DC Field Notes: How Museums Create Meaning

This short video introduces the lens that guides my work as I begin an on-site Museum Studies seminar in Washington, DC. Grounded in an audience-centered approach, my focus is on how museums communicate meaning through objects, space, interpretation, and accessibility.

Observing Museum Practice

The posts that follow will document museum visits, conversations with professionals, and behind-the-scenes observations across a range of institutions. While this work is part of my graduate studies, it is also shared as public fieldwork, an opportunity to think critically about museum practice as it unfolds.

Video introduction to DC Field Notes, outlining the lens that guides this series of museum fieldwork in Washington, DC.

---

Follow the Notes

The Orchestration Behind "Crown Shyness and Wind Chimes..."

Have you ever passed through a place without even noticing its presence? Or perhaps the place is keeping its knowledge from us? I can't speak for you, but I am certainly guilty of this.

Strikes of Inspiration

Crown Shyness & Wind Chimes in Orchestration... Touches by the Hand isn't the only one of my artworks inspired by Mother Nature, but it's the one that aims to bring viewers into the present and foster empathy for their surroundings.
This interactive art piece reflects on the forest of Henri Pittier National Park in my native Venezuela. Living just three miles from this enchanting place was a true gift… I hope this artwork inspires others to recognize the beauty of nature.

The Magic of The Henri Pittier National Park

It's the oldest national park in Venezuela, renowned for its climatic diversity, and its cloud forest is one of its most prominent features. A splendid forest distinguished by its frequent low-level clouds, a mist that persistently covers its mountains for about 200-250 days a year. (Zinck, 34) 
As the mist and dew wrap every inch of the woods, plants emerge, embroidering a rich tapestry that reaches the highest branches of the colossal trees. Their towering crowns and lush greenery create a breathtaking canopy that blankets this magnificent jungle.
Yes! Henri Pittier is a magical place inhabited by a vast diversity of flora and fauna, categorizing it among one of the most biologically diverse parks in the world.
My memories came, and I felt a flutter in my belly, a mixture of fear and emotion in my chest!

Spark of Inspiration

Whenever I connect with nature, I experience a strange yet gratifying sensation of constant sparkles in my chest that flow into my mind—igniting inspiration. It feels similar to falling in love. An experience that reminds me of the opening line from Elizabeth Gilbert's book, "Big Magic," where she asks, "What is creativity? The bond between a person and the enigma of inspiration."

All-around views of Crown Shyness & Wing Chimes in Orchestration…Touched by the Hand.

---

A poem to you…
The witness of my adventures

You're a magical place—the witness of my adventures.
Your winds and smells cover me with freshness
alongside each tiny water droplet of your permanent mist that hides from the sun and lives near the earth’s surface.
A tropical mist that touches me and refreshes
my passing.

Dominated by trees, your stunning but extremely friendly body welcomes me.
Between stories, legends, and truths, your energy covers my body and runs through my skin.
I close my eyes, and I listen to you; I feel you;
I smell you. I can see you!

Your nights are mysterious; the sounds of your breathing are amplified. The drops of water that rest on your body's leaf shine like precious stones, coupled with the flickering and flirting of the fireflies. The black tones of your shadows seductively dance along with the captivating melody left by the wake of the breeze.

And at dawn, the rays of light seep through the canopies' leaves, showing the blue sky between their small cleft.
You're a magical place—the witness of my adventures.

PROCESS, Material, & Technique

As part of the Lines Collection, this sculptural installation uses plywood lamination as the primary procedure to explore and challenge its boundaries through diverse three-dimensional expressions. However, it always intends to captivate the viewer by the repetition of the lines depicted in the veneer. It was a Meticulous process that required detailed three-dimensional rendering, precise measures, and cuts.

3-D Renderings

Each wooden tube is made with stripes of maple plywood from domestically grown, sustainably harvested trees. The layers of the plywood veneers exhibit the warmth and timeless quality of the natural timber grains, which run along the length of each piece. Hollow wooden parts are symmetrically arranged and connected with thin metal ropes.

The Process

---

In Display at...

Right now, Crown Shyness & Wind Chimes in Orchestration... Touches by the Hand is on display and for sale at MAINSITE Contemporary Gallery as part of the 40 Over 40: Women Artists of Oklahoma juried exhibition called up by the Norman Arts Council.

Event Dates: Feb 14 - Mar 13, 2020
Closing Reception: Mar 13. From 6 PM to 10 PM
MAINSITE Contemporary Art
122 E. Main Street
Norman, OK 73070

Creativity by Design and Way of Thinking + Inclusion by Practice.

My insatiable curiosity for creative approaches, designs, and public art subjects has led me on a path of continuous learning and discovery. The past week has been nothing short of enlightening as I immersed myself in a world of boundless creativity and energy.

Creative Oklahoma’s INNOVATION series

Creativity comes in different forms and flavors, but "we need to be modern to resolve modern problems." Last Tuesday, February 18th, it was pleasant to hear Phil Gilbert, the IBM General Manager of Design, discuss the integration and transformation of design in this Global Corporation as the first presentation of the 2020 Creative Oklahoma Innovation Series. 

Phil Gilbert, the IBM-General Manager of Design
Focus in user outcomes + Restless Reinvention + Diverse Empowered Teams

He took us on a journey from the relevance of human-centered design as one of the principles of IBM's design-thinking approaches to converge on the value of having a team from different geographical regions, characterized by diverse skills and genders. Emphasizing that "the diversity of the team directly influences the empowerment and positive results of the outcomes." 👈🏼 HELLO, HELLO, WORLD!!!.

Closing with a call to educational institutions, emphasizing the need to provide future professionals with a multidisciplinary foundation. "Everything happens in real-time with people working in multidisciplinary ways."

Public Art Design Around ACCESSIBILITY & Inclusiveness

Last Saturday, February 22nd, the Norman Arts Council and Norman Public Arts Board hosted a workshop called "Public Art: Inclusion by Design" to help artists and organizations understand the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusion. The workshop featured a panel of speakers who shared valuable insights on how artists can use inclusive design principles to create works that improve people's lives in ways they may not have considered before. From discussing terminology related to inclusivity to exploring the perspectives and needs of disABILITY, the speakers provided a comprehensive overview of how inclusive design can be applied in the public art field. The workshop culminated in a presentation by artist Ann Cunningham, who shared her work focused on creating art that is accessible to blind people.

Source of Inspiration

I had the fantastic opportunity to visit the SPECTACULAR Norman Central Library ❤️!!! The architecture, the excellent texture combination achieved by the clever use of materials, the modern and contemporary furniture selection, and the state-of-the-art technology gadgets. A beautiful structure that welcomes visitors with a monumental artwork installation, Unbound, designed by the London-based artist Paul Cocksedge. 

I think from now on, I’m going to schedule in my calendar at least one working day every month at this Library. So inspiring!!!
Especially to this artist and designer here :)

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.