Permaculture

•’PERMACULTURE’ is a word that was originally coined in the mid seventies by two Australians, David Holmgren and Bill Mollison, to describe the design system pioneered as a response to what they, and many others globally, saw as serious challenges to the survival of all of us. Originally derived from the words ‘PERMAnent agriCULTURE’, permaculture has gone beyond it’s roots in looking at strategies to create sustainable food growing methods to become a worldwide movement encompassing all aspects of how we as human beings can live harmoniously in relation to our Earth and it’s finite resources- A PERManent CULTURE. Permaculture now probably has as many defintions as there are practitioners, but one that is particularly useful might be- "CREATING SUSTAINABLE HUMAN HABITATS BY FOLLOWING NATURE'S PATTERNS"

Tryptique

Arquitetura de Emocões

Looking back at my project proposal - Creating Spaces of Storytelling in Community

The way cultures tell stories shapes the nature of their physical surroundings. Architecture is not only about building physical structures, but also about letting spaces come to life and tell their own stories through the dynamic interchange of people, culture, and ideas. For my Fulbright project I propose to work in Udaipur, in India’s western state of Rajasthan to research how the act of storytelling can inform the architectural design process and be used as a tool to get people involved in imagining, dreaming, and creating the future of their communities.

Storytelling within the built environment happens in various forms ranging from murals to live performances to cinema. As an American, I have a different understanding of how public and private spaces relate to the telling of stories than many other cultures around the world. India, for example, is a rapidly emerging T.V. society, but the way Indians watch T.V. is different from the way Americans do. In the United States, there is a strong emphasis on individualized spaces whereas in India, especially in rural regions, watching T.V. becomes a very social activity and families will often invite friends and neighbors over to watch a show. I am interested in how communities can engage in the act of telling their own stories as a way to exchange knowledge, and how this new form of collaboration and sharing can influence how spaces are designed and constructed. Storytelling has the capability of bringing together different generations and stimulating imagination, creative thinking, and dialogue.

My decision to work in the city of Udaipur is based on the fact it is home to the Shikshantar Learning Center and the West Zone Cultural Center, which are two organizations that I hope to work closely in collaboration with. Shikshantar was started over 7 years ago by Manish Jain, Vidhi Jain, and Wasif Rizvi and has been active within the community of Udaipur by hosting dialogues, developing learning parks, and offering children and families festivals and workshops on creative expression and cooperative games. I met Manish in 2007 when I attended a gathering of Berkana Learning Centers. The Berkana Institute forms partnerships with a diversity of communities around the world in response to the current global crisis. It believes that problems can be tackled by working with the wealth and wisdom already present in the people, traditions, and environments of communities. Shikshantar’s ideological foundation is built on the concept of Swaraj, or rule over oneself, and is a call for people to lead and create their own models of development that are holistic, pluralistic, sustainable, collaborative, just and anticipatory. My hopes are to work with Shikshantar and learn how they engage people in community collaboration and action in challenging outdated systems and patterns of behavior.

The Indian Government created the West Zone Cultural Center in 1986 to help preserve India’s rich cultural heritage in the face of a rapid trend towards westernization. The WZCC is part of seven cultural centers throughout India and contains facilities for the development of traditional folklore, performing arts, visual arts, and tribal artforms. It strives to create links between cultural institutions ranging from the local to national level. The WZCC will be another institution that will act as a mentor to me by providing access to the region’s colorful folklore and rich tradition of craftsmanship as well as connections with local communities.

My architecture education over the past five years has prepared me in many ways to initiate and carry out a project such as the one I am proposing. I have been trained to envision what is possible and to translate these ideas into drawings, models, and physical forms in order to communicate to others. I am well versed in computer programs and concepts needed to design structures as well as compose visual and written materials. Another set of valuable skills I have acquired is an understanding of the functional aspects of building such as ventilation and water systems, structural behaviors, and how light and climate act on buildings.

By participating in Fulbright I hope to act as a cultural ambassador and in doing so provide a fresh perspective to inhabitants of Udaipur as well as gain a rich understanding of how people in Udaipur and India tackle problems at a variety of scales. The project I am proposing will be about exchanging knowledge and skills, as well as building something alongside the community that stimulates cultural sharing and strengthens local connectivity.

Green Soup

Inspired by a soul-nourishing weekend at Eliane and Naninho's house. Soup, family, friends, music, booty-shakin', fire, ♥.

1 large yellow onion (250g)
2 tablespoons (30 ml.) olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, plus more to taste
1 large sweet potato (12 ounces; 350 g)
1 large leek, white and light green parts (5 ounces; 140 g)
1 bunch spinach (8 ounces; 225 g)
1 large bunch green chard (12 ounces; 350 g)
3 tablespoons (30 g) chopped fresh ginger, plus more to taste
2 cups (500 ml) good-tasting vegetable broth
2-4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
freshly ground black pepper

sprouted lentils

cilantro, sprouted lentils and green onion for garnish

* adapted from Green Soup with Ginger

Mari's Birthday Cake

Cake Ingredients

1 1/4 cups organic flour
1 cup organic sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup warm water
1 tsp vanilla extract

3 tsp coconut oil

1/2 cup sunflower oil
1 tsp distilled white or apple cider vinegar

Chocolate Glaze

1/2 cup sugar
3 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp coconut milk
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp vanilla extract

*adapted from the Best Chocolate Cake Ever Recipe

a small story of love

Let me tell you a story

of a small group that gathered together at Ana's house

on July 19th

to share

and remember

and dream on

the sparkle in their eyes...

makes it all worthwhile

and Vila Pantanal shines brightly on

what was said and planned

was not spoken through a microphone

nor to a large audience

but the words that were spoken were true

and moved more than mountains

among inspiration, agreements, worries, and hopes

we celebrated what is being born

Deixo te contar uma história
de um pequeno grupo de pessoas que se reuniram na casa de Ana
no dia 19 de julho
para compartilhar
lembrar
e sonhar

o brilho nos seus olhos ...
faz tudo valer a pena

e a Vila Pantanal continua brilhando

o que foi dito e planejado não foi anunciado através de um microfone
nem para um grande público
mas as palavras que foram ditas eram verdadeiras
e mais do que montanhas moveram

entre inspiração, acordos, preocupações e esperanças
comemoramos o que está a nascer

Family Tree

because I'm obsessed with hands... and cities

LOOP - BIG's LOOP CITY from BIG on Vimeo.

The Poetics of Possibility, Dreaming a home

One Word

“One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?” (Author: Gwen Bell)

2010
Transition
Completion, New Beginnings, Continuation. I began my year in Brazil at my aunt's farm - Fazenda Bom jardim. Returned to San Fran to complete my last semester at CCA. Graduation and completion. And then a new beginning, moving to Santos to work at Elos. Continuation of working towards bringing different areas of my life closer together; Spirituality, Sustainability, Architecture; North and South America. Becoming more of a connection and bridge. My aunt and uncle visiting the U.S. for the first time. Generation Waking Up in Colorado and Rodrigo visiting the U.S. for the first time. Moving to Brasil, getting to know São Paulo, spending more time with my family here.

2011
Liberation
Letting go of all that is holding me back, all that has accumulated but doesn't serve a purpose any longer, all that is stagnant, all that needs to be healed so that I can be free to experience new and wonderful things. Becoming lighter and at the same time ever more centered and grounded. Having a space to call home. Letting go of fear and allowing new energy and dreams come to fruition. Abundance, creativity, travel, and sharing. Clear communication, true friendship, and wild enjoyment. Magic.

Sublime

In October of 1717, Dom Pedro de Almeida passed through the town of Guaratinguetá on his way to Vila Rica, a gold-mining town. Since he was the governer of São Paulo and Minas Gerais at the time, the residents of Guaratinguetá decided to host a feast in his honor. They sent the men down to the nearby Paraíba river hoping to catch some fish to please Dom Pedro de Almeida. Unfortunately it was not fishing season and the men had little luck catching any fish. The fishermen were desperate and began to pray. They continued to cast their nets, but still no luck. They cast their nets one final time in desperation and to their bewilderment pulled something quite heavy to the surface. It was a statue of a body with a missing head! Alarmed, they cast the net once again and what did they catch? The statue's head! They cleaned the statue up to discover it was a black version of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Suddenly the statue's weight increased and it became so heavy that the men couldn't move it from it's resting place on the boat, so they wrapped it in cloth and tried their luck at fishing once again. Suddenly they began to catch fish. Not just one or two fish, hundreds of them! There were so many fish the boat almost sank. And this is how the first miracle of Our Lady of Aparecida happened.

Uma Casa Muito Engraçada/ A Very Funny House

This was one of my favorite songs to sing when I was little:

Era uma casa
Muito engraçada
Não tinha teto
Não tinha nada
Ninguém podia entrar nela, não
Porque na casa não tinha chão
Ninguém podia dormir na rede
Porque na casa não tinha parede
Ninguém podia fazer pipi
Porque penico não tinha ali
Mas era feita com muito esmero
Na rua dos Bobos
Número zero

There was once
a very funny house
it didn't have a ceiling
it didn't have anything
no one could enter
because there was no floor
no one could sleep in the hammock
because there was no wall
no one could go pee
because there was no toilet
but it was built with much care
on Fool's Street
number zero

Benke

Beija-flor me chamou: olha
Lua branca chegou na hora
O Beija-Mar me deu prova:
Uma estrela bem nova
Na luminária da mata
Força que vem e renova

Beija-Flor de amor me leva
Como o vento levou a folha

Minha Mamãe soberana
Minha Floresta de jóia
Tu que dás brilho na sombra
Brilhas também lá na praia

Beija-Flor me mandou embora
Trabalhar e abrir os olhos

Estrela d’Água me molha
Tudo que ama e chora
Some na curva do rio
Tudo é dentro e fora
Minha Floresta de jóia

Tem a água
tem a água
tem aquela imensidão
tem sombra da Floresta
tem a luz do coração
Bem-querer!!!

* Essa canção é o nome de um curumim do povo Kampa e é dedicada a todos os curumins de todas as raças do mundo

translation:

Hummingbird called to me: look
White moon’s time has arrived
The ocean’s kiss gave me proof
A young star
In the light of the forest
Strength that comes and renews

Hummingbird of love take me
Like the wind took the leaf

My sovereign mother
My jeweled forest
You who gives light in the darkness
Also shines there upon the shore

Hummingbird sent me away
To work and open eyes

Water Star splash me
All that loves and cries
Disappears in the curve of the river
Everything is inside and out
My forest of jewels

Is the water
Has the water
Has that immensity
Has the shade of the forest
Has the light of the heart
Wishing well!

I remember my mom playing this song at home when I was little. It brings tears to my eyes. At the School of Warriors Without Weapons 2007 I met the man the song was written about- Benke. He showed up as if out of nowhere and brought his wisdom and stories to teach to the group. At Bioneers later that year, I got to be one of the youth who hosted the 13 indigenous grandmothers. My grandmother was Maria Alice from the Amazon. Her daughter was also there and I later found out that she knew Benke well.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for

A time to fully step into ourselves.

I find myself back in the Triangulo Mineiro region, in the state of Minas Gerais where I spent a year of my life in 2003-04. Last time I was here, 8 months ago, I wondered when I would return again, thinking it wouldn’t be for at least another 3 years. And now here I am, looking back in awe at the series of events that brought me back so much sooner than I had imagined.
Since arriving in Santos, on July 31st, I have been staying at Thais and Fabio’s apartment in Vila Belmiro, home of the famous Santos Futbol Stadium. I met Thais in 2007 during the School of Warriors Without Weapons. She was a Warrior in 1999 and had been working at Elos since then. I have been learning a lot from her each day- her willingness to take on what needs to be done, whatever the cost, how she sees the world as fully hers to be molded and transformed, her ruthless revolutionary spirit and fearless leadership, her embodiment of the belief that she can and will make a difference, her strong will and persistence in pushing for justice and the best possible world- no exceptions. I have been observing and absorbing.
I have also been noting synchronicities - It’s amazing how the smallest details and alignments assure you that you’re exactly where you need to be. Before I started staying at Thais’ house, she and her in-laws had planned a trip to Minas Gerais including a stop in Prata, a town of 27,000 where I was the first exchange student and lived for a year. What are the odds? Thais’ in-laws, Eneias and Rita, have good friends that live on the exact same street where I lived, and are good friends with my host-mother Eloisa.
Visiting Prata with Thais has made me look at the town in a new way. I have been trying, more and more each day to face the world with open eyes, an open heart, and a strong back- to truly be awake to what is happening, noting what has made me feel numb in the past, and allowing myself to open up to feel and sense.
What I heard during my visit this time: The school is falling apart. A little boy lost his father on his birthday- his father was on a motorcycle and got stuck between two cars and then sucked under one of them. In another car accident, a woman was decapitated. “Mother, what is happening to the people of Prata?” All the men do is drink. Drugs, people’s homes getting robbed. You’d think in a small town, it wouldn’t be like this. Tim’s cell phone got stolen the day I arrived. “Prata doesn’t move forward.”
It makes me feel uncomfortable, hearing these stories because I don’t know how I can help, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be shared, shouldn’t be talked about.
I am also becoming more aware of the media’s influence on the people here, especially of the image we as Americans put out. I want to show people here that my American side is different from the images of America they see in music videos, in the messages from the mainstream. I’m tired of the two sides of me competing.
So I am realizing and I am learning. Learning more about the walls of separation I have built to defend myself, loving and letting them fall away, not in shame, but in loving liberation- to become a warrior without weapons, a rainbow warrior, a warrior of the heart. Learning to be transparent, truthful, learning each day how to become more humble, and how to love in others and in myself what I fear in myself. I am learning how to love my fears and let them be transformed.

Sharing a Meal

Cooking a meal for a group of people makes me appreciate all the care and love that goes into food, from earth to plate. It makes me appreciate all the recipes passed down to my grandmother, to my mother and aunts, and now to me. I cooked a meal for 16 today at Elos! I couldn't have done it without the help of Simone who was a superpower and was always ready help and to keep things moving. During times like these I feel humbled and grateful for the nourishment I receive every day. At the table were Andre, Andreia, Carla, Dimas, Gilson, Laura, Marina, Mariana, Mariana, Paulo, Rodrigo, Simone, Thais, Val, and Zelia. mmm. Lots of emotions during preparation! I've never had to cook for a group of this size! I'm glad I pulled it off (with the help of many others, of course) and was able to share a few of my favorite flavors.

Sharing a Meal

Menu
Gazpacho
Mango + Watercress Salad
Puchero (Garbanzo Bean Soup)
Escarola Pie

Strawberry + Cream desert