17/04/2009 >
On Friday April 17th I'll be presenting my research project 'Architectures of fear: Crime and violence as transgressors of Caracas' urban landscape'. The invitation was made by 'Unidad Docente 9' as part of a series of presentations of research projects developed by Design Studio lecturers of the School of Architecture of Universidad Central. Hope to see you there.
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11/03/2009 >
'Rock Nacional'... I've borrowed this image from my friend Jesús Vásquez's Facebook Mobile Uploads album. Not only amusing but also an accurate depiction of the consequences of cultural hybridization present in Venezuela. Car customization, subject of American TV programmes 'Pimp my Ride' and 'Overhaulin', is locally assumed by owners as a DIY activity. The result: typical Venezuelan linguistic adaptation of Australian band's name over Italian car.
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29/01/2009 >
I have enough reasons to vote against Chavez's proposal to amend our Constitution. Nevertheless, whatever your conviction is, do not waste the opportunity to cast your vote 'yes' or 'no' on February 15. Our unhealthy democracy needs, above all, everyone's participation.
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17/12/2008 >
A view of the scale model of Alvaro Requena's proposal for the 'Caracas New Legal Medicine Centre'. Set within a city that is one of the most violents in the world, Alvaro's design gently integrates with the irregular topography as well as dignifies the collapsed spaces in which these activities currently take place.
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17/12/2008 >
'Architecture and Travel' was Cecilia Hahn's thesis project proposal, in which she explored the ways we collect, keep and select images and data from traveling, developing an alternative tool for architectual production.
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15/12/2008 >
'Plaza Brion Cultural Centre' is Fabiana Possamai's proposal for last semester Design Studio. Students had to undertake the task of conceiving a commercial building from the critical position of questioning local trends of shopping mall designing.
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13/11/2008 >
As part of a series of conferences organized by Fundación Espacio, on thursday, November 13th, I'll be talking about the role of interdisciplinarity in my work. The conference is titled 'Theory and Practice of Dispersion' and it'll take place at 7 pm in the 'Sala Cabrujas' of Los Palos Grandes. Here's the flyer with details of the rest of the programme.
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04/11/2008 >
Last november I was invited to talk about my work in relation to video and space. It was part of an interdisciplinary workshop organized by the School of Architecture of Universidad Central de Venezuela titled 'Video/Space Mediations: A Workshop with Gary Hill' and in which Hill, one of my all time video art heroes, talked extensively about his influential work.
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09/09/2008 >
Proposed for 8th and 9th semesters, this term Design Studio will be dealing with the rather infamous shopping mall. Proliferating overwhelmingly in our cities, local architects have failed to recognize the social and climatic circumstances in which these buildings are insert, missing the opportunity to explore new ways of architectural production.
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02/09/2008 >
'Ideas of Space in the Arts' is an elective course that I also will be lecturing this semester. The aim is to approach students to the issues and motivations that are shared between architecture and contemporary art through a revision of the work of a series of artists dealing with diverse notions of space.
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11/07/2008 >
This map of parameters is part of student Bernardo Rísquez's undergraduate thesis project titled 'TYXZ: Audiovisual Representation Instrument of Rhythmic Patterns Insert in Urban Fabrics: Case Study: Berlin's Public Transport System S-Bahn & U-Bahn' of which I was co-tutor with fellow lecturer Miguel Acosta.
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09/07/2008 >
As presented in the final show of last semester's Design Studio, the conceptual model of the 'Device for Living in' designed by students Javier Ramírez and Fernando Fernández. Congratulations to both of them.
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13/06/2008 >
'Puzzle House' student Ericka Ramírez has been awarded the 1st Prize for Category I (1st, 2nd and 3rd semesters) of the UCV/School of Architecture's Axis Award for Excellence in Design. Congratulations for her achievement.
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17/03/2008 >
Above, an image of 'Filling Gaps', a remarkable Design Studio project by student Carla Collevecchio. Engaged in the demanding task of exploring possibilities of growth in european historic city centres, Carla's proposal for the area of San Lorenzo, in Rome, has made her the recipient of the highest distinction for architecture students in both Universidad Central de Venezuela and Universitá di Roma 'La Sapienza'.
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17/03/2008 >
For this semester's Design Studio 4th, 5th and 6th I'm joining forces with fellow lecturer Roberto Castillo. Our proposal departs from Le Corbusier's concept of 'A House as a Machine for Living in' in an effort to update the idea through the exploration on the concept of 'A House as a Device for Living in'.
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17/12/2007 >
Last semester's Design Studio 'Superblock Revamped' finished off superbly. Above 'Swirling Superblock' by student Juan Mendoza.
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11/09/2007 >
On friday September 28th I'll be talking about the role of interdisciplinary practice in my work. The event is titled 'Theory and Practice of Dispersion' and it'll take place at 7 pm in the 'Pablo Lasala Room', 5th floor of the School of Architecture of Universidad Central de Venezuela.
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29/08/2007 >
The 2nd term of 2007 just started. This semester the course will get busy speculating on Carlos Raúl Villanueva's public housing projects developed for Banco Obrero between 1942 and 1957. The Design Studio is titled 'Superblock Revamped' and has been proposed for students at 7th, 8th and 9th semesters.
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23/08/2007 >
Here, an image of 'Zephyr / Pre-impact Sequence No.1', photo installation that complements my participation in the exhibition commented in the previous post.
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19/08/2007 >
This sunday opens at Museo Alejandro Otero the show 'Parallel Expressions: Young Art from Venezuela' in which I'm participating with one video and one photo installation. Above, a still from 'Supermachine: Diffuse Identity / Northern Facade' as installed at the museum. Hope to see you there.
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11/07/2007 >
Last semester's Design Studio 'BuhoneroKart' finished off successfully. Most of works showed good level and risk. I'd like to thank and congratulate all participating students. Above 'Juan Florero', flower vending cart designed by Alejandro Di Pascuale and María Stella González. Behind, Diane Kerdel and Arianna Van Schermbeek's 'GuaKart'.
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02/03/2007 >
Hi there! I'm relaunching this site so not much for the news at this moment. I'll say that we're about to begin a brand new semester at UCV's School of Architecture, situation that has left me very busy these days of preparing course materials. I'll be in charge of a vertical Design Studio for 5th, 6th and 7th semesters, for which I will be offering a workshop related with urban research, low technology and informal economy. Please, come back as more details will be posted very soon.
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