Mark Dion: The South Florida Wildlife Rescue Unit

Conceptual artist Mark Dion blurs the boundaries between art and science in a thought-provoking installation that examines human interventions in Florida's natural ecosystems. Mark Dion: The South Florida Wildlife Rescue Unit will be on display at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) from May 24, 2025, through February 2, 2026, featuring the artist's large-scale work originally commissioned by the Miami Art Museum in 2006.

The installation presents a fully equipped mobile rescue vehicle operated by a fictional conservation team dedicated to saving endangered species in the Everglades. Complete with uniformed mannequins and a vitrine showcasing specialized tools and artifacts, this staged yet convincingly realistic scene strikes a balance between humorous critique of bureaucratic inefficiency and earnest celebration of grassroots environmental activism.

Through his work, Dion invites viewers to consider the Everglades' complex history—spanning early exploration, ecological exploitation and contemporary restoration efforts. By combining detailed research with subtle irony, the artist challenges conventional narratives about how science, policy and cultural mythology influence our relationship with nature.

This exhibition brings Florida's most fragile ecosystem into focus, offering visitors an opportunity to engage with pressing environmental and social issues through the lens of contemporary art.