BEFORE MIAMI DESIGN PRESERVATION LEAGUE

—LIENE BOSQUÊ

FAENA ART IN SUPPORT OF NO VACANCY, A PROGRAM OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH AND THE MIAMI BEACH VISITOR AND CONVENTION AUTHORITY

The importance of preservation has become increasingly apparent to us as a society —in large metropolises like Miami where new towering structures are changing the skyline daily, we forget the past architectural gems that once defined an area. ‘Before Miami Design Preservation League’, a twenty-four-foot-long work by Liene Bosquê hangs over the Path of the Warrior, serving as a testament to the bygone architectural landmarks of Miami Beach. A suspended aluminum curtain of gracefully hanging chains in soft golden oranges, light pinks, into blues reminiscent of the watercolor-like skies of South Florida at sunset, Liene delicately traces the elegant and unique contours of Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival, and Miami Modern architectural styles. These forms, now the focus of tireless preservation efforts, emerge as poignant reminders of the city’s rich history and architectural heritage. The formation of the Miami Design Preservation League, a vital organization established in 1976, has since been committed to safeguarding and building awareness of the historical and architectural legacy of Miami Beach. As a Miami transplant and a trained architect, Liene was immediately confronted with the historical essence and importance of these architectural elements.

Through exhaustive research she found archival photographs and books about these lost buildings and preserved them through silhouettes in this work. Bosque not only hopes for Miami Beach to serve as an example, but she envisions the emulation of this legacy-preserving model in other cities, now more than ever. As the concrete jungle continues to expand around us, she questions the ecological and environmental impacts of this destruction and reconstruction. How does the disposability of these buildings reflect our position in society, how do we reach a point where we feel entitled to erase the past? Now, thanks to the efforts of the Miami Design Preservation League, areas like Ocean Drive have become a recognized destination for tourists, students, and architects to immerse themselves in the classic pastel structures iconic to the Art Deco movement.