A Library shade structure conceived as a functional art piece and public artwork

After passing the City of Oklahoma City Arts Commission, I can publicly say that my sculptural shade proposal for the Capitol Hill Library, “Never Stop Dreaming, the Sky is the Limits…” was selected! This is a super exciting opportunity! As most of you know, playful concepts have been present in most of my creations. And now, I have the perfect chance to bring one more to life, entwined with a functional art piece to be enjoyed by the general community. I cannot say enough how much I love playful and functional public art!

PLAYFUL & WHIMSICAL DESIGN 

Color, light, and shadows play and fly to unfold a world of possibilities throughout a sculptural arrangement of recognizable origami airplane figures. They evoke movement, celebration, and action, bringing back good memories and emotions. This sculptural shade structure also reiterates the "more welcoming" (C.H. Guernsey Architects) feature sought in the recent Library renovation, evident in the relocation of its entrance.

This Arrowhead – Paper Airplanes' composition opens the wings to imagination, creativity, and a world of possibilities. And above all, it's a whimsical design that says between the lines, never stop dreaming; the sky is the limit…

PUBLIC ART FRAMEWORK

Libraries are the centers of new ideas and places to get lost in beautiful stories. At the same time, they provide a sense of place for each particular community. Today, as a Hispanic community center, the Capitol Hill District reflects a vibrant culture in its lifestyle and businesses. This unique characteristic also permeated its Library, serving as a foundation for a healthy community.

THE MUSE'S FLIGHT DIRECTIONS

Accordingly, I created a sculptural shade structure that brings together the story of the Library site, its function, and its community character. First, a design inspired by the flight of the first airplane in Oklahoma – an event that took place on the site back in 1910. Second, a symbolic representation of origami, a technique related to many different curricula, including "math, science, social science, art, language art, special education, and therapy." (Hull) Third, a composition that brings to life the spirit of the distinctive character of the large Latinx community presented in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Finally, a design that speaks to many young people who visit this Library daily.

Children who read

“Children who read can fly across the skies.
Their minds shine through their eyes like flashlights.
Buoyant, fantastic creatures
Of pearl-like teeth flashing a smile.
It is said that children who read can grow wings.”

By Mariana Llanos

Deepen into the inspiration!

I knew I wanted to work with an Origami metaphorical representation from the first moment. However, the last click was made when I read over the book Poesia Alada, written by the Peruvian and Oklahoma City-based children's books author Mariana Llanos. Once again, this poetry book took me to a world of fantasy. That night, while I read and moved between poems, my heart pounded with emotion, but when I reached the last verse, "Children Who Read," my tears soon came. It was a poem that sealed the idea, inspiring me to transform a simple paper airplane into an accelerated fantasy story that brought together everything I was looking for in a robust public art proposal. 

I don't have enough words to thank Mariana, who generously adapted this poem from Spanish to English so that I could use it to support my concept before the Selection Committee. NOTE: To read the entire poem, click here. Enjoy it!!! 

I can’t wait to start transforming this model into reality!

bibliographic references

Roots Chairs: Functional art pieces created to stand the outdoor environment

Roots Chairs are a sublime & contemporary representation of my roots. A system of precise, graceful, and fresh designs was arranged in a harmonious composition to represent Venezuela's flora and fauna, from the rainforest to its coasts, from the Caribbean Sea to its countryside.

Material & Technique

Motivated by ancient Egyptian mosaics and mixed with the Italian terrazzo technique, I used a contemporary approach to mosaic art. Each design is bound to the concrete composite and then polished to achieve a smooth, shiny, uniform surface. This exposes the mosaic to the slick concrete surface, enhancing the delicate craftsmanship of the finished piece.

Minimal, clean lines and the combination of positive and negative spaces were considered to achieve a harmonious design and innovative use of the mosaic composition through the chairs’ surfaces.

All-Around Artistic Seating Design

The opening in the metal leg was an essential factor in creating an artistic seating design. This design feature acts as a frame for the mosaic artwork depicted on the back sides of the concrete legs of both chairs. A black powder-coated steel leg also balances the overall composition.

In Display at...

The Roots Chairs are currently on display and for sale at the  2018 Vision Makers Biennial, 108 Contemporary’s signature-juried biennial exhibition. A biennial "features the work of contemporary fine craft-based artists from a seven-state region who bridge cutting-edge concepts with traditional skills as they challenge the boundaries of art, craft, and design." 

“Each work embodies the expansive sense of possibility found in the best works of contemporary craft.”

— Emily Zilber, VM18 Juror & Editor, Metalsmith

Event Dates: October 5 - November 25, 2018

108 Contemporary - 108 East Mathew Brady Street, Tulsa, OK 74103.

Carlos Cruz-Diez: Between His Artwork and Wisdom

There's nothing quite like delving into the world of masters of art and design. Their work, lives, and creations never fail to inspire and uplift me.

This Friday, August 17th, marks the birthday of Carlos Cruz-Diez, a Venezuelan artist widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in Kinetic-Optical art. Cruz-Diez was born in 1923 and has lived and worked in France since 1960. His artistic movement promotes an awareness of reality's instability through exploring and reproducing colors beyond physical space. His impressive body of work has cemented him as one of the most important color thinkers of the twentieth century.

Almost 80 Years of Experience... WOW, Just WOW!

In the context of celebrating his birthday, I want to share some of his works and the views and wisdom he gained throughout his career. One of the most significant aspects we can take from a professional is their steps throughout their trajectory!

I just finished reading Carlos Cruz-Diez: In Conversation with Ariel Jimenez. It's an inspirational exploration of his creative mind throughout his life. He undoubtedly has the lovely gift of transferring his wisdom, knowledge, and sagacity in a didactic way.

Looking for His Own Voice.

One of the things that really moved me was his perseverance in creating a discourse that everybody could understand, regardless of their culture or specific historical context. Cruz-Diez, after a lot of effort, finds a way to deliver an artistic expression that teaches people how to 'read' the

colors and to see beyond the actual forms themselves.

It’s worth noting that the search for his unique artistic discourse began around the 1950th. By then, it was considered that the ‘traditional painting’ had ended, and most artists were looking for new approaches and directions for their creative development. A search that wasn't linear, as Cruz-Diez comments. The evolution of his discourse resulted from many progress and setbacks in his journey to discovering the right voice.

For Cruz-Diez, this was a period where “the artist must invent his discourse and be an individual of his time." Remarking that "what human beings save and treasure as references in time are those things that contribute something unprecedented, that enrich the spirit, and enlighten the mind.”

What a magnificent and profound way of thinking!
As a fine artist and interior designer, I am driven to create works that enhance human well-being. Such works hold immense value because they effectively stimulate users to think, reflect, and deepen their understanding of a given subject. Furthermore, they serve as functional artworks that appeal not only to art aficionados but also to the general public at large.

“What I have achieved to date is the result of a long and complex process of historical analysis, of coming to know myself and my limitations and my possibilities, without lying to myself and without poses.”

— Carlos Cruz-Diez

"Chromatic Environment" (1974). Picture: cruz-diez.com

Urban & Architectural Intervention: A Way the Art Can Reach Everyone!

I must confess that my favorite works are those in which Cruz-Diez intervenes in urban spaces or integrates artworks into architecture. It's a passion of mine, as those who know me can attest.

Another example of how he introduces his art concept into functional pieces is Ambientación Cromática (2007), part of the Couleur Additive concept. This architectural integration is embodied in 1500 seats and the backdrop of the Concert Hall—Centro de Acción Social por la Música, Caracas, Venezuela. 

Ambientación Cromática (2007). Picture: www.cruz-diez.com

Or one of the most resent functional pieces, this Induction Chromatique Feu Vert II (2017)

Feu Vert II (2017) Picture: www.cruz-diez.com

I can't finish without highlighting some of his urban interventions incorporated into the City’s crosswalks and passways. You can see these in different towns in France, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Panama, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, and here in the United States, in cities such as Houston, Miami, and, most recently in 2017, Coral Gables and Los Angeles.

Couleur Additive The Broad, Los Angeles, United States (2017) - Picture: www.cruz-diez.com

Happy 95 birthday Mr. Cruz-Diez!!!

[EVOLVE] Sculptural Bike Rack: Functional art and public art piece to be used by the general community

When it comes to creating functional artwork, I am the first to raise my hand! Since the start of my design and art career, I have been producing works of art with interactive qualities, in which aesthetics, functionality, and the improvement of human well-being fuse to create pieces that bring art and life together. In this quest, I have crafted various functional art pieces. But for me, one of the art forms that reaches people across a broad spectrum (both art and non-art devotees) is through the implementation of functional public art. And this project is not an exception!

[EVOLVE] is a functional and sculptural/aesthetic public art bikerack group that seeks to enhance the historic Classen Ten Penn neighborhood's identity, unique values, and multicultural character, which have been growing for centuries. Specifically, the growing cubes of [EVOLVE] will be one more “brick” in McKinley Park to build and reinforce the sense of place in this community.

A contemporary geometric design combines freshness with a pleasing sense of rhythm, intending to transmit this community's evolution and growth since the early 1900s.

Seeing Oklahoma City communities implement this initiative, as the Classen Ten Penn (CTP) Neighborhood Association, is inspiring. However, it’s essential to note that this initiative was viable through its partnership with Current Studio and the support of the City of Oklahoma City’s Strong Neighborhoods Initiative, the Mid-America Arts Alliance, and, last but not least, the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition (OVAC), which awarded me the Creative Project Grant this past January 2018. The grant will also serve as a fund to bring [EVOLVE] to life.

[EVOLVE] is a complete celebration of this community’s character; a community that is constantly developing new ideas but celebrates and honors its past, its present, and its future.