Babble, et al...
This exhibition showcases wood and paper-based artworks, most of which feature Dade County Pine (pinus elliottii var. densa) lumber. This legendary native tree was a key construction material in Miami’s industrial boom of the early 20th century, when it was harvested to near extinction. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a monumental sculpture entitled Babble. In part a reference to the story of the Tower of Babel, this structure is comprised of salvaged old growth lumber and obsolete periodical cards from the library’s own past catalog. It reflects, among other things, our pursuit of knowledge, as well as ideas of entropy, love, the search for meaning, and transcendence. In juxtaposition to the salvaged material, other artworks on display result from working directly in the existing pine forests of Everglades National Park, particularly within areas recently subjected to prescribed burns. Also on view are ‘paper pavement’ prints made from crumbling street surfaces in historically and culturally relevant areas of Miami. The cracks and worn urban underfoot characterize an area and its history in a way mostly ignored, yet attain a special presence when transformed into paper impressions. Together these artworks document and contextualize a world undergoing constant transformation.