Banking on Global Latins

Pretty cool print campaign by Banco Itaú, the largest private financial institution in Brazil.  Running this month in some of the world’s most elite publications—Institutional Investor, The Economist, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Markets—the full-page ads feature some leading Latins declaring why they consider themselves a “Global Latin American.”  Argentine Polo star and model Nacho Figueras, actress Alicia Braga and artist Vik Muniz, both from Brazil, are the first round of ambassadors, and there are many more who could easily join their ranks:  Shakira?  Salma? Chile’s 33?  The ads were created by the agency Africa currently one of the world’s hottest, and also correspond with the launch of a brand-new Itaú website in English, the language of global Latins everywhere.  If you’re not in the habit of reading any of the aforementioned pubs, you can also check out the ads here.

(Latin) American Airlines

There was a time when, for the discerning international traveler, crossing the Darien Gap on foot may have been considered a more appealing option for getting to South America than having to fly a regional airline: precarious planes; chickens in the cargo hold; schedules slotted according to the principles of magical realism; and flight personnel schooled in the belief that God, literally, was their co-pilot.  

God, now, should turn in his wings.  

In less than a decade Chile’s LAN airlines—which once was simply the state-run carrier in South America’s tiniest country—has capitalized itself across the continent as a modern, efficient and world-class airline, with branding (like an award-winning in-flight magazine, a highly-styled Premium class and state-of-the-art VIP lounges at its hubs) and no-cost accoutrements (organic meals, quality cabernet and seat-back screens) that rival Virgin’s industry monopoly on economy class cool. After privatizing in the 90s, LAN quickly moved to merge with, or acquire outright, neighboring national airlines, and now operates a network under the brand in Peru, Ecuador, Argentina and the DR, as well as own a controlling stake in Mexican company MASAir. Currently LAN is spreading its wings to Colombia—where it recently purchased the local carrier Aires—and Brazil, where it is in the process of merging with national powerhouse TAM. By the end of 2011 LAN will have effectively arrived as the largest and first truly regional airline in Latin America, aptly re-branded LATAM.  All that velocity, over such a short distance of time.  And chickens, still, can be checked for free. 

the liberator's dilemma

Latin America is a simplistic construct of magical realism and insubordinate passions crafted by leftist intellectuals in foreign capitals to entertain themselves while safeguarding their position atop a stratified cultural pyramid. The fabled continent no longer exists as the exotic and surrealist locales and historical dramas have ceded to countries that have become “normal” due to the standardizing power of globalization.

That is the premise behind Jorge Volpi’s “El Insomnio de Bolívar,” loosely translated to “Bolivar’s Insomnia.” The Mexican writer, better known for his Spanish language novels, takes on the task of determining whether Latin America still exists, a question he clearly and positively answers by writing this book. But you would never think it by his defiant and slightly defensive stance and tone. Volpi sees himself and others of his generation as writers who just because they were born in a Latin American country should not be burdened with the weight of the traditional notion of what Latin America is, including the daunting literary legacy of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and magical realism. 

It is this defiance to be easily categorized that gives this book its most appealing quality, a youthful -and Latin- rebelliousness. And while Volpi is effective at reminding us that Latin Americans have changed for both good and bad, he also show us that there’s still a lot that binds the countries of the region together, despite all their differences. The proof lies in the shared histories, the relationship to the Catholic Church, the cyclical presence of populist leaders, income inequalities and much more. And last but not least, the love-hate relationship with the U.S. that reminds Latin Americans how much they truly share. This insightful, fun and smart read leaves us thinking that Latin Americans and Canadians have more in common than we might have originally thought.

Sao Paulo blues

 

Sophomore duds are more easily skirted when the artistic exercise is backed by an earnest and wistful exploration backed by some soul. Brazilian Indie lo-fi chanteuse Ceu sparked waves of favorable critical nods in 2009 with “Vagorosa,” her follow up to her 2005 self-titled debut. “Vagorosa” continues with the formula that made her debut a global Indie favorite including assembled tid-bits of electrojazz, Brazilian choro, Jamaican beats and American-influenced soul and rhythm and blues. Her voice and style, a sultry and tropical version of Portishead as reference, create a lingering and delightful introspection about love, loss, or the small things of life in general. Her album could serve as modern and elegant musical backdrop for the languor of big cities like her native Sao Paulo.

Visit Ceu's website and see the video for "Grains de beauté," from "Vagarosa." 

The Architect Diaries

Elias Redstone by: Jaffer Kolb

Being on the outside can present a freshness of perspective devoid of personal attachments. That’s why when exploring a piece on new Latin American architectural talent we loved what we see in a blog written by Elias Redstone, curator at London’s Architecture Foundation. Redstone was awarded a Churchill grant in late 2008 to survey the new wave of Latin American architects. He traveled throughout the region for almost a year and documented what he saw and liked on a blog entitled “New Architects in Latin America.”  In his blog we see the breadth of his experience as well as the region’s talent and how they marry global tendencies including minimalism and respect for the environment while still articulating a certain Latin American cultural sensitivity. Check out Elias’s blog at http://newarchitects.blogspot.com

The Night Remains the Same

Once little more than a stopover in transit to the wonders of Cusco, Peru’s capital city Lima is now in fact flourishing.   The formerly sleepy cliff-front suburb of Miraflores especially has undergone a renaissance in recent years, and seen rise to a number of boutique hotels, world-class restaurants and high-end luxury shopping and residential developments. But right next door—just a few miles down the Malecon—the bohemian enclave of Barranco and its homegrown gypset aesthetic remains little changed, and amidst the surrounding modernization still manages to maintain the musty colonial seascape charm that has attracted artists, musicians, surfers and other free-spirited sorts for more than a century. The arbiter of Barranco nightlife—the aptly named La Noche—is housed in a two-story salmon-hued casona from the 19th century, and into its fourth decade the bar has also earned its chops as a pioneering music venue, first showcasing a number of contemporary Folklorica, Latin Rock and Afro-Peruvian groups, like Susana Baca and Novalima, who have gone on to worldwide-acclaim.  But if you can’t make it to Lima any time soon, the website is also pretty damn cool. 

A New Design for Cartagena

Giorgio Armani.  Karl Lagerfeld.  Missoni.  These are some of the leading designers who have put their stamp on boutique hotels, extending their global brand in an entirely new direction that, apart from how we dress, now also encompasses the way we travel, play, and sleep.

So far, most of these hotels have been opened far afield—the Middle East, mostly, with a few in Europe—and they are exquisite in service, design and stylized sophistication.  But few are, reportedly, considered warm.  And when developing a brand for Latin America, distance simply doesn’t fly.

The recently opened Tcherassi in the Colombian hot spot of Cartagena is determined to put authenticity back into the designer hospitality trend.  Extending from the idea that the best hosts are always the locals, Tcherassi is a boutique hotel drawn from the design of Silvia Tcherassi, one of Colombia’s most renowned designers who still maintains an active presence in her home country, and continues to draw from its vibrant culture for inspiration.    

Silvia is the first Latin designer to enter into the hotel space, and the Tcherassi strikes the perfect balance for a city as historically and architecturally significant as Cartagena. The hotel property is an impeccably restored Colonial mansion, yet Silvia’s contemporary aesthetic is evident in every detail of the design. 

The hotel’s developers (CF Hospitality out of Miami) plan on following up with boutique properties in other parts of Latin America, but will not necessarily carry over the Tcherassi brand.  Each country has its own history, its own inspirations, its own innovative designers who can add specialized cultural touches to the places where visitors stay.  Because when you travel to another country, wouldn’t you rather sleep with the locals?

some of our favorite places : Gardel, tangos & books in Buenos Aires

The written word and drama go hand in hand on stage. And that is the accidentally artistic premise of Latin America's most grandiose book store, Buenos Aires's El Ateneo. The book store sits pretty at Avenida Santa Fé. Originally constructed as a theater that presented performances by tango legend Carlos Gardel among others, it currently offers thousands of square feet dedicated to literary expressions. Its vast offerings include fiction, non-fiction as well as an extensive array of art books and world music. But the draw is by far the setting befitting a Cortázar or Borges reading. Pick your novel and have a cortado at the café.

drop by if you're in BA El Ateneo

some of our favorite places : café in Sao Paulo

While known for more than serving great coffee -restaurant and cafeteria are tops- Sao Paulo's Octavio Café draws an organic visual inspiration from the bean itself. Everything about coffee informs the experience, starting with a lush organic design that spread to the earth tones dominating the space. The spot is an extension of a broader coffee-based family run business that includes coffee production in Brazil's Alta Mogiana region. Starbucks should draw some inspiration from this good looking and savory experiment down south.

have a virtual cup at octaviocafe.com

Sounds we like: Rita Indiana's Electro Merengue

Rita Indiana, the Dominican Republic's most exciting new artist is back with her sophomore effort, "El Juidero."  A massive explosion of kinetic synthesizers coupled with lush merengue beats, polished off with a pungent free verse that distills the not so-sublime art of life with a hustling, Dominican style. The visuals are bold and nicely art-directed, and at the heart is an enigmatic singer who delivers an eerily hypnotic and androgynous sexuality and attitude. As in her previous release, she mixes smart lyrics (she is also a novelist) with telenovela kitsch and urban badass, served with unrelenting beats. The video for the title single channels seventies blaxpoitation films mixed with Caribbean sass. Perfect for your New Year's fete, with attitude you can dance to.