Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Moreno.
Hi Erika, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi, thanks for the opportunity of sharing my story. First of all, I studied Architecture in Tijuana, Mexico and I concluded my degree two years ago. In those moments, too many questions about my future came to my mind. I was afraid to think that I could spend the rest of my life doing the same thing. After that crisis, this project was born. My first illustration was a masterpiece of the architect Luis Barragan, Casa Pedregal. I remember perfectly that moment. I used Photoshop to do my illustration, and the idea was only to know my progress with the program. Two weeks later, I worked with three more illustrations, and I thought that sharing them was not a bad idea, so I created an Instagram account. In the beginning, it didn’t even have a name; it was only my architecture account. With the support of my friends and family, I decided to keep creating. After a while, some architects I admire followed me, even once a Mexican singer shared an illustration I made about him and his wife. That’s how Huajje was born little by little. Nowadays, I can say that Huajje is an experimental project that, through the collage and the digital illustration seeks, to reflect other alternatives of expression. This project was officially born in May 2019, and its name refers to Oaxaca, Mexico, the place where I am from.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It absolutely has not been an easy road! The biggest challenge was believing in myself. For a long time, I was my own enemy. I thought I wasn’t doing “enough” or that my project couldn’t have the same impact as other architectural representations. Also, since I started Huajje, I’ve worked at the same time in some architecture firms. On many occasions, it was exhausting; work 10 or 15 hours per day was way too much. But when you have a goal in mind, it’s easier to find the way to achieve it, and anything you do gets you one step closer.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Well, like I said before, in Huajje, we create collages and digital illustrations, which are not something new. Actually, back in the 60s they were part of the main architectural representation used by groups like Archigram; but they began to lose strength after new technologies and the hyperrealistic rendering appeared. I think these “old ways” of representation are worth studying, so I use them as the base of my project. That’s why I’m not worried about standing out or being a pioneer in this field. I prefer to focus my energy on doing what I love.
In the end, we all have a unique way of representing the world around us, which is built from our personal experiences and memories. Each illustration I create is, in some way, representing my own fears and dreams. In February 2020, I decided to start sharing my work through workshops. I organized the first one totally by myself; it was a great challenge, and being
able to materialize it gave me more confidence. The second was held in a design studio and store located in the city of Tijuana called Matiz. I will always be grateful for the opportunity they gave me. After all, it was a watershed in my project because it allowed me to share my ideas with more people. Due to the current worldwide health crisis, I couldn’t continue with these face-to-face workshops, so I immigrated to an online format. Somehow I managed to complete three more events of this type during the year. I feel very lucky to be able to connect with extraordinary people from around the world. I think that at this point, I am more aware that I don’t only illustrate, I also have the possibility to share my own architectural representation with younger generations. It is very satisfying to contribute with my style and give others opportunities to have more professional fields. One of my biggest and most recent achievements was a collaboration I made with Landa Suberville, an architecture firm located in Monterrey, Mexico. I worked on the design of Comic No. 15, “The Houses are Part of the Landscape.”
Any big plans?
For now, I’m interested in generating collaborations with different architects and artists. I want to combine illustration with other areas and create new ways of experiencing architecture. Also, for January 2021, I will continue giving workshops and I will be part of a design festival that will take place in Tijuana. With Huajje, I also have an event called +COMUNIDAD that consists of small free live sessions once a month, where I share tips and experiences of my work with students. I want Huajje to be a Mexican project that inspires worldwide.
Contact Info:
- Email: estudiohuajje@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huajje.mx/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com.mx/estudiohuajje/_created/
Image Credits
Erika Moreno – Huajje
