Raul Cuero: A lesson in Creativity

          Raul Cuero is an inspiration for people everywhere, not only for aspiring scientists and inventors, but for anyone who is determined to overcome difficulties and to thrive in their future.  After watching his interview, I was able to take away many important words of wisdom that I can most definitely apply to my life.  The one that sticks out the most is something that has been talked about for years now, and it is the fact that technology today may be hindering the imaginations of the generations of tomorrow.  Cuero notes that much of his creativity came from living in a dull town in which he was forced to play outdoors for entertainment.  He says that kids today spend too much of their time staring at computer screens where information and images are simply fed to them, not thought up from their own imaginations.  For Cuero, it was his deep connection with nature that also allowed him to be the creative person that he is.  Everyone today can surely learn from what he has to say, considering most people of all ages can often be caught with their faces buried in a screen.  We all need to make time away from technology to explore nature and our own minds in order to let our creativity grow.
            A second very important thing that I took away from Raul Cuero's interview has a little less to do with creativity and more to do with persevering.  Raul describes how, being from Colombia, he often faced prejudice and was looked at and treated differently.  He simply states, "...but I didn't pay attention."  Cuero had his fair share of "haters," but did he let them stop him?  He actually did quite the opposite.  Raul Cuero used the negativity he got from others as motivation to gain more knowledge and be more creative; "using haters as motivators" as we might say today. From watching this interview,  I am able to understand more that sometimes it is not enough to just be smart; to simply know facts.  When you are creative as well, you can apply this creativity to the facts you already know and therefore make something out of the two, such as Cuero did with his inventions.  Not only can we all learn a lesson on working hard in our academic fields,  but Cuero also teaches that imagination and creativity are just as important on the path to success.

A Unique Take on Multimedia

          Before my first day in this class, if I were to be asked what multimedia was defined as, I surely would have kept my answer limited to things such as television, computers, animation, and pretty much anything else involving a screen.  However, with my new understanding that multimedia is actually "a series of time controlling tools working in synergy," I see the world in a completely different light.  When examining Juan Carlos Delgado's work that is considered to be multimedia, I was blown away.  The detailed, bronze bust of the beautiful young girl could be considered a masterpiece all on its own, yet Juan Carlos did not stop there.  By attaching the bust to a refrigerator, in my opinion something only a creative genius could think of, he created multimedia.  Over time, the bust formed more and more frost, and it still fascinates me how all of this was thought up and made possible.  Before long, the once bronze girl turned completely white with snow; the tiny ice crystals looking like tiny works of art all by themselves.  This entire project is clearly multimedia because Juan Carlos Delgado took tools, such as the refrigerator and anything needed to sculpt the bust, and used them together to create a piece that would change over a period of time.  He clearly had a vision and he used multimedia to make it come to life.

First Impressions

Hi Tampa! I'm Elisabeth (Liz) DellaMonica, a Communications major from New York.  In high school I starred in most of the musicals, so I really love to sing and perform.  I've been lucky to live so close to a city that is perfect for this, and most of my money usually ends up in my "Broadway tickets fund." Other than theatre, I also enjoy playing volleyball, guitar, and writing.  Upon entering Professor Echeverry's class, I immediately knew it would be something I would look forward to every Monday and Wednesday.  His energy and passion are like nothing I have ever seen in any teacher I've had, and I know that these traits will be what help me to learn in this class.  There already seems to be a lot of information that we will be covering, but luckily it all seems very fascinating.  I really look forward to getting into the more modern types of art and technology, such as radio and television.  Overall I just hope to soak up all of the information that I can, not only to help with my major, but to also allow me to grow into a more well-rounded student.