LOCATION : MOCA NOMI SCALE: INSTALLATION STATUS: COMPETITION SUBMISSION
“GOOD BONES”
Just outside of Paradise lies a graveyard. Places that once facilitated growth and connection are now reduced to mere commodities, marketed as “Good Bones” and “development opportunities.” Gutted and stripped of all identity to turn a profit, they are left with no regard for their inhabitants or the environment. What was once vibrant fades to white.
The installation presents the stark reality of Miami’s toxic development culture, displaying fragmented skeletal structures of homes sinking into an abyss. The reflecting pool symbolizes isolated property lines, cutting homes off from the broader community and consuming what remains, like metaphorical tar pits. Familiar shapes—porches, roofs, and windows, and chimneys —help viewers grasp the unfolding housing and environmental crises.
Using traditional construction materials and methods, the installation is delivered in white-painted panels for assembly at MOCA. Portions submerged in water are coated with black roofing asphalt to simulate rot. The fountain is dyed black using non-toxic pond products. Concrete blocks and wood decks with integrated railings guide users over the water and through the installation.
This iteration of Good Bones, adapted from an interior concept, finds new life in MOCA’s fountain. The fountain’s presence enhances the installation’s meaning without compromising its accessibility.
Good Bones navigates the intersections of the city’s cultural identity, the commodification of land, and the socioeconomic and ecological cost of unchecked development. It urges us to remember Miami—as an organism of cultures, with its historic architectural bones, vibrant communities forming its skin, and nature embracing it from all sides, giving the city its unique character. As the young Miami continues to mature, I envision a future where development respects and integrates with the city’s cultural heritage. This installation encourages reflection on balancing progress and preservation, ensuring Miami’s heart continues to beat strong amidst the changing tides of development.
Originally proposed for Locust Projects - See Alternate version here.
