Drawing inspiration from the rich aesthetic heritage of the Ndebele tribe, Nicole Nomsa Moyo’s installation, Pearl Jam, unveiled in time for Miami Art Week 2024, aims to facilitate a sense of self-discovery
While walking through the streets of the Miami Design District, passersby can admire Pearl Jam in Paradise Plaza and Paseo Ponti, an interactive art installation by Nicole Nomsa Moyo that offers a sense of empowerment and self-discovery.
Nomsa Moyo’s work was selected as the Miami Design District’s 2024 Annual Design Commission winner and will be on display through March 31, 2025.
Interviewed exclusively for the Luster + Art “Senses & Shapes” edition, Nomsa Moyo said that “Pearl Jam is an offering of self-discovery through cultural expression. It draws inspiration from the women in the Southern African Ndebele culture, who are like prized pearls, artistically expressing themselves through their jewelry, clothing, and architecture,” said to Luster. “The “jam” represents my reimagining of how I connect space and time to express a new form of cultural art and evolution in a global context.”
“By bridging the handcrafted elements with contemporary design, Pearl Jam not only honors their heritage but also serves as a continuation of cultural practices, providing a platform for their voices to shine and resonate in the modern world. This project embodies the beauty of collaboration, showcasing how the artistry of these women contributes to a vibrant narrative that connects the past with the present,” explained Nomsa Moyo to Luster.
What is your expectation regarding the impact of Pearl Jam?
“I hope that viewers leave with a sense of empowerment, recognizing their own stories reflected in the art and feeling a connection to the cultural expressions represented in Pearl Jam.”
Nomsa Moyo was born in Zimbabwe, raised in South Africa, and now lives in Toronto. She is a polymath whose creative output has been celebrated for its ability to transcend cultural boundaries.
“The Miami Design District’s Annual Design Commission has grown into a vibrant tradition that continues to elevate our community and strengthen Miami’s ever-evolving art scene. We are thrilled to celebrate this 10th edition with Nicole Nomsa Moyo’s visionary installation, which beautifully intertwines creativity, culture, and innovation.” said Craig Robins, President and CEO of DACRA.
The idea behind Pearl Jam is all about the amazing craftsmanship of Ndebele women from Southern Africa. They made over 1,000 earrings by hand using materials from their own community and adding intricate patterns and bright colors to each pearl. These pieces show off the incredible talent of these women.
Each earring has a story to tell, connecting different cultures through the beauty of human creativity and empowerment. These pearls are sustainably made and long-lasting.
The installation has four jewelry-themed experiences that you can interact with. They’re placed throughout the Miami Design District. You’ll find giant pearls, a deconstructable necklace, a sprawling bracelet, a cluster of pearls on a tree, and radiant earrings dangling elegantly from the trees. The vibrant, geometric shapes invite visitors to engage with the art.
Created in collaboration with Design Miami’s Curatorial Lab, Pearl Jam captivates Miami Design District visitors in time for Miami Art Week, with additional displays at the entrance of the 20th edition of Design Miami’s flagship Miami Beach fair well into the new year.
If you want to read Nicole Nomsa Moyo’s interview, you can check out the Luster + Art “Sense & Shapes” issue. You can also check out the articles about Miami Art Week in Culture and Miami High Living.
Ingresa los siguientes datos y comienza a disfrutar de nuestra revista digital.