Fidelity

Fidelity. Havana, Cuba. July 2019.

La Guarida, Havana, Cuba.

The stories of Fidel Castro and Camilo Cienfuegos (the man depicted on the wall) are legendary in modern Cuban history. Tales of victory and loyalty, but also of foul play and jealousy.

Cienfuegos was a loyal compatriot of Castro’s, however many speculate that after the revolution, Castro was responsible for Cienfuegos’ untimely disappearance in 1959. Since his death at 27, Cienfuegos has been an everlasting martyr of the Cuban Revolution. So why does the speculation of Castro’s involvement linger on? It is said that Cienfuegos gained more popularity than Castro post-revolution, which threatened Castro’s position in leadership. If true, it proves once again that politics is about a lot more than just pledging fidelity.

When you ask Cubans or read about their relationship, you will get plenty of opinions supporting one theory or the other. Whether they parted as allies or adversaries remains a mystery, however one thing is certain, Cienfuegos, the charismatic, adventure loving, "Hero of Yaguajay” lives on everywhere in the country.

Alone, Together

Alone, Together. Berlin, Germany. December 2018.

Ganzfeld “Aural” by James Turrell.

In my in opinion, the most fascinating part of experiencing Turrell’s works is that you can be surrounded by people, but still feel completely alone with it. Often, his pieces are about the solo, mental experience. Ganzfeld “Aural” is a prime example. While there may be several individuals in this same shared space, the perceptual experience is completely individual and internal.

In Ganzfeld, a visitor walks into an empty room and is bathed in light. When you first step into the piece and approach the central point, the combination of the light and the decline is completely disorienting; it is intended to be this way. You feel as though you are walking through a thick colorful fog before your eyes can adjust. As the lights slowly change, so does your depth perception; you think you are walking towards the end of a tunnel, when in fact you are walking precariously towards a 2 meter drop.

Ganzfeld is actually a German word that describes the phenomenon of “perceptual deprivation” and this is what this work challenges you with. Once you are immersed, you cannot trust your eyes or your senses, but you are forced to grapple with it alone.

Alone, Together. Berlin, Germany. December 2018.

Eye Spy

JR at Maison Europeenne de la Photographie (MEP). Paris, France.

In November, I was fortunate enough to be in Paris when artist JR did a “takeover” of the city, installing his large scale photographs in various metro stations across the city. The campaign was to promote the artist’s first major show in Paris aptly named “MOMENTUM”.

While I was unable to go to the exhibit, the MEP smartly put some of his work on the exterior of their building as well. MOMENTUM included some of JR’s early photographs and showcased several new installations. JR’s work is politically charged and often controversial, but that’s why I enjoy it. He has a point of view and is unafraid to double down on it. The past few years, he has focused his work on immigration and victims of wars and conflicts. The most talked about piece inside the exhibit was his recent mural about guns in America that landed on the cover of TIME’s November 5th cover. For the mural, JR filmed and photographed 245 people from across the gun debate spectrum: hunters, activists, teachers, parents, police officers, and children.

This particular photo here used on the exterior of MEP is from his series: Portrait of a Generation, an illegal pasting exhibition of portraits all captured with a 28 mm lens.

She's Out of This World

She’s Out of This World. Tokyo, Japan. January 2019.

teamLab Planets immersive digital art museum. Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan. January 2019.

When I first heard of teamLab’s digital art museum, I was skeptical. I’ve seen a lot of these “museums” pop up (ehem Museum of Ice Cream) that are created just for that “Instagram moment” and completely without any artistic meaning or value. I’m happy to report back, I was proven wrong with this museum.

teamLab Planets is a beautiful experience. There are five vignettes (some are better than others), however overall it is a very immersive and impressive experience. This was my favorite room, aptly named “The Infinite Crystal Universe”. The lights and music were so well coordinated and there was not an angle or reflection that did not look other worldly.

Here is my friend Hiroko walking through one of the corridors of the exhibit. To me, she looks like she’s amongst the stars and in a galaxy far far away.

If you find yourself in Tokyo, I highly recommend stopping by teamLab Planets and their other museum teamLab Borderless. You’ll get more than just an Instagram.

Enlightened

Enlightened. Torino, Italy. April 2018.

The Galleria Grande at Reggia di Venaria. Torino, Piemonte, Italy. April 2018.

Architect: Amedeo di Castellamonte, 1675

A Reader's Paradise

You will find this remarkable library situated in the South Side of Chicago, near the site of the future Obama Library. Artist Theaster Gates saved this early 20th century structure, the former Stony Island Trust Bank, from demolition to create this Chicago landmark, the Stony Island Arts Bank. Gates bought the building for $1 from Chicago with the vision of restoring it as a cultural hub—a place for free arts and cultural programming. To me, this room was by far the most impressive. The library is full of items from John H. Johnson, the founding publisher Ebony and Jet magazine, a the record collection from DJ Frankie Knuckles, and more. To preserve a connection to the history of the building, the bank's peeling paint and damaged ceiling tiles have been preserved as is. It's beautiful to see this shuttered bank transformed into an institution celebrating black artists, a repository for African American history, and a place where people can really feel the palpable history of the South Side.

Let Her Glow

Let Her Glow. Beacon, New York. November 2017.

Girl meets Flavin. Girl is entranced. Dia:Beacon is the place to go to be completely immersed in contemporary art. The museum is located outside of NYC, along the Hudson River, in Beacon, New York. 

Dia Art Foundation helped spearhead the movement of converting former warehouses and industrial buildings into museums and art spaces. With the help of some artists and architects, including Robert Irwin, Dia:Beacon was converted from a 31 acre Nabisco company printing plant into the immersive art space it is today. 

This girl was sitting in her stroller until her family pulled up in front of this Flavin. Once up on her legs, she strutted immediately towards the lights. I was lucky to snap this shot right before her grandmother came into the frame to prevent her from touching the installation. I get it girl, I want to touch the Flavin too. 

Squared Away

Squared Away. Rome, Italy. March 2016.

The Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana (or Colosseo Quadrato) is one of my favorite examples of rationalist architecture. Just outside of Rome in the EUR neighborhood, the palazzo was recently renovated to be the global headquarters for fashion powerhouse Fendi. While I enjoy the aesthetics, it has a bit of a controversial past.

The palazzo was constructed between 1938-1943 and created to showcase Benito Mussolini's grand fascist vision for Rome, Italy, and the world. EUR was created to host the 1942 World's Fair and the palazzo was its centerpiece. It is rumoured that there are nine window arches to match the number of letters in "Mussolini". If you look across the top of the photo you can count: M-U-S-S-O-L-I-N-I.

The plans for the exhibition were actually canceled in 1941 during the finishing of the palazzo and it sat unused for a decade after its completion. The palazzo has open and closed intermittently since 1953, and in 2015 Fendi moved in after a five year public restoration period. Fendi will call the palazzo home at least until 2030. 

I am headed back to Rome this month and will hopefully make it back to visit EUR. 

Serenity Now

Serenity Now. Wilmette, Illinois, U.S. October 2017.

Baha'i House of Worship for the North American Continent. Wilmette, IL, U.S.A.

This Baha'i Temple is located just outside of Chicago and is worth a visit if only to admire the lace-style interior and exterior. I have visited my fair share of cathedrals, churches, mosques, temples etc., however this is the first religious site I have seen with this type of intricate architecture.

This Baha'i temple is one of the seven in the world and is the only one located in the United States. Completed in 1953, the Baha'i House of Worship is the oldest surviving of the seven. The Baha'i faith was founded in the mid 1800s and it is quite an inclusive religion that believes in the oneness of the world’s religions, the equality of all races, and a coming age of world peace. Baha’i temples are meant to be a place where all people of faiths can worship God. To reflect this openness, the exterior pillars include symbols representing Judaism (Star of David), Christianity (cross), and other ancient religions (swastika). 

I consider myself more spiritual rather than religious; I enjoy visiting to have that moment of reflection and introspection. It is clear, especially from the design, that Baha'i is a welcoming faith so I feel encouraged to come back, sit, and look up at this view.

Valuable Time With You

Valuable Time With You. Venice, Italy. October 2017.

Venice, Italy. September 2017.

This is Domenico, one of my dearest friends. We traveled to Art Biennale in Venice together two years ago and returned again this year to see Vive Arte Vive! As a seasoned attendee of both the art and architecture Biennale, Domenico navigates the Giardini by heart and has an eye for detail that I can only hope to emulate. 

Here we are inside an installation in the Korean Pavilion designed by Lee Wan. Lee's work entitled "Proper Time: Though the Dreams Revolve with the Moon" is an installation of 668 clocks that cover the walls of this room from floor to ceiling. Each face has the name, birthdate, and nationality of various individuals Lee met while researching economic circumstances around the world. Despite its uniformity, the clocks do not move in unison. The hands move at a speed that is determined by the amount of time the subject has to work in order to afford a full meal. 

But, back to Domenico. He is my better half in all ways: sophisticated, articulate, and wise beyond his years. The time I spend with Domenico is precious and so when I took this photo, I thought it was, for lack of a better word, timely. I can only hope our Biennale trips together continue on as a tradition because every trip with Domenico is an education I cannot get anywhere else.

Besos Por Soumaya

Besos Por Soumaya. Mexico City, MX. March 2017. 

Mexico City, Mexico. March 2017. 

Museo Soumaya is the most visited museum in Mexico and for good reason. The museum is deceptively large, six stories with over 66,000 pieces of art. The most impressive part of the museum (in my opinion) is the top floor that houses founder Carlos Slim's collection of Rodin casts, the largest collection of casts outside of France, 380 to be exact. 

Speaking of Rodin, this sweet moment on the steps of the Soumaya reminds me of his sculpture "The Kiss". It was drizzling and dusk as I was leaving the museum; when I glanced back to admire the architecture, I saw this couple sharing un beso. 

Museo Soumaya itself is quite a romantic structure. It is named after Slim's late wife Soumaya who passed in 1999. Slim began collecting art largely due to Soumaya's influence. He built this version of the museum and dedicated it in her honor in 2011. Soumaya was a fan of Rodin's work and that is why Slim has collected so many of the works over the years. 

Private Vaporetto Ride

Private Ride. Venice, Italy. September 2015.