Reference Library 002
The things that inform the world of apartamento 710, fall edition
Welcome to another issue of apartamento 710, a newsletter about living a creative life outside of the walls of the Internet. If you are new here, I invite you to explore my interview series, Sobremesa, or one of my favorite pieces, My Rules for Making.
Dear reader,
This year, I’ve been looking at ways of extending the world of apartamento 710 from being mainly an online endeavor to a more tangible, real-life pursuit. This goal has taken different shapes. I have mailed more than 40 letters to readers in different parts of the world, from Indonesia and Australia to Brazil and Lebanon. I’ve printed posters that I take with me everywhere I go. A few readers have found me through these at different coffee shops, and it is always exhilarating when I get a note from them letting me know they found me through a poster. Let’s not forget the importance of giving our work a place to live outside of the Internet.
As I look at ways for my work to occupy a space in the real world, I’ve been thinking about how much courage and vulnerability it takes to put yourself out there. We all want to be seen, but not all of us are ready for the exposure once more people start paying attention. I am still navigating this resistance in my own work and trying not to let it stop me.
After months of looking at my sketchbooks, I dragged myself to a local Risograph studio and printed one of my original illustrations. If you are a print media geek like me, you know that nothing compares to the printing quality of a Riso machine—the intensity of the colors, the softness of the page. I am very proud of how this came out.
For the next two weeks, I will be mailing my new illustration to all readers who upgrade to a paid subscription. If you have considered becoming a paid supporter of my work, this is a great time for you to do so. Thanks for all the love!
Reference Library is an occasional compilation of all the different curiosities that inform the world of apartamento 710. All the books, films, and music that I am loving, the artwork I am paying attention to, and the practices or mediums I’m experimenting with. Sharing it all with you for your leisure.
Come on in, and enjoy your stay!
My favorite films
Early this year, I cancelled my Netflix subscription. I didn’t have a streaming alternative already lined up. Soon enough, I discovered Tubi, a free service, and my favorite, Kanopy, which curates international and independent cinema, as well as a wealth of content from the Criterion Collection. In case you didn’t know, you can access Kanopy for free with a library card.
Below is a list of almost everything I watched since September: Some of my favorite love triangle stories, my top Tarantino film, and the first David Lynch movie I’ve ever seen, Mulholland Drive. Lots of spicy French cinema, because I’m trying to learning French, and of course, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, which I saw on the big screen at VIFF. A couple of great documentaries on the list, too. It’s been a remarkable, cinematic year for me. If you are looking for great stories to immerse yourself in this winter, this list is solid.
The Third Lover, 1962
A Married Woman, 1964
Blue Velvet, 1986
Chungking Express, 1994
Y tu mamá también, 2001
Mulholland Drive, 2001
Lost in Translation, 2003
Death Proof, 2007
Coraline, 2009 — First time watching, by the way. So good.
We need to talk about Kevin, 2011
Neruda, 2016
The Florida Project, 2017
The Lighthouse, 2019
Pearl, 2022
Rodeo, 2022
Nosferatu, 2023
Frankenstein, 2025
Documentaries
New ways of experiencing audio
After using Spotify since middle school (wild to type these words lol) I said goodbye to the platform for good. Big year for tech-break ups over here. But what can a girl do if there are almost no decent streaming service providers these days??????
Since then my relationship with music has changed quite a lot. I went from playing something in the background almost every waking minute of my day, to now being more intentional with what I want to listen. On the streaming side, my partner and I kept a Youtube Music account. Sharing it means less convenience, but that would do for now. I’ve also became more curious about old, analog ways of listening to music. We started a vinyl collection that I am excited to expand slowly. I have been playing with the idea of getting an MP3 player.
Going to live shows is another way I decide to support the work of the musicians I love. This year I was lucky to see Nathy Peluso, Wet Leg, The Marias, and the Haim sisters in concert. A great year for women in music. I am definitely not updated in the latest releases as I used to be since I no longer have an algorithm picking music for me. I am enjoying having more agency in finding the things I want to consume.
Subscribing to the mailing list of my favorite artists so I know when they are on tour or releasing new work has been a way to staying on top of things. Friends are always showing me new music that they think I will like too, which is very sweet. In October I visited my friend Andrea for a few days and we went on a roadtrip around Cowichan Valley, where she introduced me to Olivia Dean. I will never forget the first time listening to ‘A couple Minutes’ on the road, as we drove through the most beautiful views of fall.
Youtube shows
This is some of the good stuff I watch regularly on my commute, while cooking dinner or decompressing after a long day of fighting the patriarchy.
Books
My reading year started with great momentum after giving myself the challenge of going through all the books in my shelf in 3 months. Once I finished the challenge my my attention went to other places (films hehe) but I am slowly making my way back to books again. I am currently re-reading Milk Fed by Melissa Broder, and This Is Strategy, by Seth Godin. As you can see I am girl of balance. I am excited to read a shit ton of fiction this winter. And poetry. Do you have any good recommendations? I want something that makes me feeeel things.
Recent essays
Before we go
For my Vancouver based readers: The Cinematheque is doing a screening series of David Lynch’s films, including Wild at Heart, which I have been dreaming of seeing on the big screen. Let me know of you would be interested in meeting up to go and discuss the film afterwards. A lil meet and greet if you will.
Thanks for making it all the way to the end! Let me know in the comments all the things you are experimenting and fun with during hibernation season. 🌀 Love ya!
Get in touch with me at florenciaornelas.f@gmail.com if you’d like to collab or work together : )
More of apartamento 710:
Documenting your dreams can change your life
Today, we are diving into the mysterious world of dreams and how documenting them can make you more creative, curious, and excited about living. To get things started, here is some Reddit wisdom for us:
Love this roundup and these recs! Adding a bunch of these movies to my list (Kanopy is also my favorite)
I love this commitment to offering subscribers something physical, outside of the internet! I hope to do the same when I turn on paid subscriptions!