Book Review: Súper Normal An essential for “design education”; and a reminder that sometimes the best version of some thing already exist. An ode to the perfectly ordinary objects that surround us. A book that remind us to enjoy the simple and treasure the un pretentious.
Donald Clarence Judd. (1928 - 1994 EUA).
Engineer turned out artis. One of todays most relevant and referenced “minimalist” and “materialist” artist. Judd work is studied and researched not only by artists but designers and architects. Besides his admirable progressions of “stack” sculptures metal chairs the connection between his early graphic work and on going exploration of standard materials seems to be the key to understanding his vision but also an industrial era. The usage and exploration of prefabricated industrial materials and finishes translates in to a language that appeals to fans of the industrial and contemplative. His graphic work describe a compromise for discovering the endless compositions kept inside a peace of paper or a self defined area. Adding on the restricción of using only the color pallet held by the industrial materials he decided to use. More than minimalistic” art; Judds work is an endless graphic, geometric, volumetric and proportion heritage worth of studying.
ĂŤgor FiĂłdorovich Stravinski (1882-1971 Russia)
Composer, conductor, and pianist. Eventhough rhythm is one of music bases, it wasn’t until the modernist movement that this element became a main subject of study. Stravinski’s energetic work is full of complex structures that notice the use of rhythm in a highly plastic way. During his carrier he developed symphonies, concerts, operas along other musical forms; all in very diverse styles.
Some of his most relevant creations involve: The Rite of Spring, for his revolutionary use of rhythm, stress and tonality. Les Noces used for dance performances ever since released because of its rhythmic richness in variations. And The Rakes Progress Opera.
All of his work has the magical power of transporting you into magic landas, clouds colliding producing heavy lightings and rain.
Dan Graham (USA 1942 - 2022)
Writer and Artist, but more than anything for ever a child. Dan loved not telling people what to do. His creations were all about the pleasure of discovering “the world” just “like a child”. Even though he never liked “playgrounds” as a child … his human scale installations are all about setting a stage for PLAY. Giant gardens full of optical illusions, architectural structures thought through the point of playfulness. Sculptures that encourage you to explore volume and space, and even becoming part of it for you to discover your self through it. Graham believed that “males” are keen to become “voyerist” and that such desire propelled drove him to creat installations to “see” and be seen”.
Edward Ruscha (Â 1937Â EUA)
Pop Artis” …. Sign maker, Trend setter, and the ultimate “truth sayer”.
Ed Ruscha mastered the craft of “sign-making” of painting large format words and landscapes. Influenced by the dada movement and just recognized that his path wouldn’t be walking on his generation’s tendency. Ruscha just recognized he was the kind of artist that has to preconceive ideas before developing them . What could be seen as a mare collage exercise of mixing random backgrounds with powerful and meaningful words is actually the mastery of semiotics. His work may be enjoyed by single images or delightful books. (I secretly like to think Power Point “art word” creators got inspired by his art”)
Martin Acosta in interview: (Mexico) Theater director, scenic artist, and the art of designing space-time and emotion. With over 80 montages of his career, he has worked with Mexico’s most celebrated scenic creators. His keen appeal to working with young generations; has led him to propel many fresh talents. During his almost 40 years of career, he has lived the evolution of theater from our early modernity to our recent digital era where almost everything is aloud but our attention span is narrower. The independent theater constraints have led him to develop the ability to communicate through very articulated trajectories and interactions between characters. His work as a director could be characterized by precious editing skills; which include the mastery of delivering great beginning endings and bridges between them. Over time he has been able to conjoin actors, volumes, shadows, and objects through space and time. Which coming together tell a story as a whole.
Much gratitude to Martin Acosta himself for the time given for this “interview” which ended up being more like a MasterClass about directing theater. And his sketching Materials are just a glimpse to his creative process.
Currently, we can be aware of his work on @dearenateatro đź“· @fernanda.oli.vares@ortegafu
Martin Parr ( 1952 UK) Photographer and storyteller. Some people have the fortune of being in the right place and the right time; however, shooting thousands of magnificent images that transform costumbrist life scenes into fabulous almost planed-like images is an ability. His beginnings shooting his native Epson set the grounds of finding interesting and witty moments full of humor.
His favorite topics are “tourists” and “beaches”. Glamorusles” subjects whose honest and singular cotidianity turned into fabulous ordinary.
Parrs photography is the perfect reminder that we all humans are unique and gracious just by existing… lying on beaches or being ridiculously amazed by historical buildings.
Adolf Loos Adolf Loos (1870 - 1933 Viena) Architect.
Father of the “modernist” movement. His work follows 3 basic principles: using raw materials as decoration, a minus analysis of compositions, and the final use of spaces and objects. The beauty of his creations leads to inspiring material combinations that embellish his interiors. The creation of new and cleaner patterns set new trends for architecture and interiors. Elegant, refined, and rhythmic compositions are consistent in his work. His geometric study of space led him to project very valuable proportions on the human and
Alexande Ekman ( Sweden 1984)
Ballet dancer, and choreographer and scenic designer. His choreographed plays are full of energetic movements that are able to translate simple and universally relatable concepts that surround our human experience. His work with very up front names as: Play, Cow, Cacti, Eskapist, Fit and a reinterpretation of “Swan lake” among others… transmit very divers dimensions of this “concepts”. Most of his work has been done with the help of the composer Mikael Karlsson, that with energetic and strident sounds create a found and solid accompaniment to convey this conceptual stories. It is magical to see understand through his work that our humanity is universal enough to be understand by a wide divers audience. Play could be one perfect example; where this piece is able to unfold the very wide options of how we as humans “play”.
Charles Ray ( 1953 EUA, LA) Sculptor.
Ray’s earnest and extensive understanding of scale and volume started with a corporal exploration of his own self. Ray began to trace dimensions that bear only the subtlest trace of his presence. His early works express a punctual and tenacious study of not only his own presence within a context but the tension created between other bodies. After passing through minimalistic materiality that expressed in a realistic way the human form, his most recent work has been touched by technology and new sculpting materials that permit new readings to his work. Now sculptures become impermanent even though they are physically static.
Lawrence Weiner (1942 EUA)
Conceptual Artis... Through his work, the power of words, connotations, denotation, semiotics, and the basics of conceptual art interpretation is revealed. With the very thoughtful use of Helvetica the "designers" typeface Weiner erased the borders that framed the conception of his art from privet places to public spaces. It is beautiful to be moved by just a couple of words and their arangment in space.
Eileen Gray (1878 - 1976)
Irish architect and furniture designer. Pioneer of the Modern Movement in architecture. Her astonishing practice involves the mastery of industrial materials and handcrafting technics. Her interest in Asian cultures led her to experiment with new materials such as laker and precious woods and vibrant color combinations. Abstracting curves and composition on her ancient aesthetic led her to approach form and volume color in an innovative way. Her figures volume practice gave her the basis to approach architecture in a savvy way. Along with her perfectly balanced objects, her intellect on materials gave her the key to developing highly complex engineering systems for her furniture. She was able to develop foldable chairs and multirotative hinges, along with beautiful metal and wood assemblies.
