Award-winning designer Nicole Nomsa Moyo was chosen this year for the Miami Design District’s 2024 Annual Design Commission, titled Pearl Jam. The collaboration with Design Miami’s Curatorial Lab celebrates it’s 10th year, uplifting and beautifying the streets of the city. This initiative is a great way to support public art and foster interest within people who might not have the time or resources to enjoy art in a gallery or museum. A tribute to the women of the Ndebele tribe of South Africa, Moyo celebrates the bold coloring and pattern work that is integral to their culture, built upon centuries of craft and community.
Like blown up necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, Pearl Jam imbues the streets with sculptural art, making one feel much smaller in comparison. The installation features certain beads that double as seats, allowing viewers to become part of the piece, and interact with the elements. Highlighting the high level of craft in the Ndebele tribe, the motifs and colors pay homage to the storied jewelry-making culture.
A communal circle resembling a bangle sits delicately on the plaza. Emblazoned with colors that reflect and celebrate the surrounding landscape, the incredible scale of the jewelry creates a sense of wit – adornment for a creature magnitudes larger than us, much like our heritage as humans. Moyo shares, “Pearl Jam came from within. I reflected on the rich tapestry of my cultural heritage, merging it with contemporary design to create a narrative that both honors and transforms tradition. It is an expression of how deeply personal experiences and historical influences can converge to craft a new, resonant story that bridges past inspirations with present innovation. The Ndebele tribe’s vibrant aesthetic, with its intricate patterns and bold colors, connects with cultures worldwide, echoing the universal language of creativity and identity.” Indeed, Pearl Jam is even more elevated within it’s accessibility, both physically and conceptually. This gentle reminder of what public art should be is inspiring, and is a shining example of the future of shared cultures in Miami.
Round orbs, singular beads, and elegantly plump seating beautifies the playground, adding to the natural beauty that already exists within the space. The magic of these installations is twofold: first, the art is brought outside, democratizing the viewer experience; second, the work is simple to interact with on the surface, yet holds within the depth of the culture of the Ndebele tribe, a rich color and pattern history that shines through so beautifully in the work. It is joyous, tilting the notions of what we might consider public art to be more interactive, colorful, and charming.
Handcrafted gems drip down from the trees, each suspended in air. With different viewpoints come more colors, each orb showing specific patterning and stitch structure that makes for a dynamic installment, one that moves slightly with the ebb and flow of wind. They are all unique by nature of human production, hands allowing for a certain amount of tolerance that imbues the spirit of the maker into each piece.
One can find Pearl Jam installations at many points within the Design District, adding beauty and interest to any space the rounded spheres inhabit. “The Miami Design District is a living, breathing canvas. What excites me is the dialogue between art and the community – how a piece can spark curiosity and conversation. By offering avant-garde opportunities to designers, artists, and architects, we open up new possibilities for how people engage with their environment,” says Craig Robins, Miami Design District visionary and developer.
For more on Pearl Jam, visit miamidesigndistrict.com. To learn more about Nicole Nomsa Moyo’s work, please visit nnmoyo.com.