MIAMI ART WEEK – FAENA ART PRESENTS ALEXANDRE ARRECHEA: DREAMING WITH LIONS

‘Dreaming with Lions’ is the product of a year-long reflection by Arrechea inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s seminal literary work, The Old Man and the Sea. Erected directly on the beach in front of Faena Hotel, Dreaming with Lions is an existential work, while also serving as a living monument to the sheer force of the human spirit. The artwork in itself tries to reconstruct symbols of hope, faith and the strength of human resilience that in the face of today’s moral challenges, still prevail.

Constructing a 62’ diameter rotunda resembling an enormous, forum-style library, Arrechea incorporates beach towels, illustrated with phrases “Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is,” and “But man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated,” taken directly from Hemingway’s text.

Aptly, this new commission embodies our ability to withstand relentless and enormous challenges and persist, even in the face of defeat. Relying on the architectural potential of a forum-style structure to reinforce these ideological messages, the installation is a continuation of Arrechea’s investigation of public spaces and their philosophical legacy as interpretative centers of power, hierarchy and social progress.

“It’s important for me to integrate the spirit and energy of the city by identifying an object that forms part of its real cultural identity,” Arrechea says. “In a time where culture is trivialized and our symbols as we know them are being devalued, we require a gesture of greater faith, “Dreaming with Lions” proposes action and reflection. That we reflect upon coherence and respect of oneself and others, and that we continue to invent ways to confront our destiny while maintaining integrity and grandeur.”

Since 2011, Faena Art has been consistently dedicated to showcasing artwork inspired by and for the community in Miami and Buenos Aires. The significance of this year’s commission, particularly in a moment where outdoor public art is critical to inspire audiences while maintaining a safe social distance, will preserve Faena Art’s cultural agenda, honor the continued contributions of Miami’s thriving cultural community, and celebrate the impact art makes year-round on the city. “We take our position to support the cultural pulse of the city very seriously and are pleased to be able to unite our communities by commissioning such a hopeful and inspiring artwork, that speaks about human resilience, from an important Miami-based artist.” says Alan Faena

Alexandre Arrechea is a Cuban artist whose work involves concepts of power and its network of hierarchies, surveillance, control, prohibitions, and subjection. Former member of the collective Los Carpinteros, Arrechea’s work is remarkable in its interdisciplinary and inclusive nature, often creating pieces such as large installation works that invite the viewer to participate and physically engage with them. The interdisciplinary quality of his work reveals a profound interest in the exploration of both public and domestic spaces. This quest has led him to produce 10 monumental sculptures of iconic New York buildings to emerge along the Park Avenue Malls (2013) and most recently a four building-like forms reposing within massive canary-yellow chairs, installed at the Coachella Valley (2016).

Faena Hotel Miami Beach
3201 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33140
November 29 – December 6, 2020
10am – 6pm
Free and open to the public