Mexico city: In search of the unicorn

with Fernando Cordero, (and Fernanda De Icaza, Ximena Alvarez, and George Nobechi)

dates: September 21st - 30th, 2024

Mexico City is like a nation-state unto itself with its own distinct culture. Sometimes it feels like a living, breathing creature - alive, raw, fascinating. At other times, it turns into a surreal mosaic of sights, sounds and energy.

We at Nobechi Creative are excited at the prospect of tapping into our other heritage, and we believe deeply in the potential for both photography and cultural enrichment that is available in the capital.  

And, in the tradition of our workshops in Japan as well as online, we believe in bespoke experiences, tailored to the strengths of our instructors, and utilizing our local knowledge. In the hometown of two of our staff, we will be able to provide the kinds of deep cultural engagement and access that you have come to expect from our programs in Japan.

There is only one “first time” and we are very happy to share that first time with the magical world of Fernando Cordero’s photography and philosophy. Our whole team will be on hand to support this artistic and cultural and photographic experience, with our director George Nobechi flying in from Japan to join us as well. We look forward to hosting you in this very special experience.

Working in architectural photography is, for me, a pleasant experience because I found in architecture the scenery and stage of a drama that, by human nature, always occurs in every space.

“The search for the unicorn in the apprehension of images” is a narrative by the master Carlos Jurado, who experimented in many ways with nineteenth-century processes, some complex and others very simple, revealing other realities beyond what traditional photography does. Nowadays, with a large part of these almost forgotten techniques recovered, we have a wide range of very expressive tools for the search for these very elusive, magical, mythical beings.

In my experience, these beings are less shy with traditional analog technologies. They lend themselves more easily to be seen. Fortunately, this magic happens in ways for which there are still no formulas. They simply happen, or not. Many times they are so elusive that it is people unrelated to us who discover the unicorns (do not imagine the unicorn as a white horse with a horn; although it can happen).

I am Fernando Cordero, and this course is aimed at people willing to tolerate the impertinence of magical beings in the search for emotional architectures.

- Fernando Cordero

overview

Mexico is celebrated for its rich culture and diversity, where everyday life seamlessly blends the surreal and the mystical, turning cities, villages, and landscapes into endless sources of artistic inspiration.

This diverse blend of styles, influences, and traditions converge in the country's capital, Mexico City. Nestled in the Valley of Mexico, the city traces its roots back to ancient Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire, and serves as a melting pot of traditions that intertwine in its lively streets where past and present coexist in unity. It combines the ancient, with pre-columbian structures showcasing the wisdom of past civilizations; the colonial, marked by vibrant baroque architecture found nowhere else; and the modern, boasting a mix of neighborhoods, towns, haciendas, and skyscrapers.

In this immersive experience that includes much more than your run-of-the-mill workshop, we’ll explore Mexico City alongside Fernando Cordero, a distinguished Mexican architectural photographer, who will guide us in photographing the city's buildings, sights, and people with our analog cameras. We’ll also be experiencing and visiting wonderful cultural sites, as well as taking in the amazing local cuisine. The entire Nobechi Creative team will be present and assisting Fernando: Ximena and Fernanda who were born and raised in Mexico City and George, our director, flying in from Japan.

Before the trip, through three online sessions in Zoom led by Fernando, we'll equip participants with essential materials and knowledge before our in-person gathering in Mexico.

Our itinerary includes visits to iconic architectural sites, evenings of music, culinary explorations, museums, studio visits with local artists, and a scenic overnight excursion to Valle de Bravo to reconnect with nature before concluding our workshop.

Notes

• As Fernando Cordero is exclusively an analog photographer, this program is aimed at photographers who are comfortable working with analog equipment. We recommend using only lightweight 35mm or 120 film cameras. An inexpensive toy camera such as a Holga or a Diana will do just fine. You’ll also have the option to purchase a second-hand analog camera in Mexico City before the workshop's start.

group size

Limited to 8 participants

ONLINE SESSIONS SYLLABUS

• SESSION 1

  • Introductions. Meet Fernando and your fellow travelers

  • Brief lecture on architectural photography

• SESSION 2

  • “The search for the unicorn in the apprehension of images”

  • Who is Carlos Jurado?

  • Adapting the Search of the Unicorn to Fernando’s photographic language

• SESSION 3

  • Identification of the architect's emotion in the constructed sites and spaces

  • How these spaces move us as photographers

  • In what way do we interpret our emotions in the spaces

trip ITINERARY

• 7 nights in Mexico City

• 1 night retreat in Valle de Bravo

• 1 night in Mexico City

  *Dates are subject to slight changes so please plan accordingly.

INCLUDED

• 3 online classes before the trip

• 9 nights of hotel accommodations

• 9 breakfasts

• 7 lunches

• 7 dinners

• All domestic transportation by Mini Van

• Roundtrip to Valle de Bravo

• All admissions and location fees

• Instruction and guidance from Fernando, George Nobechi, and the team

• Detailed information package and full itinerary in detail

• Bilingual support during the trip

NOT INCLUDED

• International airfare

• Extra hotel nights on the front and back end

• Meals not marked in the itinerary

• Alcohol (with the exception of that provided during the welcome and farewell dinners)

• Travel Insurance

• Incidentals

WORKSHOP TUITION

Double occupancy: $6,695 (per person)

Single occupancy: $7,995

Secure your place with a refundable $1,500 deposit

meet your teacher

 In his work, only natural light at very precise times and angles is used; turning objects, spaces and structures into subjects bursting with life. It should be noted that, since the beginning of his photographic practice, the type of technology he uses has been exclusively analog. Fernando Cordero is an adamant defender of the preservation of traditional photographic techniques as they favor discipline, creativity and self discovery in those who practice photography. His work has been exhibited and published both nationally and internationally and is currently the research subject of high-level academics, such as Dr. Peter Krieger, investigator at the Institute of Aesthetic Research at UNAM, and Dr. Xavier Guzmán Urbiola, honorary member of the Academy National Architecture.