“House of Cards” is an installation Miami artist Xavier Cortada is creating in collaboration with teens at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in North Miami, FL.

In executing the piece, teens are first asked to reflect on important conversations that never took place. Teens are then asked to create cards addressing those absent conversations.

Teens are asked to create (draw, paint) two cards:

One is a card (conversation) they wish they had sent to someone in the past.
The other is the card they wish they would have received from someone.
The completed cards will then be suspended in the air (using monofilament) in the shape of a House of Cards.

The teenagers’ “House of Cards” addresses the importance of open communication and mutual understanding in developing the foundation for a strong and stable life. The precarious nature of the installation (fragile, suspended, dangling) highlights our society’s difficulty maintaining sustained dialogue with adolescents.

HOUSE OF CARDS: TEEN DAY AT MOCA
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art, 770 NE 125 St., North Miami, FL
Date: Saturday, May 13, 2006
Time: 1 PM – 4 PM
FREE! Discover Art that Documents Life. You are invited to MOCA’s annual free day of workshops for Teens! Meet young artists, photojournalists and documentary filmakers. Participate in workshops, draw, paint, write poetry and experiment with video equipment. The best clips and art work created will appear on the MTV & MOCA website. Teens are encouraged to register in advance. More Info: 305.893.6211 or visit http://www.mocanomi.org/