PPLAZA
December 3-5 1pm- 7pm
OPENING RECEPTION DECEMBER 3rd 6-9pm
2917 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL
Earlier this year, the architect Lebbeus Woods proposed a design for a new public space that would run along the coastline of the Malecón in Havana, Cuba. The coastal residents of Havana are constantly at the whim of fluctuating weather patterns. They are forced to either evacuate, or live in horrible flooding conditions, every time the waves wash over the antiquated and inhospitable road that separates the sea from the city.
In Woods’ proposal, the public space is an aggressively undulating wall that is meant to house cultural and recreational activities. Within the center of the wall resides a hinge feature, which separates the side of the plaza that runs along the coastal road, from the other side that cantilevers out over the sea. When rising waves threaten to wash over the road, this hinged wall is pushed by the force of the water (and like a see-saw), flips vertically to block the water's overflow into the surrounding neighborhoods. Without any outside resources or technology necessary to aid in its function, the plaza self-mechanizes to keep the residents of the Malecón safe.
Woods dared the government of Cuba to build his design. The construction of the plaza wall would symbolize Cuba’s increased openness towards international cooperation, and by doing so, the Cuban government would declare its dedication to its citizens’ freedom.
Artists navigate their lives through innovation and resourcefulness. We must be self-mechanizing, while always embracing the importance of learning from, and working with our fellow artists. Striving for the magical balance between form and concept, we maintain a plaza of continued invention. Through our work we declare our freedom.
Artist Links:
Heidi Hahn therealheidihahn.com
Leah Dixon Leah-Dixon.blogspot.com
Daniel Feinberg and Rhyne Piggott http://www.wix.com/
Nathan Maxwell Cann nathanmaxwellcann.info
Damon Soule damonsoule.com
Winston Chmielinski wi-ch.com
Palma Blank palmabr.com
Joshua Zucker-Pluda joshuazuckerpluda.com
Jorge Antonio Valenzuela jorgeantoniovalenzuela.com
Sara Bright sarabright.net
Tatiana Berg tatianaberg.com
Lenard Smith lenardsmith.com
Lauren Seiden LaurenSeiden.com
Erik Foss erikfoss.org
Carmen Winant carmenwinant.com
Erin Jones http://www.artslant.com/ny/artists/show/186410-erin-lee-jones
Jon Blank jonblankart.com
Curtis Kulig curtiskulig.com
Soner Ön soneron.com
