Beatriz Chachamovits
Into the Great Dying: Roles We Play
2023
A site specific interactive installation that invites the public to actively rebuild the coral reef. Five different ceramic bases filled with holes sits on plinths of various height, so that visitors of all ages can interact with the work. Around the plinths, there are three tables containing a variety of ceramic coral species, each one is attached to a ceramic pole that fits into the holes on the base. Visitors will be encouraged to handle the ceramic corals and insert them on the holes until the reef is rebuilt. Once it is completed, all the ceramic corals return to the tables, giving the opportunity for new visitors to play, creating an entirely new composition. The idea of the piece is to talk about our role in reversing the damage we cause to the ocean and understanding that time, patience and community is needed to figure out the best way to move forward. On view until the end of November at MoCA NOMI.
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Text by Adeze Wilford, curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art of North Miami
Into the Great Dying: The Roles We Play by environmental artist Beatriz Chachamovits is the final installation in a three-part series that invites viewers to engage with an interactive coral reef. With much discussion centered on how human beings have contributed to damaging the fragile ecosystems, this installation instead encourages audiences to participate in rebuilding a reef. The tactile experience of holding replicas of at-risk local coral species aims to create a grounding experience for visitors, encouraging them to take a mindful approach to the rapidly shifting climate.
The artist, focusing on coral native to the area, has hand-casted hundreds of pieces that when assembled by visitors shapes a representation of the South Florida reef system. The five species selected by the artist - Staghorn, Elkhorn Brain, Pillar and Sea Fan coral – range in shape and size, reflecting the local biodiversity. Each one is common to the area and is either at risk of extinction or used for restoration endeavors such as coral nurseries.
Over several years, Chachamovits has blended her practice in ceramics and drawing with teaching, bridging a gap between visual art and science. Paired with video content featuring Miami-based marine scientists and ecological teaching-activists, this interactive installation encourages new ways of confronting the climate crisis. After decades of ominous warnings and heightened fear about the state of the planet, this body of work offers a different perspective: what can we build together?
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The following videos are from my collaborators: Rescue a Reef and BlueScholars initiative that plays an active role in protecting our surrounding water ecologies. It is my utmost pleasure to present their work and open a portal for everyone to get involved with them!