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Designing Together 2008 - Living in the Américas

Oct 24, 2008

John H. Pilling Home../John_H_Pilling/about_JHP.html
Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey - Campus Ciudad de Mexicohttp://www.ccm.itesm.mx/dia2007/bienvarq.htmlhttp://www.ccm.itesm.mx/dia2007/bienvarq.htmlshapeimage_207_link_0

BAC / ITESM Parallel Studio 

Travel Observations - 2

Guadalajara - Mexico City

“it is good to have an end to journey towards; but is is the journey that matters in the end.” Ursula K. LeGuin

My time in Mexico was a series of destinations, some beautiful, some powerful, some exciting, but the journey itself was the sum of all these things.  The time in between that allowed for reflection and understanding was at times as important as the images that now crowd my thoughts.  The mostly peaceful flight from Guadalajara to Mexico City marked the midpoint of the trip, but not the journey.

Mexico City The Zócalo


The protest begins to form.  Everything is big in Mexico City.  Especially the Flags

Light


Let there be light.  After visiting the Tlalpan Chapel, and the Prieto house, I started to realize the importance of light in Barragán’s work.  I found myself inspired to sketch where light poured in through widows.  The intensity of color created in the Tlalpan Chapel coming from the light through the Matias Goeretz stained glass window created a space worthy of being spiritual.

Many Ups and downs,

Turning corners to new light,

and still, solitude

Let’s fall in love with the future!


Let us fall in love with architecture.


These colorful towers, surrounded by a major freeway, represent a triumph of the spirit.  Examining the art, architecture, and the journey of the Mexican people so much of the great work is commentary on or documentation of strife, pain longing, and death.


Then beyond that stress stand these towers.  There is something romantic about the hollow sculptural towers that stand as icons in the middle of the dense, polluted, crowed place the Mexico City is today.


I imagine that the towers value has increased over time as the city has grown and been in need of iconic public spaces that salute the future.

Reflection


The Arboledas was a good way to end the site seeing of Barragán’s work.  the outdoor space felt as if we were experiencing Barragán in an unrestricted way.  The fountain was long and narrow providing a long perspective line.  The spaces felt large and open, yet mystery was still created by placing large walls to obstruct sight lines, requiring you to go around them to experience the space beyond.

A romantic stroll on top of the world

The Cathedral of the Virgin of Guadalupe


Seeing this place seemed essential for me to understand what it is to be Mexican.  This man was a perfect symbol of that he has come to church wearing a Beatles T-shrit, carrying something in a convenience store bag.  And here is is praying to a painting

DesignDesign-Site.htmlDesign-BAC-prep.htmlshapeimage_229_link_0

Selections from the sketches, photographs, and writings BAC students did to reflect on their experiences