Alcova Miami has returned for its second edition, inviting viewers to ruminate on the future of design from December 3 to December 8 as part of Miami Art Week. This time around, the fair finds itself in the historic Miami River Inn, a cluster of pastel-colored mansions surrounded by lush, jungle-like vegetation in the East Little Havana neighborhood.
Aluminum Veneer. Courtesy of Bureau Parso.
A Variety of Cerebral Site-Specific Installations
The property is a rich architectural backdrop for Alcova’s site-specific installations, which are to be found both indoors and outdoors. The multidisciplinary artist Lucas Muñoz Muñoz completely transformed the hotel’s central courtyard using objects he sourced throughout the city; the Los Angeles-based collective AnanasAnanas, known for their bold and innovative approach to food design, created an installation for the pool. “1,033 Tangerines” features large-scale rotating steel vessels topped with slices of tangerines, intended to be eaten by guests. The work thoughtfully grapples with water consumption as it takes 17,572.84 gallons of water, represented by the amount of water in the pool, to produce 200 pounds of tangerines—approximately 1,033 pieces.
“1,033 Tangerines.” Courtesy of AnanasAnanas and Elena Petrossian.
Alcova Miami 2024 Centers Emerging Talent
Alcova garnered buzz last year for its cutting-edge and wide-ranging curation of works from designers, galleries, companies, institutions, and researchers, and this year’s edition is equally cerebral. The fair presents works from 40 exhibitors, with a specific emphasis on emerging talents. Panorammma (Mexico) showcases domestic multidisciplinary exhibitions, while the Italian collective Parasite 2.0 x bianco67 collaborated to focus on the reuse processes of marble and stone. Also not to be missed is Turkish interior architect and designer Sema Topaloğlu’s “The Nonconformist Tropical Garden,” an ethereal and kaleidoscopic testament to the artist’s glass-blowing abilities.
This year’s edition also features the return of numerous prominent designers who have helped shape Alcova’s identity in their experimental usage of materials and technologies, including Rich Aybar (RAWORKSHOP), Objects of Common Interest, LoopLoop, and Crafting Plastics! Studio.
Courtesy of Furn Object and Lena Pogrebna.
Contemporary Design Discussions
Programming will also extend to daily afternoon talks and discussions curated by Space Caviar and Studio Vedèt, delving into forward-thinking themes in contemporary designs. Topics will range from plant-based material innovation to aesthetic storytelling in collectible design.
