LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — For the past five summers UA professor Russell Rudzinski has introduced architecture students to the visual riches of Mexico. He will discuss the School of Architecture’s Mexico Summer Urban Studio in a slide lecture titled "(IN)visible Mexico." Scheduled to take place at 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Arkansas Arts Center lecture hall, Rudzinski’s talk is part of an ongoing lecture series in Little Rock co-sponsored by the UA School of Architecture, the Arkansas Arts Center and the central Arkansas section of the American Institute of Architects. A 6 p.m. reception will precede the lecture.

"My lecture will focus on seeing a place in a slow, deep way," Rudzinski said. "Our students see Mexico through drawing," he added, noting that each student produces more than 100 sketches in watercolor, charcoal, conte crayon, graphite and ink.

Sometimes what is not seen is most instructive.

. Assistant Professor of Architecture Russell Rudzinski (bottom right, in blue shirt) critiques student work.

"Why are there no right angles in Palenque?" he asked, recalling a sketching exercise when students kept straightening out the kinks in their plans and elevations. "We learned that these irregularities were not mistakes, but related to ancient celestial events. It’s not that the Mayans weren’t rational; the site reflects their world view," Rudzinski said.

Expanding students’ perspective is a critical part of the Mexico program, which was established by the School of Architecture in 1994. For 10 weeks students are immersed in the culture, living with Mexican families, learning from Mexican architects, and working in the studio of Pritzker-prize-winning architect Luis Barragán. Their experience is enriched by tours that extend from the jungle-shrouded Mayan ruins of Chiapas to the refined splendor of colonial silver mining towns. The days are long and sometimes difficult, but Rudzinski finds the work rewarding.

School of Architecture students visit the Mayan ruins at Palenque, summer 2005.

"Our students are used to compartmentalizing education and life, but in Mexico we try to make the two simultaneous. Every minute is an opportunity to learn something new."

In addition to directing the Mexico Summer Urban Studio, Russell Rudzinski teaches, writes and practices architecture. His research interests focus on design work that is "out of context," ranging from Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen’s work in the United States to Rudzinski’s design for his own home, which he says "could be seen as a foreign intervention in a suburban cul-de-sac." Rudzinski earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Syracuse University and his Master of Architecture degree from Washington University. He taught at Kansas State University before coming to the University of Arkansas in 2000.

The lecture is free and open to the public. Continuing Education Units will be awarded to design professionals.