CASA ARAGONES

BY SHANKAR
photos: Alfonso Corona

Just like in our 3rd issue, Architect Miguel Angel Aragones shows his perfect and daring lines in space and materials; we now bring you the second version of this white and minimalist balance. This time we head to the Capital of Mexico, also known as, D.F
Although not everyone likes this type of decoration and architecture, once you visit and inhabit this space, you’ll understand a new palpable dimension in this crowded and polluted city. With its simple, elegant and spatial distribution, you’ll find yourself immersed in a cloud of materials and light textures with perfect finishes -wherever you look.



A perfect rounded marble sphere receives color light from a spot projector more than 30ft above; the hard-light quality of the projector gives a strong personality to this living object in the middle of the white marble desert that surrounds it.
In the outside, we find a black bottom fountain that will host a huge tribe of orange Koi fishes making it seem like a living water-mirror that shows us no end, no profundity.
The space on top of the lower living room is a meditation quarter with ambient speakers and tatami mats all over the squared, Zen-filled area. Talk about relaxation!



The impeccable white surfaces everywhere give you a floating and silencing atmosphere. And imagine that! The breakfast dining area has furniture designed by world renowned Phillipe Stark.
The multiple terraces give the property a series of light filtrations that turn on the whole peaceful house into a haven. With its monumental open spaces, lighting dimensions and awesome finishes, this architectural space gives you the opportunity to enter a different spot –different from the one 5 minutes ago.


The furniture materials includes leather, steel, marble among other interesting and yet not common materials. Every Plasma screen can be covered by false wooden walls. The Onyx lamps light the rooms with the exact amount and quality of desired light.
Mr. Aragones is, with no doubt, one of the best young architects in Mexico daring to contribute to this city’s growth, as one of the most important and culturally enriched in Latin American.
These houses and this type of architecture are certainly not for everyone to like or live in, but, like one little -but powerful- fellow said once, stature is not measured from the head to the earth but from the head to the sky. In here, only tall people fit and can fill the rooms, according to this great architect.
Every decoration detail has a well defined artist seal like the coffee and Onyx center piece in the dining room table. The feminine shapes around the house connect you with terrain and creative energy, inviting you to become part of it.
The cost of building this type of architectural space is very large, once accomplished, these livable places are worth astonishing amounts of money; but it comes with a great advantage: style, quality and lots of peaceful moments.
I hope you enjoy this strange hole into a person’s creativity, dedication and imagination as much as we have.
If this white lifestyle is not your ideal architectural space, just flip the page be- cause something colorful is coming right after.

BIG 80’S, GRAPHiC DESIGN AND EXPLOITING YOUR MUSE

BY SHANKAR
ILLUSTRATIONS BY:MARIA SARMIENTO

Back in the 80’s where girls dressed like boys with loose clothes, oversized blazers, short haircuts while the boys liked the eye paint, glossy lipstick and girlish dances, bands like Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, The Cure, INXS and every trans-hair-feminine music group was the ultimate success...
....Back when there was a whole audience for two boys named “Cory” and the coolest thing was to go to the movies to watch the “Brat Pack” wearing a jean jacket, comes the birth of the action figure and the way people see a whole new generation of conceptual characters that detonated one of the first stages in graphic design history.
This 80’s fever blew up basically when a movie director created plastic versions of his sci-fi movie characters, this was called the Star Wars fever, a never-before seen marketing extravaganza that sort of ended 25 years later....This is where the figurines and other interesting adult-toys and articles (not the ones Alberto would talk about in his S.E.X section) became a fundamental part of our childhood and culture evolving in some other ways; later, they divorced in physical and conceptual ways from their ‘ideal parents’ or roll models -Barbie and Ken- starting a new generation of human thoughts.



Can you imagine our generation growing up without figurines? These guys have been more transcendental than we think...
Anyway, several years later, this graphic movement started to flourish when a guy called Bill Gates was forced to re -invest some money in a company that Forrest Gump called ‘some fruit company’ (Apple) in order to avoid a monopoly trial about him controlling the computer world (like he doesn’t, right?).
Once Apple was revived in the early 90’s after being overwhelmed by one of their own creators, the whole graphic design industry became one of the most effective and fast-growing movements in the whole human communication history.... all this thanks to Congress!



These days with the marvelous Macintosh computers being more efficient in every bi-monthly expensive release, graphic arts and proposals have been evolving and becoming accessible to most people, even the non-technological ones.
Today we have different, almost infinite, design and production styles; the graphic design world has amazing dreams and proposals that have become real works of art and creativity, just like our favorite pet: Kuma Distrikt (no offense Ansel and Jelly).
For some people, these figurines are only toys, for some of us they are real forms of modern art. I’m pretty sure of one thing, every time I take a look at some of Maria Sarmiento’s designs they make me feel like the way I felt back then, when some of our most important activities had to do with doing homework and eating our vegetables. I feel that but with the intensity that comes with adulthood.
Although the graphic designer, industrial designer and architect have a very tough place in the communications industry by having to combine an artistic inspiration with a client’s taste, all of them manage to do a bit of everything by becoming inspired, developing the digital file, doing the changes or adjustments and, the most painful one after some long weeks or months, getting paid!
Have you tried to fabricate any art in your office or home lately? Have you tried it even if you think there’s not a single hair of art-talent in your body?
Well, we suggest trying this out! Even if you’re an accountant and have paper clips all over your desk or you’re sitting in this wonderful plane via Mexico or in your home office...go for it an do it only for your own pleasure, once you’re pleased, you can share it with other people.
Look all around for the first thing that catches your eyesight, grab it and like Don Armando Manzanero said in our 3rd issue’s INNERVIEW: Do something pretty with it!
Don’t be afraid of re-shaping it or giving this object a different view, a different life or function, you can re paint it, re use it, give him other object friends that want to share the same space with him, etc. Do something unique with it and feel free to do it! If this object was not yours and you accomplished something that pleases you, ask the person who owns it to donate it for the sake of art.... trust me, great art creations came from moments like this.
I think that ‘creativity’ is another muscle in our body and like the rest of unused muscles, they loose strength and ability, so use yours every day....
One last tip, if you’re a guy, don’t just use this growing creativity to have day sex with every girl that goes by and if you’re a girl don’t just use this creativity to feedback conclusive ideas. This wonderful energy and ability inside every human being is meant to make pretty things and make all of us understand each other in two universal languages: Love and Art.

CASA MORADA: A ZEN OASIS IN THE KEYS

BY SHANKAR AND ISA TRAVERSO-BURGER

Less than two hours away from Miami, in the Key Largo land strip, we found a gem called Casa Morada. This subtle and beautiful boutique-like hotel offers everything your soul needs, from early morning yoga classes to a gentle wind ride around the Key Islands of Florida under the “Sol Sister.” The gentle breeze that fills the atmosphere enhances the girly ‘look and feel’ of this conven- iently located 16-suite hotel.


Casa Morada is a wonderful space that features fantastic plants, water cascade and energy-filled corners where you can disconnect and unwind from all that was attached to your calm, soaking your head and soul.

The superb location where the “Hamaca” rests, expecting someone to enjoy it, is almost like the ‘sunset stage’ of this amazing natural backdrop; It’s where you lay down to experience the view of the ocean as nothing blocks your sight.
Like most hotels of this kind, for the sake of guests aiming to rest, no children are allowed, but well-behaved, small dogs are... if you’re in desperate need for a chill-out weekend, this can be the greatest excuse to leave the little person of the house with granny or auntie for a small worthy break.

The bar area is perfectly entertained by one of the queens that empowers this place. In our first issue, Chef Baez talked about the major role energy plays while preparing food, this Russian lady does a fabulous job manag- ing the oomph by preparing some of the most exquisite cocktails as you enjoy the breathtaking sunset in some of the secluded places around the landscape. Your motivation: a unique view of many of the Florida Keys lying about on the horizon accompanied by the sounds of seagulls.


It is my opinion that this place is truly worth visiting; given it’s closeness to Miami, it’s a perfect hideaway to enjoy with your co-performer, and ideal for your own literature and music when you’re in the mood to be alone but incredibly blissful. Get ready to be back to work with no hassle after a relaxing weekend...Ooops! This reminds me... better keep the im- age of one of the iguanas that lives around the pool near my desktop.

FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN: “MIAMI’S OWN ENERGY VORTEX”

BY SHANKAR AND ISA TRAVERSO-BURGER
PHOTOS BY: ALFONSO CORONA

The Fairchild Tropical Garden founded in 1936 is one of the oldest institutions in Miami Dade. Its main focus is on conservation and education believing that botanic gardens grow people and plants. The peaceful surroundings and interesting art exhibits are an opportunity to explore the ancient link between plants and people. Even if you don’t know about flora and fauna, you will be delighted by the unusual facts and the pleasant journey when you visit this natural habitat. Tropical plants are part of everyday life. Particularly in Miami, we are in a wonderful position to explore.
Chihuly is the precursor of blown glass in the form of sculptures. His inspiration: environmental art.
Now until May 2006, Chihuly’s exhibition will be on display at the garden and in this case it also allows for an education opportunity for students in grades K-12 in order for them to connect glass, nature, ecology and technology. Mike Maunder, Director of the Museum spoke to Distrikt.


Where did you get the idea to bring an artist like Chihuly to the botanical garden?
Over the last three years we have brought more artists to the garden. Venezuelan Patricia Van Dalen, then the Luminous Garden two years ago, the McKee Gallery brought a Daisy Youngblood sculpture. We needed something really big, and with Chihuly we achieved another level.
This is the first of our annual sculptor exhibitions. We present one major art exhibition per year, but smaller artists are presented ongoing throughout the year. There is also the The Rare Event -A Connoisseur’s Auction of Rare and Uncommon Plants- which benefits conservation purposes.


What do you expect from Miami?
Some people don’t even know about us down here, we are Miami’s best-kept secret, a world class, beautiful botanical garden dedicated to conservation. Down the line, we plan to become the central part of Miami, the defining public space.

How will the visit of Chihuly enhance the Fairchild?
Young kids are blown away by the art pieces, people from all over have visited, not only the traditional group that visit the botanical garden on a regular basis. It’s a sad reality that parents take their children to the Fairchild only when the zoo is closed. They should appreciate that they can explore the beauties of the tropics and be exposed to thousands of trees, flowers and plants that you can’t see anywhere near Florida. Our mission is to let everyone understand what the garden is about. We feature live music, have a delicious restaurant on location and many different events and activities throughout the year. The intention is for everyone to know about it.
Even though some people are not sure of what will happen inside the garden after CHIHULY is gone, we thank this beautiful and lively space for bringing to the city the incredible mastery of this world-renowned glass sculptor.