's Day and All

Since it is Valentine's Day and all, might as well listen to the most appropriate mash up of love songs ever.

Grammy's Night

As I watched the Grammys tonight (for the first time in my life) I had a lot to say. I tweeted some of it, I shared some of it with a friend on IM. He thought I was pretty funny, so I thought I'd share.

Movie Review: A Disappointing Swan

Natalie Portman in Darren Arnofsky's 2010 Black Swan.

So I’m a little delayed on this review, so here it goes.

A little over two weeks ago I went to see Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan, and I must say, I was disappointed with the movie. Don’t get me wrong it was a very good movie, but somehow I expected a lot more from it.

The acting was overall well executed; Natalie Portman was stunning and executed the role of Nina beautifully. However, the script should have shown us more of the black swan. There was too much focus of the fearful timid Nina. The audience needed to see more of the transformation, more of the black swan. I mean, isn’t that what excites the audience? I wish the character of Vincent Cassel, the company’s director had more time and greater part in the story. His character, although strong, lacked depth, and I wanted to see more of him. He is an excellent actor who was not used to its full potential. If he would have seduced Nina, it would have fallen under a cliché, but I still wanted it, the writing should have played and developed this. I wanted to see how Nina reacted; I wanted to see her get caught in the moment turning into the black swan as the white swan fights back. The scenes with Mila Kunis were amongst the strongest and most interesting. She played a strong contrasting character in contrast to Portman’s white swan.

Overall, the movie barely pushed boundaries. The much heard word of mouth disappointed me. The weakness lies within the story. We saw too much of Nina’s white swan, and after some time, it’s just tiring. Why would the writers tell us the story of Swan Lake? Through out the movie, we can see how this is a contemporary version of the famous ballet. Why do I need someone to hold my hand and guide me through something that the movie is already showing me, it’s the writers doubting the audience’s ability to make the connection (wait, is the voice of my roommate?). I feel cheated by the writers.

One of my greatest problems with this movie was the music, especially at the beginning. From the beginning I was tense, fearful and stressed. But I couldn’t understand why? Why was I stressed over a young ballerina who lacked confidence? I should have felt curious, I should have wanted to cheer her on, but all I could feel was an inexplicable stress. As the movie progresses that feeling should have grown, there was a reason for it, but from the beginning it was unnecessary.

The cinematography was beautiful, perhaps the strongest element in the movie. It balanced elements of art movies, a psychological thriller and the Oscar favorite elements of drama. Lastly, the ballet was stunning. Benjamin Millepied’s chorography was exquisite through out the entire movie. I don’t know if it’s the innovative chorography that the company’s director kept promising to his contributors, but it is with out a doubt choreography that engaged me and exalted feelings one seeks in a ballet performance.

--

A note on the MPAA: This fall there was quite the drama over Blue Valentine NC-17 rating for having a sex scene that went beyond an R rating. Surprisingly so, this kind of sex scene was also feature between two woman and more explicitly in Black Swan. But no one uttered a word regarding this scene. Is a balding Ryan Gossling trying to make love to his wife (played by Michelle Williams) far more explicit than two beautiful women in a passionate scene?

February is Library Lover's Month?

Seattle Public Library, Seattle
OMA + LMN

Biblioteca José Vasconcelos, Mexico City
Taller de Arquitectura X

Real Gabinete Português de Leitura, Rio de Janiero
Rafael de Silva e Castro

Beineke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, New Heaven, Connecticut
SOM

A friend of mine sent me a link. I'm studying architecture, she is studying library sciences. If we'd work together, we'd make babies like these. It's disappointing that out of these photos, the one photo I don't like is the library in Mexico city. It looks like one of those libraries we designed in our second year studio class: it looks great in a model, not so much once built and it's probably a librarian's nightmare. To me the collaboration between OMA + LMN in Seattle is perfection. Having studied this library a few years ago, I feel this project captures what society needs today. A library is not only a storage for books. It should interact with the community and promote education. The Bineke library to me is one of the best buildings ever designed by SOM. It's elegant, sober and simply beautiful. Yale is one lucky school. As for the 19th century library in Rio, well, if I'd have a castle, I'd want a library just like that. It's like the real version of the library Belle gets in Beauty and the Beast. Anyone who reads would dream of such library.

Speaking of reading, I need to do that more. I rarely give myself the time to do so. I just picked up a new book and hope to finish it by the end of the month. Review to come soon. Time calls it the "novel of the decade." We shall see.

15 year ago...

Fifteen years ago Broadway changed for ever.
Fifteen years ago today Rent opened on Broadway.
Fifteen years ago Jonathan Larson died.

Rent is perhaps one of them most influential musicals of the past years, and it is perhaps one of the most influential musicals I've seen. The music is powerful, inspirational, and bold. Who can't remember the cast's interpretation of Seasons of Love, or the pretty much epic argument between Maureen and Joanne in Take Me or Leave Me? Growing up in (non-diverse) Mexico, this was perhaps one of the first times I saw an actual diverse group of people coexisting together and accepting each other for who they are. They may be bohemians, and unconventional to society's norms, but they definitely provoke the audience to think.

Jonathan Larson took risks when it came to writing a musical unlike anything seen on Broadway. He has inspired countless musicians, playwrights, actors and a long list of individuals inspired by his work. He's certainly one of those people who are gone too soon.

Perpective Lyrique

PERSPECTIVE LYRIQUE from 1024 on Vimeo.

First the streets of Paris (at least in Inception), now the facades of Lyon. In December, the Théatre des Celestins was the location of an unlikely phenomenon in the architecture world: a classical Beaux-Arts building smushed into a Gehry-esque blob. And all thanks to the vocal patterns of a very captive audience.

1024 Architecture, the duo who invented the oral video-mapping, first concentrated on simple but effective theatrical lighting . They described their installation Perspective Lyrique as focusing on “the interaction between body, space, sound, visual, low-tech and hi-tech, art and architecture.” According to Co.Design, the architects “created a custom program that would analyze the tones in an audience-member’s voice and then mathematically apply it as a deformation to the image in real time.”

-Via Architizer Blog

A Day of Cooking

Today was my first day off since I started classes this week. To wind down what was a pretty relaxing start to my last semester in college I decided to cook something I don't have time to cook through out the week. (Plus I get to put aside my thesis work just a little longer!) I went to my go-to college cookbook, Martha Stewart's Great Food Fast. This seems to be the staple book for me when it comes to cooking. My mother's base book is the Joy of Cooking, for others it's Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. To me, it's a book with good food, fast and with a picture next to the recipe! (Hey, I'm a visual person). What I learned today: cook books lie. A recipe's estimated time is never accurate. This soup's recipe I made says it take 20 minutes prep time. Peeling carrots alone was 10! Never trust a cook book with time. Just make sure you've got plenty of time to enjoy the kitchen.

Chinga goes BOOM!

Shanghai, China. 1990 & 2010. Via The Daily Wh.at

Over the past few years we've all heard of the architectural boom China has been going through. Beijing's 2008 Olympics were a clear example of what this Asian dragon can achieve. I've seen countless photos of the developments, the new towers and the impressive new master plans envisioned mostly by American and European architects and planners.

Today a friend shared this photo on Facebook and I was surprised to see how different Shanghai looks today compared to how it was back in 1990. Yes twenty years ago, Shanghai was not what it is today. The idea of a skyscraper was nonexistent. Today the idea of an open park seems to be what is missing.

I don't know what I feel of this fairly new urban development, but it is with out a doubt fascinating. I hope I can see it for myself sometime soon. I read recently in the New York Times that many architectural firms in the US are being commissioned by Chinese clients and American architects are gladly accepting jobs because they have unlimited budgets and no design restrictions: an architect's dream, right?

Maybe it's time to pick up language number five. Next step after college?

Legos - Not just a child's toy

I saw this art work by artist Justin LaRosa and Samuel Cox on Fubiz a few weeks ago and I really liked it. Legos are pretty much amazing, and it's great to see them go beyond a child's imagination.

Enjoy.

Brooklyn Snow

These are some photos from the second blizzard in New York City in three weeks. Somehow I managed to venture to the gym.