MOCA NOMI CELEBRATES ART WEEK WITH FOCUS ON BLACK CULTURE

Artist Didier William is featured as part of the MOCA NOMI Miami Art Week exhibition. Image courtesy the artist.

Haitian carnivals are captured, immigrant life is explored, and legacy and family are front and center in a slate of exhibits being highlighted during Miami Art Week at the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami.
“All of the exhibitions recognize black culture through their work in different ways,” said Chana Sheldon, MOCA’s Executive Director. “This is really an extension of our work as a community focused museum that is creating space for our communities to see a reflection of themselves through our exhibitions.”

“Didier William: Nou Kite Tout Sa Dèyè,” or “We’ve Left That All Behind,” is on view through April 16.
The multi medium exhibit will include paintings, sculpture and drawings and is a chance for visitors to view an expansive collection of over 40 pieces of artwork by the Haitian born artist. In addition to a catalog to commemorate the exhibit, a film will also be shown as part of the show.

“When our visitors enter the museum, there is an open area where you can sit down and really get to know Didier’s connection to the community and his kind of coming of age through this documentary,” said Sheldon.
“The Didier William documentary was created in conjunction with the University of Miami so we’re really excited about the opportunity to have that collaboration with Emmy Award winning filmmaker Marlon Johnson at the helm of directing that.”

Lyon (Lion), 2009, 40 x 40 in, C-type Lambda prints from scans from black and white medium format negatives – Photo Credit Leah Gordon.

“Kanaval”, an exhibit on Haitian festivities spanning two decades, will also be accompanied by a feature length film.

“Leah Gordon’s exhibit is featuring a brand new film that we’re absolutely thrilled to premiere at the museum,” said Sheldon. “It will be part of the exhibition itself so visitors will walk into the gallery space and be encountered by the large scale black and white photographs by Leah Gordon. Then as they walk through the space they will have the opportunity to watch her new film.”

The photographs, curated by Adeze Wilford, were taken with a mechanical medium format camera. These stills are accompanied by a series of testimonies offered by troupe leaders who are also responsible for the carnival’s costume design.

“All the prints are just absolutely amazing. The scale of the prints…have such a strong presence and really represent Leah’s long time commitment to exploring and being in Haiti.”

Vanta Black’s To What Lengths – Photo Credit: Daniel Bock.

While there, visitors will also be able to view “To What Lengths”. It is the latest installment of MOCA’s “Art on the Plaza,” which is an ongoing revolving outdoor exhibit geared for the public.

The piece by Chire “VantaBlack” Regans involves five palm trees and through them she weaves history, tradition and family engagement with large-scale braids. They are symbolically enhanced through her use of artificial flowers, beads and metals. Each represent styles worn by the women in VantaBlack’s family.

To accommodate visitors during Miami Art Week the museum will offer extended hours. Special programming includes a public reception from 8 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1. and on Saturday, Dec. 3 visitors can attend public tours with William and Gordon as well as their curators, Erica Moiah James, Ph.D. and Wilford.

What: Miami Art Week at MOCA North Miami
Where: 770 NE 125th Street, North Miami
When: Miami Art Week through Dec. 3. Exhibits run through 2023

Cost: Public Reception On Thursday, Dec. 1 at 8 p.m.: $20 regular admission, $10 for seniors and students.

Complementary admission for MOCA Members and Miami Art Week VIPs with proof of membership/VIP status at the door. Click here to RSVP.

Public Tour on Dec. 3 11 a.m.: Free with museum admission. General admission is $10 for adults; $5 for seniors, students and visitors with disabilities and free for MOCA Members, City of North Miami residents and children under 12. Click here to RSVP.

For more information call: (305) 893-6211.

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