Artist closes 2022 Art Curators Conference with environmental conversation
Memorializing the Pandemic: Memory box
The United States has reached its one millionth COVID-19-related death. Fully realizing the pandemic is far from over, Boston Globe asked several artists for their vision of what a COVID memorial could look like.
Xavier Cortada offered Memory Box, a participatory memorial comprised of hundreds of 8-foot black metal cube monuments imagined in public and private spaces across the American landscape.
Saying GOODBYE: AN OFFERING OF GRATITUDE
The artist also offered a ritual to bring closure to those who grieve. “The vast majority of people who succumbed to COVID-19 died alone. Their loved ones had no opportunity to say goodbye or be by their side,” said Cortada. “This ritual provides a way for them to say goodbye to those who died.”
Cortada addresses art museum curators
On May 3rd, Cortada closed the 2022 Art Museum Curators Conference in a conversation with Jane Winchell, Curator of Natural History and Director of the Art & Nature Center at the Peabody Essex Museum, about our environmental crises. They discussed the power wielded by creatives to transform institutions and effectuate meaningful social change.
PLANTING MANGROVES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI FOR EARTH MONTH
In celebration of Earth Month, Cortada led University of Miami students in planting dozens of red mangrove propagules along the canal by the Miami Herbert Business School.
CORTADA BRINGS "THE UNDERWATER" TO HIS ALMA MATER, MIAMI SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Working with Miami High’s science department, over 80 interactive presentations about the climate crisis were delivered to more than 2,000 Miami High students. During the one and a half hour sessions, students participated in Cortada’s socially engaged art project, The Underwater.
Earth DAY AT BRITISH RESIDENCE WITH MAYOR LEVINE CAVA
On Earth Day 2022, Cortada joined Miami’s Consular corps and Mayor Daniella Levine Cava at the British Residence to share his thoughts about the urgency of this moment in time