The happiest place in the world, it’s official!


Dear Friends,

Greetings from the beautiful Chirripó River Valley of southern Costa Rica!
     This issue of the Monte Azul Newsletter is pleased to pass on the news that Costa Rica has earned its place as the happiest nation on the planet, according to a study conducted by the New Economics Foundation in Britain. The study took into account Costa Rica’s long life expectancy, life satisfaction of its people, its low environmental impact, strong networks of friends and family, a healthy balance between work and play, the large areas of protected lands (about 30% of the country’s territory) and its lack of military forces. More importantly, the report highlights the attitude of its people and their view of what’s important in life.
     At Monte Azul we enjoy crystal clear air, fresh pure water naturally filtered in an underground source (you can taste and feel the difference!), farm fresh foods and exuberant wild life. However, with all of these treasures, it is still our community of caring neighbors that continue to make this a very special place.
     Come and experience it for yourself!

     Randy Langendorfer
     Rob Harley
     Carlos Rojas

Press Release from Costa Rica tourism board
Reserve at Monte Azul Hotel, special 4 nights for the price of 3 (direct reservations only).
Newsletter
Bimonthly
July 2009

 
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Atempora 2008 Natural fiber and aluminum,mixed media
100 x 90 cm | 39 x 35 in

PAULINA ORTIZ
Paulina Ortiz is considered a fiber artist to some, a sculptor to others and a conceptual artist to yet others. Ortiz’s works seem to inhabit multiple domains: ancient, contemporary, organic, structural.
     The raw beauty may at times seem aggressive, contained only by her masterful architecturally or biologically inspired compositions. “Her creations with vegetal elements appear like screaming wounded nature, yet beautiful,” says Pilar Tobon, textile art sculptor and critic, President of Women in Textile Art Organization.
     Ortiz’s work may also have a shamanistic air to them, with mysterious shapes and symbols interwoven with natural elements of bright colors contrasting with earth tones and textures. Their timeless structures are simple and powerful, distilled shapes with an iconic presence that seduce and enchant, often alluding to ceremonies of antiquity. Weaving both literally and figuratively, Ortiz does indeed approach each piece as a ceremony: the collecting of the fiber and materials, the exacting process to prepare them, and the contemplative, intellectual and spiritual process of shaping their ultimate manifestations.
     As pertinent to the prehistoric drawings at Gabillou Cave in the French Dordogne or the majestic garments of Montezuma, Paulina Ortiz’s works speak to the contemporary collector as timely testaments to our own era where humanity’s relationship to nature has never been more relevant. On an aesthetic level, Ortiz manages a bravado of balanced tension between the rudimentary, almost crude materials and the elegant compositions and sophisticated color palette. They are a poetic embodiment of the inseparable relationship between culture and nature. More recently, Paulina Ortiz has produced an exciting new body of work incorporating computerized lighting on large scale installations, an example pictured below.
     Works are currently available for viewing in Costa Rica and New York. To arrange a viewing or for additional information, please contact us at info@monteazulcr.com or by calling 646 478 7038.

Paulina Ortiz Luminarias         Paulina Ortiz Silent Footsteps III (det.)
2008 mixed media natural fiber    2008 mixed media natural fiber




MORE NEWS . . .
Ileana Moya, represented by Monte Azul, teaches sustainability through art.
As part of an ambitious project designed to bring the process of making art into the daily lives of people, four artists have organized to present a workshop open to the public, each with a different social context.
     Ileana Moya heads a program dealing with migration and how migrations affect individuals and ultimately society as a whole, and its effect on the natural environment.
     “We move fluidly from place to place, from one emotion to the next, from one though to the next, without considering our personal story or history.” Ms. Moya guides participants through their own life journeys, as they craft handmade papers using personal items, fragments of clothing and various discards into a work of art, ultimately as portraits of the individual’s migration.
     Sponsored by the prestigious Museums of the Central Bank, Ms. Moya presents her workshop on August 22, 2009 in San José, Costa Rica.
     Please contact the artist directly at ilimm2002@yahoo.com.

Ileana MoyaLos ingredientes
2007 mixed media fiber, handmade paper


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Scarey Good Fun at Café Blue!

Like many fine hotels and restaurants in the area, Monte Azul closes for the month of October. As our opening event for the new season, Monte Azul presents our Halloween Costume Ball offered in two or three night packages.
     The package includes a special Halloween-themed welcome platter upon arrival and of course, a special Halloween treat.
     Enjoy a Brain Hemorrhage or a Dead Spider, among other deliciously creepy cocktails, before dining on your first course of eyeball soup... muah-ha-ha...
     Costumes are required for the evening of October 31, we will be happy to design something special for you upon request! Please contact us with any questions.

soup                                                       dead spider



MORE NEWS . . .
A Special Offer for our newsletter subscribers:
Reserve a Halloween Package by August 31 and receive a free gift basket which includes a bottle of wine and other quality Halloween goodies!


Make sure to use promotion code 1313 when reserving online (direct reservations only).



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Monte Azul Offers Complete Design Services









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Monte Azul Preserve is home to two new babies this year!

The family at Monte Azul is constantly growing. This year our resident family of White Faced Capuchin monkeys delivered two beautiful, healthy babies.
     It is amazing to see these little guys grasp their mothers tightly as she leaps and climbs through the canopy, speedier and even more agile the rest of her clan. Guests and residents alike delight in their presence. Intelligent and entertaining, these friends will make your visit to Monte Azul memorable.





Movies for Trash!

The village of Chimirol,which translates to “Loyal Friend” in Cabecar, the indigenous local language, is dedicated to recycling and sustainability. From zero recycling about a year ago, to doubling the amount recycled every two months, Chimirol has become a model community in the region.
     The local community council is furthering efforts through education in the local schools and parents are responding favorably. One idea inspired by a visitor to Monte Azul is to show movies for children and young adults in the community center. None of the children we have encountered in the village has ever been to a movie theater. The idea is to offer movies and take advantage of the time to present short public service videos on sustainability and recycling. The price of admission would be a bag of recyclable trash per person.
     Monte Azul offers a romantic dinner for two at Café Blue to the lucky winner in the recycling draw. Anyone depositing directly at our scheduled collection.
     Any donated DVDs would be greatly appreciated. The community council is also seeking donations for the projector, estimated at $800.
     Those interested in contributing, please contact Adrian Alvarado at adrian@monteazulcr.com




Photo of the Month

Rock surfing in the Chirripó River!

Nathaniel and Christopher Villa of San Francisco, CA, enjoy their fresh water “on the rocks”...



info@monteazulcr.com
Costa Rica +506 2742 5222
New York 646 478 7038
San Francisco 415 992 8065


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