oCTOBER 20 2024 - mIAMI
using what gets left behind ...
I’m currently working as an artist apprentice for two different artists in Miami. I’m learning that being an artist and working for them is a kind of rite of passage—a struggle that involves working with fabricators who can assist in producing your works. When you step into these spaces, you encounter a group of odd characters who would never come together to create something on their own, but for the sake of payment, they do. The pay is often under the table. But honestly, whICH ARTIST cares about taxes? Just kidding... kinda.
While helping my boss move one of his sculptures into an art gallery in Little Haiti (an up-and-coming gentrification hotspot, known for being the first case of climate gentrification where real estate is valued by elevation—the higher it is from the ocean, the more expensive), I saw what was once a series of three or four multi-family houses turned into a beautiful art gallery with lovely courtyards. One of the coolest things about it was that you could still see the original concrete columns and beams, now framing a contemporary art gallery. It makes me wish that instead of tearing down all these architectural details, we could use them to frame the new spaces we activate with them.
Miami is undergoing updates at every corner, and with this rapid development, entire neighborhoods are losing their identities in the name of modernity. It feels as though Le Corbusier is dancing in his grave. What we’re witnessing isn’t just progress; it’s the erasure of the past in exchange for glass towers and branded residences.
I want to share some images I've taken on the streets to illustrate just how drastic these changes are. These visuals will highlight the stark contrast between what once was and what is emerging in our urban landscape. However, it's not all negative—there are some exciting instances where older homes are being retrofitted in innovative ways that respect their history while introducing fresh elements. These creative adaptations are like breaths of fresh air amidst the chaos of development, showing that it is possible to honor the past while embracing the future.
I'm bringing this up because I’m frustrated with the prevailing narrative on platforms like Next Miami, where we often see only proposals for luxury branded residences, accessible only to international billionaires. Where are the developments that cater to the people who actually live here? It feels as though we are losing our sense of place and community for the sake of profit.
Through this entry, I hope to shed light on both the challenges and the possibilities within Miami's evolving landscape. By showcasing the drastic changes alongside the inspiring retrofits, I aim to advocate for a more inclusive approach to development—one that values the unique character of our neighborhoods and the voices of those who call them home.
interior of nina johnson gallery
NINA JOHNSON GALLERY
courtyard of nina johnson galery with art
A wide pathway connects the city sidewalk to a triangular sculpture court - both open to the sky
The rear yard is thus transformed into a stage before the covered terrace
View from terrace
It seems that the only people who really care about preservation of these types of spaces is art galleries. I HAVE FOUND A COUPLE OF PRECEDENTS THAT YOU SHOULD GO VISIT IN CASE YOU'RE INTERESTED IN GOING TO SEE THEM FOR YOURSELF.