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The transformation of Miami during December was not just visual with all the urban artists painting their murals but conceptual thanks to Boa Mistura’s initiative RE-ACT, held from November 29 to December 7, 2024.
RE-ACT, born from a partnership between DORCAM (the Doral Contemporary Art Museum) and the acclaimed artist collective Boa Mistura, invited art enthusiasts and the local community to engage deeply with the temporary yet impactful nature of public art and the transformative qualities defining Miami itself.
RE-ACT: Miami “Ephemeral” by Boa Mistura. Image copyright Boa Mistura
Hosted at the Laundromat Art Space, RE-ACT showcased a large-scale mural painted by Boa Mistura, which powerfully illustrated the impermanence of art in a city where change is the only constant. Throughout the event, participants confronted the question of what aspects of their culture and environment are truly worth preserving amidst rapid urban evolution.
RE-ACT: Miami “Ephemeral” by Boa Mistura. Image copyright Boa Mistura
RE-ACT reached its intentions on December 7, during a captivating live performance where segments of the newly painted mural were systematically erased every six minutes. In a poignant twist, collectors had the opportunity to purchase these sections as framed pieces, a decision that not only posed a challenge to collectors but also echoed the broader theme of how individual actions shape our public environments.
RE-ACT: Miami “Ephemeral” by Boa Mistura. Image copyright Boa Mistura
Throughout the event, Pablo, a member of Boa Mistura, emphasised the tension inherent in their work: the struggle against the transience of art in a city that often prioritises commercial interests over cultural ones. RE-ACT challenged Miamians to consider their role as preservers of a vibrant cultural identity in a landscape that is constantly evolving.
RE-ACT: Miami “Ephemeral” by Boa Mistura. Image copyright Boa Mistura
“This project makes you think about what effects our own individual actions have on the public space,” says Pablo, a member of Boa Mistura. Reflecting on the transient nature of their work, Pablo adds, “Our work is ephemeral by nature because it’s in the public space. They’ll eventually remove it completely and place advertising instead. This is the harsh reality we have to face all the time.”
In the end, 9 of the original 30 panels were painted over white and erased, serving as a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of art and the choices that shaped the mural’s final form. RE-ACT encouraged the Miami community to reflect, engage, and ultimately decide how they would respond to the ephemeral beauty of public art.
RE-ACT: Miami “Ephemeral” by Boa Mistura. Image copyright Boa Mistura
The performance, live-streamed on YouTube for global engagement, culminates in a fragmented mural, reflecting the collective choices made and highlighting the lasting impact of individual action.
Boa Mistura challenged Miami to RE-ACT: Will you be a force for preservation or erasure?
RE-ACT: A Journey Through Miami’s Ephemeral Art by Boa Mistura
Boa Mistura, founded in Madrid in 2001, is a collective of artists focused on transforming public spaces. Their projects aim to enhance how people experience and interact with these environments. Drawing from the diverse meanings of public spaces, they use vibrant colours, geometry, and text to engage viewers, making the audience an integral part of each project’s impact.
RE-ACT is a collaborative project showcased in partnership with the Doral Contemporary Art Museum (DORCAM) and supported by the Ministry of Culture and Sport of the Government of Spain. It is hosted at the Laundromat Art Space in Miami, FL, in conjunction with PONCE+ROBLES Gallery from Madrid, Spain.
