Felt Art by Akiko Kumazawa

I've had the chance to visit some very interesting exhibitions here in Cali. One that has stand out by far from everything I've had the opportunity to see here is by artist Akiko Kumazawa. She is a Japanese artist that two years ago came to Colombia for an artist-in-residence program and decided to stay. She works mostly with felt and hair, and to tell you the truth makes the most amazing 'objects' out of this wonderful materials (my first encounter with felt was thanks to my sister). This exhibition left me so satisfied and completely happy that someone could create such things with this very fragile, flexible material, and show it in such a spectacular way.

It was funny how the hair pieces reminded me of how many of my own hair I've thrown away. Such a waste! haha.  It was such an inspiration! And entirely motivational really, because now I want to make lots and lots of things! And hopefully my sister will teach me about felt!

Have a great day!
Giannina.

Street-food in Colombia

I love food! All kinds, in all shapes and sizes and flavors. While I'm in our hometown I indulge in absolutely everything...but street food, oh! how I love it! It is fascinating to see the many little carts of fresh fruits or the converted bicycles that now happen to be ovens as well.

Clockwise: Papaya and pineapple, either cut in small pieces or big slices, pandebonos, chontaduros on the red tray, the yellow paper cones contain roasted peanuts, the see through plastic bags have peanuts and raisins or sweetened peanuts.

This little cart sells everything for a good breakfast. Coffee, pandebonos, hojaldras, and buñuelos.

This one is a fruit cart, from papayas, pineapples, mangos, bananas and mangosteen.

These are a few of the very colorful things I get to see and go to while I'm here, and so thankful for it! I hope you get the chance, at some point of experiencing this wonderful and folkloric, little, moving 'restaurants'. 

Have a great Weekend!

Giannina.

Cali, la linda!

Linda, means nice in spanish! You've probably read that my sister and I are from Cali, Colombia! You've probably also heard or read not so nice things about our beautiful country, but sadly thats how bad news works; it gets around faster and makes the rest of the world missinformed. But there is always beauty to be found everywhere, I think.
Yes, it has been tough, and yes, its been insecure in many places, but nowadays its so much better! It somehow seems that the real beauty that it is so easily found everywhere here can now be really appreciated.
Cali is located in the south west of Colombia. We're surrounded by mountains and it is always warm!

Hope you enjoy a little bit of the beauty we grew up in. I'll make sure I share with you the wonderful fruits we have here and the typical food that my sister and I miss the most.

Giannina.