Agua dulce, 2020

ABRAHAM CRUZVILLEGAS

b. 1968, Mexico

Agua dulce, 2020

Water, wood, galvanized steel, enamel, iron, mulch, sand, Annona glabra, Baccharis dioica, Batis maritima, Borrichia frutescens, Byrsonima Lucida, Cardiospermum corindum, Coccothrinax argentata, Erythrina herbacea, Eugenia axillaris, Fabaceae (Leguminosae), Gaillardia pulchella, Helianthus debilis, Limonium, Mimosa strigillosa Morella cerifera, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Opuntia stricta, Passiflora suberosa, Phyla nodiflora, Salix caroliniana, Serenoa repens, Sophora tomentosa, Spartina alterniflora, Thrinax radiata, Tripsacum dactyloides, Tripsacum floridanum, Verbenaceae, Leptospermum lanigerum, Zamiaceae, Zanthoxylum clava-herculis

Courtesy of the artist, commissioned by The Bass, Miami Beach

Abraham Cruzvillegas’ newly commissioned sculptural installation Agua dulce brings the artist’s philosophy of autoconstrucción or “selfconstruction,” a practice of resilience and generosity, to Collins Park. Utilizing numerous species of flora, fauna and mineral; performers mimicking native birds; and seating that the artist constructed with locally sourced materials, Agua dulce forms a plant environment in front of The Bass encompassing nearly 14,000 square feet.

Collaboration, adaptability, and a focus on “the local” are core tenets of Cruzvillegas’ practice that emerge within the exhibition out of necessity, and by design. Through research with local experts on native flora, Cruzvillegas selected around 23 different species to create the installation of more than 1,000 plants. Many of the included species, like the Salix Caroliniana (Coastal Plain Willow), have medicinal properties and are regularly used by the Seminoles, introducing notions of care and restoration to the installation. Through the “reclaimed” landscape of native species, visitors can learn from and question their surrounding environment.

Agua dulce is part of the Knight Art Commissions Program funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Agua dulce is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov. Additional support provided by The Cowles Charitable Trust.