6: In/Between the City

Thoughts from My Studio

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to share one of my pieces “Courts II” with new and old friends who came out to Red Hook for the exhibition opening of Fearless Watercolors at BWAC. 

It was a wonderful way to share my thinking and process IRL with other people. As I was talking about the piece, I found myself returning to themes I have been researching for over 15 years. I thought I would take the opportunity here to share a bit about that research and how it continues to inform my paintings and my architecture.

While in graduate school I began a research project that led me to Lisbon, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília, all current and former capital cities in the Portuguese speaking world, to research the development of public space in those cities from the fifteenth century through to today. This culminated in a book I produced as part of my thesis, 16 Squares. 

I became interested in the interstices of the city, the space between buildings (in 2010 I started a blog (!) called In/Between the City which is shockingly still live?!). 

A part of my research was focused on the study of ancient Greek and Roman cities and how these early models translate to the formation of cities today. The Greek city (polis) is composed of unique object-like buildings, figures, between which exists the interstitial space of the city that flows freely and undefined between an archipelago of urban artifacts. 

The Roman City (urbs), by contrast, begins with a tabula rasa and is defined by public space as occupied by infrastructure. In this case public space becomes the figure; it defines the shape of the city. The public sphere is about flow and connectivity. The city operates like a scaffolding, an infrastructural armature, for the growth of private life. Most cities today follow the Roman model of the urbs. 

In my paintings and architecture, I am testing this question of figure vs. ground: public space as figure and the built environment as ground. How does form define space? 

And now, on to the paintings:

“Courts II” on view at BWAC

Bringing Hélio to see the show was the best!!! He brought his friend over to see the painting and said to her, “My mommy made that,” and my heart just melted…

Excited to share one of my latest pieces, part of a larger series still seeking a title. These paintings explore verticality, evoking a sense of both falling and grounding. The forms stretch endlessly upward, as if the ground disappears, yet remain anchored in their presence. Autumnal hues shape this series—warm and elusive. I look forward to sharing more insights about these works in an upcoming newsletter!

Thinking About… Aldo Rossi

Aldo Rossi was a visionary architect and theorist whose work explored the profound relationship between architecture and the city. Central to his approach was the idea of the city as a repository of collective memory, where architecture serves as both a marker of history and a framework for urban life. Rossi's designs were deeply influenced by Platonic forms—simple, idealized geometric objects—which he used to create buildings that felt timeless and monumental.

His architecture often featured high contrast, solid masses with bold, unadorned forms that blurred the boundaries between scale and proportion, lending his work a dreamlike, abstract quality. By combining these elements, Rossi transformed architecture into a powerful medium for understanding the city as a unified, enduring artifact.

A collection of Aldo Rossi’s works, on the cover of Aldo Rossi - a Cura Di Gianni Braghieri

Monumento della Resistenza, Cuneo, competition entry, 1962

Reconstruction of the Teatro Paganini, Parma, competition entry, 1964

Cemetery of San Cataldo, Modena, 1971

On My Table

I recently discovered some amazing Japanese tapes that I picked up at my local art supply store. They are semi-translucent and create these beautiful effects when layered over each other. I enjoy seeing the shapes formed by the tape by itself, before the washes of color…

Please excuse the terrible photographs! It’s a result of almost exclusively working at night — post-bedtime.

This is the next step with the tape in the first photograph removed. Perhaps one day I’ll figure out how to take a video of me removing the tape, which is the most satisfying sensation!

This is the final call if you would like to receive one of my holiday cards in the mail! The card this year will feature my latest work — you will find it is something a little different for me — and will be printed on high quality paper. I would love for you to have one ❤️ Please share your name & mailing address at the survey link below so I know how to reach you:

Thank you so much for your interest in my creative practice.

Please do reach out if you would like any more information about my work and exhibitions.

Have a wonderful week ahead.

Until next time,

xx

Letícia