Art of Transformation

We are thrilled to present the Annual Art of Transformation (AOT), organized by the Ten North Group as part of the GMCVB's Art of Black Miami, coinciding with Art Basel Miami and Miami Art Week. The 2024 edition, Black Aliveness and an Aesthetics of Being, draws inspiration from Kevin Quashie's seminal book Black Aliveness, or A Poetics of Being (2021, Duke University Press).

This year’s theme links African and African Diaspora literary and theoretical works with visual art, acknowledging the deep historical relationship between literature and visual expression as tools for documenting history and challenging dominant narratives. Over the past five years, we have selected significant literary works by African/Diaspora writers as a foundation for artistic exploration. After highlighting The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin, The Beautiful Human Love by Jacques Stephen Alexis, and I've Known Rivers by Langston Hughes, we continue this tradition by investigating the aesthetic potential of Black Aliveness in 2024.

Through exhibitions, performances, film screenings, and thought-provoking conversations, Black Aliveness and an Aesthetics of Being offers a rich exploration of contemporary issues facing the global Black community and elevates the practice of Diaspora to new heights.

EXHIBITIONS:

ARC: Embodiment of Aliveness: The Sculptures of Siriki Ky, curated by E. H. Malick NDIAYE
Pavilion: Aliveness and Livity, curated by Phillip Thomas
Historic Train Station (West): Preview of Ten North Arts Collection, curated by Professor Yacouba Konate
Historic Train Station (East): Tales of Opa-locka: A Heritage Journey, curated by Alex Van Mecl
Historic Hurt Building: Sahddi Khali Photography, curated by Melissa Hunter
Veterans Of Foreign Wars Building Opa-locka Lot: The Garden of Humanity, curated by James Brazil

PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE:

Wednesday, December 4
6:30 PM | Opening Reception

Thursday, December 5
6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | African Heritage Event Night

Friday, December 6
6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Jamaican Heritage Event Night

Saturday, December 7
10:00 AM | Historic Trail Tour by Alex Van Mecl
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Conversation with Professor Yacouba Konate & Artist Sriki Ky
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Conversation with Curator Phillip Thomas: Panel Discussion on "Aliveness and Livity"
6:30 PM | Museum Night Cocktail Experience

Sunday, December 8
TBA | Celebration of the Re-opening of Opa-locka Historic City Hall
RSVP: Via EventBrite @ Ten North Group or by email at rsvp@TenNorthGroup.com

Art of Black Miami