One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen: the home and office of architect Ricardo Bofill, called La Fábrica (“Factory”) near Barcelona. To me, this place is so otherworldly and interesting. It reminds me of the movie Titus (which I adore), and when my husband showed me these photos the other day, my heart swelled. There’s something about the industrial hardness contrasting with the warm homeyness that balances perfectly. Plus, I love that the outside of it kind of looks like Koopa’s castle. It’s absolutely gorgeous.
Once a cement factory from the 1900s, this abandoned structure was discovered by Bofill in 1973. At that time, it was sitting in half-ruins, but he decided to transform the massive engine rooms and silos into his home, guest houses, and office. Today he still lives and works in La Fábrica, and holds exhibitions, concerts, and …CONTINUE →
Last month, some friends and I went to a photography exhibit at Smashbox Studios that was part of the Lucie Foundation’s “Month of Photography” series. I love events like this because I like finding new artists, but I was mainly excited to see the work of Valerie Chiang, a photographer I’ve been following for a couple years. I wanted to meet her and say hi.
When we got to Smashbox, it was completely swarming with people, and I realized I had no idea what Valerie looked like. So I literally just kept asking random folks, “Do you know Valerie Chiang?” Yeah…I was totally the creep at the show.
I finally found her, in case you’re wondering, and she was sweet as could be. So much talent packed into this tiny, cute little person.
Valerie’s work is oddly peaceful, almost like the calm before a storm. It’s a bit otherworldly and very dreamy, sort of like that scene in Barton Fink where Barton gets absorbed by a painting on his hotel wall. To me, her work is right up there with the likes of Alex Prager and Catherine Servel, and I think she’s got a huge future in the photography industry.
How is school going? What are you studying, and how much longer do you have?
School is going well! I’m a film production major at the University of Southern California, and I’m a junior transfer student, which means …CONTINUE →
