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| Newsletter August 2007 | |||||
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Contemporary Costa Rican artist, Ileana Moya is formally trained in the fine art of printmaking and her work has been collected and exhibited internationally. In recent years she has focused her artistic energies on fiber art, with Monte Azul hosting her new paper art studio. Combining printmaking with the art of handmade paper, Ms. Moya collects and skillfully uses fabric and natural fibers such as heliconia (tropical flowers), orchids and coffee blossoms to create this noteworthy and extraordinary body of work. These pieces have the subtle power to engage the viewer in a visual discourse of elegant compositions and unusual juxtapositions of textures and images. The works’ often enigmatic narrations slowly unfold, beckoning the viewer to indulge in it’s intricate details.
The most astonishing factor is the artist’s ability to “paint” with pulp and fiber, where imagery is integrated into the paper’s fiber, not existing simply on the surface. Coarse blue textures are derived from denim, specs of color and glimmers of light come from consumer discards. The “magic” is in the process, were wet, amorphous pulps are skillfully blended together to create the image. Remarkably, the artist manages to integrate textures and materials that would challenge even the most skilled chemist and still makes it look effortless and graceful. Only an experienced eye can identify the inclusion of printed images. At first hand the work is almost unassuming, it does not clamor for attention. Like the artist herself, each piece is soft-spoken, elegant and does not reveal the depths of it’s details immediately to the viewer. Instead, the work on paper, which, in fact, can be more more precisely described as “a work of paper” is like a small microcosm, |
existing on several parallels: personal, formal and organic. Even the brighter colored pieces belie their boldness with subtle compositions. On a personal level, much of Moya’s work refers to her own status as a woman, as a Costa Rican and also to a collective humanity, with recurring subject of male-female relationships. Bits of torn fabric incorporated into the pulp refer to her physical relationship to the world around her. Therefore, coffee blossoms and orchids, both national icons, are not simple decorative elements, but combined with bits of the artist’s personal garments, they assert her identity within a Costa Rican fine art context and with a tribute to her feminine gender, a frequent theme in her work. Nonetheless, Moya’s feminist views are not reduced to simplistic, politically correct aphorisms or clichés, instead, her optimism and strength communicate to a wider audience. In a broader context, the metaphors also refer to the integration and sustainability of ecology with human society.
From an aesthetic perspective, Moya’s work satisfies with elegant compositions, exquisite color placement and seductive textures. The flowers which on one hand can be interpreted in a more sociopolitical context are also, quite simply, lovely natural elements, adding delicacy and an infusion of life to the works. Ms. Moya is currently expanding this body of work at her new studio in Monte Azul. For additional information please visit her page on our website under “Fine Art” (click here). Feel free to contact us at info@monteazulcr.com with any questions of comments. |
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Monte Azul is fortunate to have on staff a prominent member of the community, Antonio Segura, as Nature Preserve Director and Manager of Natural Resources. Mr. Segura has managed and cared for the Monte Azul property over the last twelve years, ten of which were prior to Monte Azul’s acquisition. When he arrived at the property, Mr. Segura recalls a time when he only counted seven Capuchin monkeys. His concern for the environment lead him to encourage others to protect the area’s declining but still profuse flora and fauna. Thanks to his efforts and to those of our neighbors, that same band of monkeys now boasts numbers near 50 individuals. These same efforts to protect our native species and habitats have also attracted a large band of Spider Monkeys who share (not always peacefully!) Monte Azul Preserve’s bounty. With his whole life working the land and with several courses in forestry and agriculture through Costa Rica’s many public and private study programs, Mr. Segura was happy to learn of Monte Azul’s purpose for most of it’s 48 hectares (about 125 acres). Although most of the property is still primary rainforest, there are many acres of pasture land to reforest, a |
remnant of the property’s former life as a dairy farm. Our mission statement directed us to restore the forest to these acres of pasture and Mr. Segura was the ideal person for the job. He is creating a five year restoration plan which will also serve as a source of employment for the community. In order to supply the forest with native trees, shrubs and plants, Mr. Segura initiated Monte Azul’s own organic nursery. He has also created a plan for a network of trails that wind and climb through various points of interest, including our organic coffee plantation, enabling guests to enjoy and explore the forest close up while respecting its wilderness. Antonio Segura’s contagious smile, kind nature and dedication to the environment has made him a beloved and important asset to Monte Azul. Born in nearby Monterrey, only two kilometers away, Mr. Segura now lives with his wife and three of his five children just across the river from Monte Azul. |
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CHIMIROL SOCCER TEAM, LOCAL HEROES -Adrián Alvarado Martínez About us: We are a group of friends who like the sport, we love soccer . We enjoy playing for hours every Sunday, it does not matter who wins, we play to relax, sharing the experiences with our families and friends is the most important thing. In our county, Pérez Zeledón of San José, we playing soccer every Sunday morning. Each match is a new challenge, from the start of the game through to the last second, everybody has the same goal: to win; although, the scores are not the most important things. Although one thing is sure, each match is an opportunity to meet new friends as well as spend 90 minutes of hard physical activity. On the other hand, Chimirol soccer team gives us the opportunity to participate in different activities with our neighboring communities; because in our area each community organizes various activities where sports are an important role, we always enjoy collaborating with them. Win or lose, the most important thing is to participate, compete and be a part of the team. The team of DEPORTIVO CHIMIROL is as follows:
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH Submitted by ALVARO GOMEZ
New additions to the population at Monte Azul, welcomed with some beautiful orchids! (top center of picture) |
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