Rendering of Seletega, 2024 by Nicholas Galanin. Image courtesy of the artist and Faena Art.
December 3 to 8, 2024, from 12 PM to 8 PM
As anticipation builds for Miami Art Week 2024, Faena Art is delighted to reveal a captivating lineup of programming supported by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Headlining the event is Seletega by acclaimed multimedia artist Nicholas Galanin, which will take form on Faena Beach as a striking installation reminiscent of a Spanish galleon’s masts, partially buried in the sand. Rising over thirty feet, this monumental piece serves as a powerful symbol of colonial history and Indigenous resilience, drawing parallels to Hernán Cortés’s 1519 expedition and his resolute decision to “burn the ships,” eliminating any chance of retreat.
Galanin’s artwork poses profound questions spray-painted across the sails in both Spanish and English: “What are we going to give up to burn the sails of empire?” These words invite viewers to reflect on their role in shaping a future of collective liberation while acknowledging the weight of their histories.
In addition to Galanin’s stirring work, the Faena Hotel Cathedral will host the public debut of Lyra Drake, whose installation Infinite Faith in a Finite World offers a portal for personal reflection through an interactive dialogue with a feminine oracle.
Miami-based artist Magnus Sodamin will also contribute a site-specific piece for the City of Miami Beach’s No Vacancy initiative, which celebrates local artists while transforming hotels into temporary art destinations.
Faena Art’s programming, running from December 3 to 8, 2024, from 12 PM to 8 PM, emphasizes community engagement and invites audiences to consider their roles in the natural world and their local environments. As Alan Faena notes, these innovative artistic experiences promise to reshape the cultural landscape of Miami Art Week, offering new horizons for exploration and dialogue. Further details about additional programming will be unveiled in the coming weeks.