the plants are shy!

IMG_1973, originally uploaded by cabeca dura.

When we went to Mario Cravo's sculpture park for the last time we found a patch of plants that close when you touch them and sat around trying to trick them for 10 minutes - then we somersaulted down the hill.

After being reassured that we would never be allowed to see Mario himself, some of the girls wandered back into his studio and we were privileged to listen while he talked about tasting and smelling and living Brasil. Certainly an artist who knows his fame, but it was an incredible experience all the same.

SARAh Rede

IMG_1915, originally uploaded by cabeca dura.

Rede! (I really like this word - it's pronounced like hedg-ie, and here it means "network", but it also means "hammock" or "net"...)

We had an incredible chance to visit the open-air hospital factory that provides parts and pieces for hospitals all over Brasil - everything from beams, to hand-rails, to really cool space-age beds. Lots of good discussion about sustainability and specific environmental issues at this spot!

Clara!

IMG_1843, originally uploaded by cabeca dura.

This photo doesn't do Clara justice, but I ought to have blogged about her by now and haven't!

She is an urban studies student in Recife, but has work with O'Norte (Lula's design firm) and came with Lula and Chico to give the architectural tour. Her introduction to this bit of the course came with a great deal of insight and sincerity that taught me a great deal, and had a huge impact on the women.

floor crits!

IMG_1826, originally uploaded by cabeca dura.

One of the groups presenting their ideas for the hill. Jay had each group take on a different aspect (water/agua, handrail/corremao, surface/superficie, benches/bancos, e landscape/paisagem), so they drew and presented and shuffled groups, and drew and shuffled and drew and shuffled til everyone had a chance at everything.

getting back to the blog!

IMG_1823, originally uploaded by cabeca dura.

So, life's soundtrack isn't in portuguese these days, but I'm procrastinating on some other work and thought I'd put up some more photos!

This is one of the student drawings for water solutions - inspired by the drains at Lina Bo Bardi's MoMA in Salvador. We ended up using a modified version on the hill that is elegant in its own right.