Beatriz Chachamovits
Into the Great Dying: Roles We Play
2023
A site-specific, interactive installation that invites the public to participate in the symbolic restoration of a coral reef. Five ceramic bases, punctuated with holes, rest on plinths of varying heights, making the work accessible to visitors of all ages. Surrounding the plinths, three tables display a diverse array of ceramic coral species, each mounted on slender ceramic poles designed to fit into the holes on the bases. Participants are encouraged to handle the ceramic corals, thoughtfully placing them into the bases to reconstruct the reef. Once complete, the corals are returned to the tables, inviting new visitors to engage and create an entirely different reefscape. Through this continuous cycle of construction and deconstruction, the installation emphasizes the collaborative effort, time, and care required to heal marine ecosystems. By actively involving the public in the reef’s reimagining, Into the Great Dying: Roles We Play prompts reflection on our shared responsibility in reversing the damage we inflict on the ocean. It serves as a reminder that restoration is an ongoing, collective process—one that demands patience, resilience, and community.
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Text by Adeze Wilford, curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art of North Miami
Into the Great Dying: The Roles We Play by environmental artist Beatriz Chachamovits is the final installation in a three-part series that invites viewers to engage with an interactive coral reef. With much discussion centered on how human beings have contributed to damaging the fragile ecosystems, this installation instead encourages audiences to participate in rebuilding a reef. The tactile experience of holding replicas of at-risk local coral species aims to create a grounding experience for visitors, encouraging them to take a mindful approach to the rapidly shifting climate.
The artist, focusing on coral native to the area, has hand-casted hundreds of pieces that when assembled by visitors shapes a representation of the South Florida reef system. The five species selected by the artist - Staghorn, Elkhorn Brain, Pillar and Sea Fan coral – range in shape and size, reflecting the local biodiversity. Each one is common to the area and is either at risk of extinction or used for restoration endeavors such as coral nurseries.
Over several years, Chachamovits has blended her practice in ceramics and drawing with teaching, bridging a gap between visual art and science. Paired with video content featuring Miami-based marine scientists and ecological teaching-activists, this interactive installation encourages new ways of confronting the climate crisis. After decades of ominous warnings and heightened fear about the state of the planet, this body of work offers a different perspective: what can we build together?
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The following videos are from my collaborators: Rescue a Reef and BlueScholars initiative that plays an active role in protecting our surrounding water ecologies. It is my utmost pleasure to present their work and open a portal for everyone to get involved with them!