Art on the Plaza: Christopher Mitchell - Les Sirènes

From June 26 to September 8, the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA), presents Christopher Mitchell - Les Sirènes as part of the Art on the Plaza series. This free public art exhibition features Miami-based, Haitian American photographer Christopher Mitchell, who transforms his photographs into life-sized images of mermaids, incorporating elements from Haitian folklore and Kanaval-inspired costumes.

Les Sirènes showcases seven types of mermaids that inhabit the waters of Haiti, from the beaches to the Basin Bleu waterfalls in Jacmel. Each mermaid represents a cautionary tale from Haitian folklore, including the golden mermaid who lures the greedy, the mermaid bride seeking lifelong bonds and the conch-carrying mermaid acting as a siren for sailors. Other mermaids in the series include the environmental mermaid who charms litterers, the transforming mermaid who binds others to the spiritual world, the people-killing mermaid with sharp teeth and nails, and the divine protector of the natural world who rewards those who care for nature.

Christopher Mitchell, who grew up in Haiti and considers North Miami a second home, brings Les Sirènes to MOCA to connect his community with Haitian mythology and folklore. This installation invites visitors to engage with life-sized mermaids, reimagining MOCA’s plaza as a mythological and enchanted space. The images will be showcased floating gracefully on and underwater in the plaza fountain, creating an immersive experience for all who visit.

Art on the Plaza 2024

Initiated in 2020, Art on the Plaza is a series of temporary public art installations at MOCA’s Plaza, inviting artists to activate the space. The 2024 series features works by South Florida artists Yanira Collado, Christopher Mitchell and Nicole Salcedo. Starting in March 2024, site-specific works will be highlighted for months at a time, engaging and connecting the community with unique and inspiring art.