Mariana's Exploration Notes

So Long Summer

mariana@marianavelasquez.com (Mariana Velasquez) — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 11:45:12 GMT

This season we traveled... only through film.

Summer movies to travel the world...

It is not a secret that movies are one of my obsessions. Wether in solitude, in groups, with my mom or my husband the ritual of going to the movies is one I yearn for. This summer I found myself watching over and over again some transportive European classics that have always been at the top of my list.

We had plenty of days to enjoy movies at home that managed to transport us from Pantelleria to Rome. Finding comfort in the story telling and the illusion of a vivid summer in coastal cities with the Mediterranean breeze.

Here are 5 irresistible films, where cinematography, wardrobe, plot and craftsmanship I hope you’ll enjoy as much as I do.

Call Me By Your Name (2017) by Luca Guadagnino

The Bigger Splash (2015) by Luca Guadagnino

Stealing Beauty (1996) by Bernardo Bertolucci

Purple Noon (1960) by René Clément

La Dolce Vitta (1960) by Federico Fellini.

So here it is, to the last gasp of summer and may movies continue to inspire you, at least, until next summer

Salamina, The city of Light

mariana@marianavelasquez.com (Mariana Velasquez) — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 19:19:15 GMT

The town of Salamina, Colombia is a small colonial town, surrounded by coffee plantations and perched on the Andes mountains.

My great great grandfather was a medical Doctor right there in Salamina. The town’s main square has a plaque in his honor. My family is proud of our provenance in that little town that the locals also refer to as the “City of Light”, for the many poets, musicians, writers and artists born in that mystical place.

On my last trip to Colombia’s coffee growing region I researched the cuisine of these small towns for my upcoming cookbook, so I had the pleasure of rediscovering this place through its details, flavors, colors and feel.

A place where history is mirrored by the colorful balconies, the terracotta roofs and the ornate wood work that decorates windows and doors.

Central patios filled with red, pink and yellow flowers are the foyer that welcome you; along with the infallible offer of a “tinto”, a black coffee served in tiny porcelain cups, with or without sugar on the side.

A TROPICAL SENSE

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 15:54:19 GMT

On creating and letting elements guide the way.

Above: Camu Camu, amazonian fruit.

I find myself standing in front of a long table of treasures. 115 tropical fruits, vegetables, seeds, spices, nuts, flowers, vines and roots.I take a deep breath and say-- let’s organize these by color.

Above: Cacao Cobs

I had been commissioned to create 3 images for the cover of WOK, a Southeast Asian restaurant in Bogotá which holds some of the most admirable sustainable practices in the world. The vision I was meant to interpret and create meant I had to lose all structure and begin creating.

Above: Guanábana or Soursop-- my second favorite fruit

First choosing the surface. Then begin by placing the anchoring elements. From large to small, making a composition with movement and flow. Adding flowers, leaves, vines that attribute a botanical character and give an almost alive perspective.

Above: wild raspberries

Elements that over the years have become my DNA in trace and essence. Silhouettes that embellish with meaning and when I least expect it, have transformed a photograph into a story.

More than ingredients, perhaps more than those necessary details, today, they become references of sustainability, of consciousness. A new project of which I am fascinated to be part of, which bets, sees and understands a context, a reality. WOK, Colombian restaurant and space that represents Asian food. A project that manages to work with the community, with the objectives of RECOGNIZING our roots and promoting the field. An ideal of sustainability that leads us to belong to be interpreters of what is ours.

Stay tuned for the final images...

A Week Ago...

mariana@marianavelasquez.com (Mariana Velasquez) — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 14:50:09 GMT

6 days ago, before it all felt surreal and uncertain I made my last flower market run.
We were shooting a cookbook and in-spite of feeling fearful and panicked we decided that the images we made that day would be an homage to the work we love doing.

Right downstairs on 28th street at the NYC flower market is my favorite shop Dutch Flower Line. Spring in full force. Peas, tulips, Japanese Ranunculus, poppies...

Nature keeps on teaching us, showing us and we still don't seem to listen. On the other hand, taking the time to admire its beauty and the perfection of its creations. Humbling and eye opening.

Now we are home. Taking the time to think, to observe, to explore. Some times with discomfort and others with utter joy to finally have the mental space to simply be.

Butterfly Butterfly

mariana@marianavelasquez.com (Mariana Velasquez) — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 14:01:41 GMT

Nature vibrates around us and yet we tend to miss its magic by being distracted in our digital lives. The wisdom and utter perfection of nature show us patience, balance, faith.

It was not a coincidence to meet these people when in search for an object to give to our wedding guests. We wanted something that represented the lush tropics of Colombia and for this to be a present to always remember.

They are 2 brothers that have dedicated more than 10 years to investigate and understand this majestic creatures. They have a Butterfly Farm where they are amazed by their many colors and forms. Its located at Escuela de Corregimiento de Providencia, here they dedicate themselves on the reproduction of different species, opening their doors to students that are interested in this beautiful world of entomology.

They know so much about butterflies that it makes us question ourselves about their important presence around us. This motivates us to conserve and preserve all natural resources and to love and respect nature even more. Butterflies are wonderful insects with brightly colored wings, they captivate everyone's attention wherever they fly. They are a perfect example of transformation, patience and change. They transport pollen to plants helping with pollination, which is fundamental for nature's balance.

These Farms are the perfect way to keep the species alive, and Colombia is one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity in the planet; we have the privilege to say we have 3500 species. All of the species are kept in closed, humid and nutrient rich farms where they prepare for reproduction and therefore to the process of transformation from an egg to a caterpillar and then finally to an adult butterfly.

These brothers perform this beautiful practice where they show us how the world needs this kind of activities where we can give a little back to our planet earth.

From the Alps to the Andes

mariana@marianavelasquez.com (Mariana Velasquez) — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 14:58:01 GMT

A cheese project took me back home to Bogotá... I visited the cheese makers of Alpina, a creamery founded by Swiss immigrants 75 years ago in the outskirts of Bogota's Savana.

I arrived at 4am, long before dawn to see the the arrival of milk coming from the near by farms. Dressed in full gear, at a nippy 43 F, I entered the space where blue cheese is made by hand by a man in his late 60's who has had the job for more than two decades. As we stepped into the space she murmured- no bad thoughts, words, or insults- cheese is very sensitive.

The metal pots above are for making Tilsit and they have been in use since the beginning of the creameries' time.

After a morning of cheese tasting, interviewing the Master Cheese Maker and learning about the ins and outs of the fascinating- and very much alive- world of cheese- I headed into to the town of Sopó, 39 KM north of Bogotá. Perched on the foothills of the eastern branch of the Andes which opens up the valley surrounded by a foggy, eucalyptus scented savana... The Muiscas, were the indigenous tribe that ruled this area before colonial times. Their language was chibcha they were goldsmiths, ceramists and salt harvesters. Their work was delicate and ceremonial.

I was walking around the town, which as little left of its original clay roofs and wooden balconies and I took a glance out of the corner of my eye into a dark store front. Ceramic spoons hanging off the wall with numbers. I walked in and asked the woman behind the counter- she gave me a bland smirk and said- they are for melting silver and gold.

I was fascinated by their organic shape, imperfections and unique color. The way the clay turns into different colors and shades in the oven. Each one is just so. Immediately I envisioned these as vessels for sea salt, chermula or zaatar...

I am Milano

jp@minds3t.com (Juan Pablo Davila) — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 05:34:14 GMT

Ever since I saw Luca Guadagnino’s In the Mood For Love Milan became an aesthetic obsession for me. Not only is it a city that hosts one of the most influential shows in the World Il Salone del Mobile, but it is also one of the chickest and sophisticated places… all behind closed doors…

Rosana Orlandi is such a magical store, I spend hours exploring, opening drawers, sifting through prints and textiles when I visit.

To see and understand Milano you have to be willing to make showroom appointments, walk through the gates into back patios and visit factories.

Many of our housewares, are and will be, inspired by my trips to this stone cool yet fascinating city…

Richard Ginori and their fabulous porcelain bugs.

And off course… the markets. In Italy there is a market everyday of the week somewhere in town. I adore running into stands filled with quince, ice shelves upholstered in the freshest seafood and lovely veggies like treviso radicchio, finocchio and so on

A Cookbook Adventure

jp@minds3t.com (Juan Pablo Davila) — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 05:15:53 GMT

A cookbook Shoot

Words cannot describe the scents of the city’s waving streets, the beauty of the night market, the purples, lavenders and greens of the Atlas mountains. Here is a photo essay of a trip I made to Marrakech a few years back to shoot and style the James Beard Award Winning cookbook The Food of Morocco by Paula Wolfert. I traveled across the Atlantic with the brilliant Australian Photographer Quentin Bacon and with my dear friend Natalia to photograph the recipes for Wolfert’s book. Natalia and I shopped at the traditional markets inside the Medina, Schlepped baskets of eggplants, tomatoes and spices. We looked for props at the flea markets and antique shops.

Sesame cookies and “the Snake” filo wrapped pistachios, walnuts and honey

Street food- we tasted everything, from snail soup to these breads baked in the communal ovens and filled with braised potatoes and jammy tomatoes

Mint tea and stewed butternut squash

Mrs. Fazia taught us how to make Pastilla on my first trip- so I returned to visit her 3 years later. She spoke only spoke arabic and we communicated with signs, food and smiles.

Tiles, mosaics, patterns, design.

Jamaica Market in DF

jp@minds3t.com (Juan Pablo Davila) — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 05:02:13 GMT

Markets reveal a city’s heart and soul. On my last visit to Mexico City I was searching for flowers for a new fragrance campaign shoot. We started our visit in the rose section and as we walked about calla lilies, carnations, foliage and kitschy arrangements I understood a little bit more about this city’s passion for color and vibrancy

Zucchini flowers and huitlacoche- the fungus that grows on corn and tastes like truffles...

Sometimes the “ back of the house” holds all the treasures

In my obsession for all things rosa I stumbled upon this sweet sweet pink meringue. Don Rodolfo told us how these are a family recipe brought by his grandfather from Italy at the turn of last century.

Contrasts- color blocking even when it comes to bundles of siempre vivas- the traditional flowers

M Schelleping…

Florals 9000 ft Up in the Andes

jp@minds3t.com (Juan Pablo Davila) — Thu, 25 Jul 2019 19:44:08 GMT

Thick fog rolls over the Andes mountains in Bogotá...

Before dawn, thick fog rolls over the Andes mountains in Bogota. A city perched at 9000 ft above the sea is cool and crisp, with swaying eucalyptus and pine trees framing her. The Paloquemao flower market opens when it is still dark and vendors unpack their treasures using flashlights and now, more and more, cell phone lights.

I often land to my hometown on the redeye flight and on my way home make a stop at this market for some inspiration and short rib broth- a restorative soup we Bogotanians eat for breakfast …

Bellow, is my journey through the market and later on location styling a beautiful wedding. In my next life I'll be a florist.

Making large arrangements for the dessert table.. Natural flowy, not an expert but I love it.

Short Rib and Potato Broth at Dona Isabel’s stand at the market- Loads of cilantro and an assertive squeeze of lime

Bethehem’s Star and tiny roses

The Wedding Location