Miami Beach, FL – March 15, 2016 – Faena Art, the international nonprofit organization led by Ximena Caminos, unveiled Beatriz Monteavaro’s commission Return to Tomorrow, the latest in the organization’s ELEVATE series of rotating site-specific installations in Faena District Miami Beach for emerging and mid-career Miami-based artists. Monteavaro’s Return to Tomorrow transforms Casa Claridge’s elevator into a lo-fi, slow motion, rocket ship to outer space with portholes that look out onto hand-drawn glow-in-the dark stars and forgotten satellites. The installation references ‘Return to Tomorrow’, an episode of Star Trek from the original series as well as ‘Space Mountain’ and the now-defunct ‘Mission to Mars’ rides at Disney World that simulate space travel. Monteavaro’s nostalgic and black-light glowing interior of the cab is at once an homage to analog technology and a futuristic fantasy. The opening event held at Casa Claridge’s Faena District Miami Beach, which included vinyl set by DJ Le Spam, brought together art world luminaries and community leaders including the artist herself, Alan Faena, Ximena Caminos, Sybilla Sorondo, Kalup Linzy, Daniel Novella, Chana Budgazad Sheldon, Roc Laseca, Kathryn Mikesell, Tami Katz-Freiman, Patrizia and Leonard Schrank, Diane Sepler, Walter Der Weerdt, Milton Becerra, DJ Le Spam, Silvia Barisione, Antoine Bona, Joanne Stone, Gita Shamdasani, Anita Alvarez de Toledo, James Quinlan, John Lin, Suzy Buckley, Herb Sosa, Liubasha Rose, Stacey Glassman Mizener, Zoe Lukov and Jenny Gil.

World Red Eye caught up with Beatriz Monteavaro, who gave us a closer look into her latest installation as well as where she draws inspiration from and what her work flow is like.

A lot of my work has been about trying to capture the kind of real seeming fantasy experiences that theme parks can pull off in their dark rides.

Beatriz Monteavaro

WRE: Tell us about your latest exhibition, Return to Tomorrow as part of Faena Art’s ELEVATE program at Casa Claridge’s.

BM: I have been very interested in space travel all my life. Rides at Disney like Space Mountain and the retired Mission to Mars, gave me the feeling of actually accomplishing that. A lot of my work has been about trying to capture the kind of real seeming fantasy experiences that theme parks can pull off in their dark rides. When this project was presented to me, I was really excited because the exhibition space was already a ride, it traveled, it literally transported passengers. I knew I wanted it to be a spaceship.

WRE: What is it about outer space that inspires you?

BM: Outer space is vast, mysterious, and filled with possibilities and adventure. I am a fan of both the Star Trek and Star Wars properties, as well as the real life accomplishments of NASA and other international space programs. When we think of outer space, we can see all humans as one people, and the Earth as something we all share. I also just love the night’s sky.

WRE: What kind of materials & tools were used to create, Return To Tomorrow?

BM: I made six ink drawings, black ink on white paper. These drawings were scanned, blown up and printed on glow in the dark vinyl. A team of vinyl installing professions installed the vinyl. There are also four black light bulbs illuminating the space.

WRE: What message are you trying to communicate with your art?

BM: I am trying to communicate my human experience. I am trying to share things that bring me joy. Maybe you’ll like them too. I am encouraging everyone else to find their own individuality. Wonder.

WRE: What is a typical day in the studio like for you?

BM: A typical day at the studio might start with me rearranging some of my action figure collection, sitting on the floor and drawing for a while, and band practice (a band called Holly Hunt) with my boyfriend/artist/guitarist, Gavin Perry, in the evening.

WRE: What is your favorite medium to work with and why?

BM: My favorite medium is probably drawing. It is the most low-fi. You don’t need much to do it, and in a short time you can create magic out of thin air.

WRE: What are your thoughts on today’s Miami art scene and the impact of Faena Art in the city? 

BM: Faena Art is doing an amazing job revitalizing the Mid- Beach area. I think it’s great to have not for profits like Faena Art and Locust Projects in Miami to offer a real alternative to the gallery system. It was a real pleasure to work with Ximena Caminos, Zoe Lukov and the entire Faena Art staff.