Field Notes
A binnacle of Mariana's tasteful footsteps
From the Alps to the Andes
October 2, 2019
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...
All Field Notes
Summer movies to travel the world...
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.
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.
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 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.
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…
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.
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
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.
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Summer movies to travel the world...
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.
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.
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 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.
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…
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.
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
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.
