The solar minimum has arrived.  Sunspots have all but vanished.  Solar flares are nonexistent.  The sun is utterly quiet, like the quiet before storm.  The next solar max is expected in 2010...

Solar cycles have been tracked since 1755.  The ancient Mesoamerican cultures that worshiped the sun predict a great change to humanity to come in the year 2012.  The next sunspot cycle is expected to be the most intense in fifty years.

Could the coming solar storm mean the end of the world is near?  We can't really be sure, but after carefully consulting the latest forecast from the Mayan calendar, tamir decides that the right energy moment has arrived to bring the mariposaHD team (and the world of internet HD video) to his homeland of Mexico.  There, we meet tamir's younger brother uriel, who is a popular male model and host on Mexican television, and the perfect guide for our visit to the land of the Aztecs.

After filming 3 episodes in Argentina and 3 episodes in Uruguay, tamir, mike, jeff, and dominic grab the HD cameras, the medallion of lucky, and plenty of blank tapes and head north to bring you this new mariposaHD adventure in Mexico!

infolinks:  canon  zicatela

We join uriel and his model friends roman and amanda for a drive through the pueblos of Oaxaca to Zicatela, one of the top surfing beaches in the world.  We find the beach to be invaded by Brazilian surfers who, as luck would have it, brought some mariposa girls along with them.  As the boys step into the surf we pass the medallion of lucky to this episode's new mariposa girl from Brazil, melissa.  In the quiet before the coming solar storm, enjoy the sunshine, fresh air, and great views from the beach in high definition clarity here on mariposaHD.

mariposa music:

"More Love "
by tammy
from the album: living room
Courtesy of solimano/Unlock Recordings
http://www.unlock-recordings.com

"Losing You"
by lalann
Courtesy of PMB
http://www.pmbmusic.com

and by cristian

infolinks:  tafi  teotihuacan

Teotihuacán, named 'the city of gods' by the Aztecs, is a 40 minute drive from modern Mexico City.  This ancient abandoned city contains the pyramid of the sun, one of the largest in the world.  The place has special energy and the best way to capture it in HD video is with majo, a new mariposa girl who helps make our history lesson even more interesting.  Recharge your energies with us in this mystical place in full 1080p resolution.

mariposa music:

by cristian

infolinks:  uriel

As the sun sets and night comes, we return to Mexico City where uriel has invited us to join him for an important fashion show.  With some help from the medallion of lucky, we head backstage to find plenty of interesting new mariposa girls from all over the world.  We hope you enjoy it.

mariposa music:

by cristian

It was felix carvalho, a young man wise beyond his years, who once remarked, "we got everything".  Indeed, in this episode we truly have got it all: beautiful models, glamorous fashion shows, an exclusive polo match, and the biggest DJ in the world -- all in perfect High Definition clarity.

In this final chapter of our three videos from Punta del Este, Uruguay we spend some time with dolores behind the red velvet rope outside a trendy beach nightclub.  There, we learn something about our visit to Punta: some people have "got it", and some people have "got everything!".

infolinks:  canon  polo

The first day of shooting for this episode presented a bit of a dilemma for the mariposaHD team.  We were invited to film a polo match at the exclusive Punta del Este Polo Club, which is hidden in the woods near La Barra.  Polo is big stuff in these parts of South America and we were looking forward to capturing a taste of "the sport of kings" in HD.  However, down at the beach there was polo-themed fashion show featuring some of our favorite mariposa girls scheduled at nearly the same time.  We decided to split up.  mike and dominic took the Canon 20D and Sony FX1 up to the woods to film the polo match while jeff and tamir took the Canon 10D and Sony Z1U down to the beach to capture the fashion show.  On this slightly overcast day in Uruguay, no one in Punta managed to see both the polo match and the fashion show.  But now in HDTV, you do.  Which would you rather see?

mariposa music:

"Mi Reflexión"
by Index
Courtesy of solimano/Unlock Recordings
http://www.unlock-recordings.com

infolinks:  antonela

antonela is a beautiful young model from Argentina.  We have seen glimpses of her in episode 01.04 and episode 01.05.  Now, with the help of some perfect afternoon sunlight, we finally get a few moments alone with antonela in front of the mariposaHD cameras.

mariposa music:

"Poorsite"
by solimano
from the album: dip
Courtesy of solimano/Unlock Recordings
http://www.unlock-recordings.com

infolinks:  mantra

We follow the action to Mantra, an exclusive resort/spa/casino tucked in the woods near La Barra, for a fashion show featuring Argentine supermodel Ingrid Grudke.  In the casino lobby we meet up with more of our favorite mariposa girls and then the cameras start snapping as the girls show off their hot new looks.

mariposa music:

"Caviar"
by Gurtz
from the album: living room
Courtesy of solimano/Unlock Recordings
http://www.unlock-recordings.com

infolinks:  tiesto

There is no DJ in the world bigger than tiësto.  He won 'No. 1 DJ in the World' three consecutive times and performed at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics.  But he isn't too big for a visit to Uruguay.  After a long day of filming, the mariposaHD team puts in a late, late night to capture the locals getting down to the big sounds.

mariposa music:

"Love Comes Again (featuring BT)"
by tiësto
from the album: Just Be
Courtesy of Tiësto
http://www.tiesto.com

It was benito juarez, a Zapotec Amerindian and Mexico's first and only Native American president, who famously said, "Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace."

It is the morning after the night before.  For anyone who has been to Cancun, Mexico (where Americans go to get drunk and rowdy) it may be ironic to see that it is Mexicans who get drunk and rowdy in Uruguay.  The mariposaHD team is up yet again at the crack of dawn to document a day at the beach in Punta del Este.  And what did we learn in our day at the beach?  That how we choose to behave is more important than what we choose to drink or smoke.

infolinks:  chivito  canon

Bikini Beach, near Punta del Este, is THE place to show off your hot South American look.  The mariposaHD team is there, with the HD camcorder, the high-resolution camera, and the telephoto zoom lens to show you what it is all about.  We meet up with some of the locals, some of the visitors, and catch an impromptu model casting.

mariposa music:

"Breeze"
by lalann
from the album:
File It Under: Deep House
Courtesy of PMB
http://www.pmbmusic.com

and by cristian

infolinks:  tammy

There are lots of hot girls on Bikini Beach but only one of them gets to be our new mariposa girl.  tammy is a beautiful young model from Argentina who spends the summer working on the beach in Uruguay.  She doesn't smoke, is in great shape, has all her original body parts, has a fantastic smile, and, most importantly, she has the right attitude.  It's not easy to look perfect in front of an HD camera.  tammy does and she's our newest mariposa girl.

mariposa music:

"Blue Coast"
by lalann
from the album:
File It Under: Deep House
Courtesy of PMB
http://www.pmbmusic.com

infolinks:  dotto

Dotto Models has been one of South America's top modeling agencies for more than 20 years.  After operating many years near the exclusive beach town of José Ignacio, Pancho Dotto has brought out some of his famous ladies for a walk down the runway for some of the locals.

mariposa music:

"Let Me In"
by Dry & Wet
"Automatic Jazz"
by Index
Courtesy of solimano/Unlock Recordings
http://www.unlock-recordings.com

infolinks:  bussola

When javier bussola is spinning, you know it's going to be a late night.  Or an early morning.  Since starting as a DJ back in 1987, Bussola has played in every major club and festival around Argentina.  tamir catches up with Sñr. Bussola in his car before going on to play an outdoor set at an electronic music festival near Punta and we find out how he gets warmed up before a big show.

mariposa music:

"Magic Leaf"
by Javier Bussola
Courtesy of Javier Bussola
http://www.javierbussola.com

A very talented fella called 'jimi' once said, "i see that we meet again".  After going our separate ways, 'we meet again' to embark on the second half of season 01 of mariposaHD.  For this part of the season we depart Argentina and head across the Rio de la Plata to Uruguay.

New Years Day is the start of summertime in South America.  Punta del Este is the resort town on Uruguay's Atlantic coast where the rich, famous, and beautiful of South America bring in the New Year.  And that is where the mariposaHD team 'meet again' to bring you all the action.

infolinks:  sony  barbara

In our last episode, ten aspiring young models answered our casting call when we asked, "who should be the next mariposa girl?".  While all of our prospective mariposa girls were beautiful, it was barbara's winning attitude that won us over.

When the sun goes down in Punta del Este, the beautiful people all head to José Ignacio to watch the sunset.  On New Year's Day, over a few drinks at a beachfront bar, we spotted barbara and a perfect sunset.  We knew it was time to whip out the medallion of lucky and the Canon 20D for a few minutes of photo shooting with our newest mariposa girl.

mariposa music:

"Skin of my skin"
by solimano
Courtesy of Unlock Recordings
http://www.unlock-recordings.com

infolinks:  rocio

rocio is a very popular young model from Argentina whose photos are seen in magazines all across the world.  She was recently honored with the title of "Best Ass in Latin America" on the cover of a major celebrity/paparazzi magazine.

While the team is out scouting talent on Montoya Beach, rocio shows us that she is more than just a pretty face by braving the fierce Uruguayan surf.  We agree that she is 'a disaster in the water' but we still enjoy the great view.

mariposa music:

"Breeze"
by lalann
from the album:
File It Under: Deep House
Courtesy of PMB
http://www.pmbmusic.com

infolinks:  punta  maté

After a few days on the beaches of La Barra, we take a trip into the city of Punta del Este.  There is one thing that every new visitor to Uruguay notices: maté, maté, maté everywhere!

Maté is an herbal drink, made from hot water and yerba, that is sipped from a calabash gourd with a bombilla.  It can have a bitter taste so sometimes some sugar and lemon are added.  It is enjoyed in a similar way to coffee or tea in other parts of the world.  While maté is also popular in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, it is the Uruguayans who bring the cultural institution of maté to a whole different level.

mariposa music:

"Air"
by solimano
from the album:
Dip
Courtesy of Unlock Recordings
http://www.unlock-recordings.com

infolinks:  tendencia

mariposa music:

"10 Jay Street (610 Dub) "
by Downtown Brooklyn Inc.
from the album:
Chillhouse Mix 4
Courtesy of Ibadan Records
http://www.ibadanrecords.com

infolinks:  solimano

Punta del Este is sometimes known as the Ibiza of South America.  When the sun goes down, the crowd hits the clubs and the electronic music festivals to see the world's biggest DJs spinning.

solimano is an electronic music institution in Argentina.  He has been a resident DJ in many of the biggest clubs in Buenos Aires and Punta del Este.  Tonight, in a pasture near a beach in Punta, the mariposaHD cameras are there to see how he does it.

mariposa music:

"Uno"
by solimano
Courtesy of Unlock Recordings
http://www.unlock-recordings.com

A wise old fella called 'aristotle' once said, "without friendship, man cannot be happy."  In this episode, four men from different places come together to find that through friendship, man can be happy.

We begin with a snapshot in the life of the mariposaHD team: ten beautiful young models show up on our doorstep.  After a busy day of photo shooting, the team is off exploring jungles, crossing rivers, and climbing mountains - all in the name of a decent bite to eat.  The beauty, style, and adventure culminate with more of the breathtaking views that South America is known for.

infolinks: redbull  casting

Buenos Aires is the Hollywood of Latin America.  Just like the real Hollywood, the city is full of aspiring young talent looking for that big break into a career in show business.  When word gets out that a few foreigners are in town filming a new HDTV project, it doesn't take long for the beauties to start ringing our doorbell.  'segment 1: casting' is a brief snapshot of a day in our life.  Follow the mariposaHD team and ten beautiful new models as we try to determine: who will be the next mariposa girl?

mariposa music:

"Subtle"
by lalann
from the album:
File It Under: Deep House
Courtesy of PMB
http://www.pmbmusic.com

infolinks: piqueteros  sugarcane  malamala  campodeltoral

In Spanish it means "bad bad".  Mala mala is a mountain peak, high in the altiplano near Tafí del Valle, Tucuman.  When our route thru the rainforest lowlands is blocked by piqueteros, the team 4-wheels it thru sugarcane plantations and across swollen rivers.  With condors over head and breathtaking views all around, the team overcomes the "bad bad" to finally enjoy a traditional Argentine asado.

mariposa music:

by cristian

infolinks: koxis

Back in fashionable Buenos Aires, we are invited to the launch of a new line of hot new looks from local designer Koxis.  mariposa girls are everywhere as our high definition cameras zoom in on the new designs that will be gracing the beaches and catwalks of South America.

mariposa music:

by cristian

Some old fella called 'einstein' once said, "time is an illusion."  In this episode, time and space seem to bend before our eyes as the mariposaHD team warps from a sexy photo shoot in trendy Palermo, to the rugged deserts of Tucuman, to the frozen peaks of The Andes, and back to where we began (both in time and in space) for coverage of the steaming Buenos Aires Fashion Week.

infolinks:  canon  redbull  karo

Karo is in town!  Karo is a beautiful young model from Rosario, which is about a three hour drive up the Rio de la Plata from Buenos Aires (and supposedly home to the most lovely girls in Argentina). We choose the artsy/fashionable Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires for a photoshooting.  Graffiti covered walls, tree lined streets, and a hip clothing boutique set the urban backdrop for Karo's shoot.  The porteños seem to approve of our work. 

mariposa music:

by cristian

infolinks:  campodeltoral  cactus

The crew stumbles upon a microclimate while exploring the rugged landscape of Tucuman, Argentina.  The leafy trees sharing space with thorny cacti is reason enough to snap a few photos.  Tamir and Mike give some insight on the evolution of the 'cardone' cactus while Jeff and Dominic attempt to crack the case of the wild 'vanilla'.

mariposa music:

by cristian

infolinks:  lahoya

The Argentine Andes are a popular destination for winter (May-July in South America) travelers.  Tamir visits the mountains of La Hoya for a Mexican skiing (falling) lesson.  Fortunately the views are better then his skiing.

mariposa music:

by cristian

infolinks:  fashionbuenosaires

mariposa music:

"Now"
by lalann
from the album:
How Deep Is Your House?
Courtesy of PMB
http://www.pmbmusic.com

and by cristian

"mariposa" means butterfly in Spanish.

The concept of our show is 'abstract television'.

We had this idea ... we wanted it to be really abstract ... and we wanted it to be about beauty.

infolinks:  ipod

We wander down to the Buenos Aires Botanical Garden to welcome viewers to the future of television. After some video highlights of our first 6 months of filming with the new Sony HDV cameras, we discuss some of the ideas that went into the making of mariposaHD and some of the technologies that made it possible.

mariposa music:

"How Deep Is Your House? "
by lalann
from the album:
How Deep Is Your House?
Courtesy of PMB
http://www.pmbmusic.com

infolinks:  canon  agustina  eva

We meet our first mariposa girls, eva and agustina, in Tigre, about 30 minutes north of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The girls show off several bikinis from a local BA fashion designer. The sun is not very cooperative but we still have lots of fun. As the girls change bikinis, Dominic prepares a shankee asado to give us energy for the second photoshoot of the day.

mariposa music:

"Bullitnuts version 2"
"Uptight version"
by tosca
from the album:
The Chocolate Elvis Dubs
Courtesy of G-Stoned Recordings
http://www.g-stoned.com

and by cristian

infolinks:  merrell  spider  quilmes

Escaping hectic Buenos Aires, we make a long 14 hour journey to Amaicha del Valle in the northwestern Argentine province of Tucuman. We explore the Quilmes Ruins, which were once home to a successful tribe that was conquered by the Spanish in 1667. Exploring the not-so-ancient ruins we come across llamas, wasps, spiders, cardones, and some incredible landscapes. We even learn a little history.

mariposa music:

"Every day & Every night"
by tosca
from the album:
Dehli9
Courtesy of G-Stoned Recordings
http://www.g-stoned.com

"Busenfreund (Walkner Moestle Dub)"
by tosca
from the album:
Suzuki in Dub
Courtesy of G-Stoned Recordings
http://www.g-stoned.com

"Fuck Dub (Pulsinger Tunakan Mix)"
by tosca
from the album:
Fuck Dub
Courtesy of G-Stoned Recordings
http://www.g-stoned.com

and by cristian

infolinks:  rickysarkany

mariposa music:

"Hear my name"
by Armand Van Helden
from the album:
New York: A Mix Odyssey
Courtesy of Southern Fried Records
http://www.southernfriedrecords.com

and by cristian