An interactive mural, part of Miami Art Week, challenges viewers to preserve the city’s cultural essence or watch it fade
Will you be a force for preservation or erasure?
This December, DORCAM (the Doral Contemporary Art Museum) and Boa Mistura, the internationally recognized artist collective, challenge Miami to RE-ACT.
The bold large-scale mirrored exhibition, part of Miami Art Week 2024, promises to transform the Laundromat Art Space in Little Haiti (185 NE 59th Street, Miami) into an ephemeral canvas, inviting the community to reflect on the impermanence of public art and the critical role individuals play in preserving cultural expressions and shaping the city’s cultural identity.
“This project makes you think about what effects our own individual actions have on public space,” says Pablo, a member of Boa Mistura.
“Our work is ephemeral by nature because it’s in the public space. It’ll eventually be removed completely and replaced. This is the harsh reality we face all the time.”
Boa Mistura, known for their transformative large-scale murals, will paint a vibrant mural on Laundromat's exterior wall - only for it to face inevitable erasure during a three-hour performance on December 7, 12:00-5:00 PM.
The fate of the work in the public space is left in the hands of individual collectors.
Every six minutes, a portion of the mural will be systematically erased - viewers can “save” sections of the mural by purchasing framed pieces (15.7 x 16.5 inches). This captivating performance culminates in a fragmented mural, reflecting the relationship between the collective choices and individual actions.
Set against the backdrop of Miami’s rapid urban development, Boa Mistura’s work resonates deeply in a community grappling with the loss of cherished cultural landmarks. The project invites the community to react to the forces shaping their urban landscape and the role they play in preserving the elements that make Miami distinct.
Founded in Madrid in 2001, Boa Mistura is a collective of artists who view their work as a catalyst for transforming public spaces. Their projects aim to reshape how people experience and connect with shared environments and one another.
Boa Mistura draws inspiration from the multifaceted meanings of public spaces, using a visual language rich in color, geometry, and words to communicate with viewers.
“This is more than just an artistic collaboration; it’s an opportunity to infuse the colors of these incredible artists' works into our dynamic community,” adds DORCAM Director Marcelo Llobell. “Rooted in the heritage of Miami-Dade County, we look forward to celebrating the talent, creativity, and passion of these visionary artists.”
Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Government of Spain, the mural’s live destruction will be streamed on YouTube (19:00 - 22:00 CET), inviting a global audience to witness and engage with the thought-provoking performance.
Will you preserve the city’s cultural essence or watch it fade?
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