READING ROOM 

—ES DEVLIN

A NEW PARTICIPATORY INSTALLATION BY ES DEVLIN INVITES GUESTS INTO A LIVING ARCHIVE OF COLLECTIVE INSPIRATION AT FAENA MIAMI BEACH. BLENDING LITERATURE, LIGHT, AND COMMUNITY, THE WORK TRANSFORMS EVERYDAY REFLECTIONS FROM THE ARTISTS, CREATIVES, AND HOTEL STAFF, THOSE WHO MAKE THE MAGIC OF FAENA COME TO LIFE INTO A SHARED EXPERIENCE OF READING, LISTENING, AND CONTEMPLATION.

Reading Room is a 46’ long bench incorporating a bookshelf and strip of LED screen. Conceived as a participatory work to complement Library of Us, Es Devlin has asked every member of the hotel staff to contribute a text that has influenced their thinking. Phrases from books and song lyrics have been contributed by the hotel housekeeping team, pool staff, restaurant, bar and kitchen staff, gardening and beach team, maintenance, security and reception staff as well as the teams who fabricated this work and the works on the beach and project room. Titles and phrases have also been contributed by artists who have collaborated with Faena Art over the past decade. Readings of the texts have been recorded by Devlin, and the sculpture will read them aloud and beam them through the LED screen throughout the day. Visitors are invited to sit and read the books, which also include works about the flora and fauna that are featured in Juan Gatti’s murals which surround the work. Translation between Spanish and English is provided by Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, and they also offer further insights into the books within the work.