An Exploration of Adornment
Faena Art Project Room featuring Cornelius Tulloch's - Bougainvillea: An Exploration of Adornment
FAENA ART PROJECT ROOM | FAENA MIAMI BEACH
Miami-based interdisciplinary artist and designer Cornelius Tulloch brings the Project Room to life with Bougainvillea: An Exploration of Adornment—a multilayered site-specific installation that explores Caribbean cultural aesthetics.
“Lately, I’ve been exploring how Jamaican dancehall and reggae music fused with African American music like R&B and hip-hop and how that fusion has shaped the culture of Miami and Jamaica, the two locations where I was raised,” explained Tulloch. “For this project, I focused on how the costumes and fashion of Caribbean dancehall, Jamaican Junkanoo, and masquerade shape identity in a way that invites the viewer to observe how their choice of clothing and adornment is an extension of who they are and reflect on the story they’re telling,” said Tulloch, adding,
“Every day, we fashion our identities even with the simplest outfit, which, in some ways, is a costume of how we present ourselves to the world.”
The award-winning artist employed various mediums including architecture, photography, and fashion design to communicate a unified storyline of a contemporary Caribbean culture. “I wanted
to spotlight the evolution of a multifaceted Caribbean lifestyle, one beyond old folklore,” he said.
Tulloch collaborated with artist Diana Eusebio on a series of masks that speak to everyday Caribbean culture and Nadia Wolff on textile graphics and set design in Faena Theater, where Tulloch and his team styled and produced the photographs that appear in the exhibition. “Since dancehall, masquerade and junkanoo are big enactments, it was fitting to shoot it in a performance space.” Both the masks and models allowed Tulloch to play with characters and identities to show a layering of Caribbean history that feels authentic to now.
As an architect, it was really important to Tulloch to create an exhibition design and layout that orchestrated how people moved through the space. He used cutouts and windows to frame certain pieces, as well as those journeying through the space to showcase their fashion selections. Tulloch also played with scale and spatial relationships. “I want viewers to feel like they are stepping into the environments captured in the photography.” To create a fully immersive experience, Tulloch used textiles with sublimation printing to create curtains, drapes, and wall coverings. “I want people to experience the dimension of layers so they can feel the essence
of the storyline and engage with it in a meaningful way.”
“My goal is to show people that everyday life is art,” explained Tulloch. “I try to help people step back and witness the beauty in the objects and scenes we often casually glance over in our everyday lives.” He also hopes to make art spaces more inclusive and influence whose stories get told and treated as art.
“I want people to experience art and see themselves as part of the conversation.”
Article from Faena Journal Issue #49
Related Articles
The Faena Questionnaire: Andrés Reisinger
Our rendition of the Proust Questionnaire is a unique take on the famous parlor game that gained popularity, although it was not originally created by Marcel Proust, the renowned French essayist and novelist. Proust believed that by responding to these questions, individuals unveil their genuine essence.
Art, Cultural Adventures, and Current Affairs
Faena Rose is an exclusive private members’ club dedicated to art and culture, founded on the principles of community, cultural enrichment, patronage, and VIP access. Its mission is to enrich members’ lives through world-class programming and to foster a genuine sense of community.
Let The Sun Come In
In anticipation of a new restaurant opening at Casa Faena this fall, Brazilian artist João Incerti has created a vibrant tropical oasis in the hotel’s dining room with his mural titled “Let the Sun Come In.” We spoke with Incerti about his artistic journey and the inspiration behind this stunning artwork.
A Kaleidoscope of Rare Finds
Big Bang has a new influx of one-of-a-kind crafted designs from around the globe. Offerings span from vibrant jewelry and handbags to exclusive swimwear and ready-to-wear pieces, each telling a unique story of craftsmanship and creativity
Spiced Up at Los Fuegos
For the months of August and September Miami Spice brings a culinary spectacle to Los Fuegos offering an unforgettable dining experience that encapsulates the essence of Argentina’s finest flavors and its mastery of fire-based cooking.
Resonant Rhythms
In The Living Room, music reflects the soul of Miami’s vibrant energy. Resident acts from Alfredo Rivero’s American Gipsy to music from Liset Alea, a founding member of the Parisian bossa nova band Nouvelle Vague, captivate audiences on a weekly basis
Sip & Savor Summer Flavors
Restaurant Pao by Paul Qui is redefining seasonal dining with new summer ingredients, an art-inspired cocktail menu, a new wine class, and a must-try Miami Spice menu.
Learn the Delicate Craft of Sushi-making
Promising a summer of delicious discovery, El Secreto’s chef Erik Melendez is launching an interactive two and-a-half-hour sushi-making class this summer.
Beat the Heat
From cryotherapy and hydrating IV drips to summer facials and seasonally priced Miami Spa Months treatments, Tierra Santa offers a myriad of ways to cool down when the heat is high.
Carmen, The Cabaret
In a bold and original move, Faena Theater is set to present a formidable cabaret rendition of Georges Bizet’s 19th-century opera “Carmen,” reimagined by the creative minds at Quixotic, an award-winning performance art collective.