Faena Art has officially announced its highly anticipated programming for Miami Art Week 2024. The week will be headlined by a breathtaking, site-specific commission from celebrated Tlingit/Unangax̂ cross-disciplinary artist Nicholas Galanin. Supported by Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the installation, Seletega (run, see if people are coming/corre a ver si viene gente), will take center stage on the iconic sands of Faena Beach.
Galanin’s creation reimagines a Spanish galleon’s masts, sails, and rigging, partially buried beneath the sand, rising over 30 feet high. This striking imagery evokes the occupation of Indigenous lands and the arrival of European colonial forces that reshaped the “Americas” for the extraction of wealth. The work ties the threads of history to the present, challenging viewers to confront the legacies of colonialism and the ongoing liberation struggle.
The installation draws inspiration from Hernán Cortés’s expedition to Mexico in 1519. Cortés, facing exhaustion and potential dissent among his men, ordered his ships scuttled to eliminate the possibility of retreat. This symbolic act, known as “quemar las naves” (burn the ships), demanded a commitment to the unknown future, sending a clear message of irreversible action. Galanin’s masts and sails reflect this pivotal historical moment, serving as a metaphor for today’s social and political landscapes—urging us to let go of the past and forge a new path forward.
Spray-painted on the sails in both Spanish and English, the artist poses critical questions:
“What are we going to give up to burn the sails of empire? Qué vamos a renunciar para quemar las velas y los aparejos del imperio? What are we going to build for our collective liberation? Qué vamos a construir para nuestra liberación colectiva?”
These thought-provoking inquiries challenge viewers to reflect on their roles and responsibilities in dismantling oppressive systems and building a more equitable future.
As a monumental anchor for Faena Art’s Miami Art Week programming, Seletega embodies the essence of transformation, resilience, and commitment to change. It serves as a call to action, asking us to consider what we must abandon and create for a collective, liberated future.
Faena Art’s programming promises once again to be a cultural highlight of Miami Art Week, engaging audiences with innovative installations that provoke dialogue and inspire action.
Galanin’s work engages deeply with social issues, particularly those impacting Indigenous communities, inviting dialogues between Indigenous and non-Indigenous experiences.
“By bringing these groundbreaking artists to Miami Beach, we honor their innovative practices and provide a transformative space for immersive experiences that engage local and global audiences. We are thrilled to continue elevating the community and expanding the cultural landscape of Miami Art Week with bold, thought provoking programming that invites the world to explore new artistic horizons,” said Alan Faena.
Faena Art’s Miami Art Week Programming will be on public display from Tuesday, December 3 through Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 12 – 8 PM.
