Juan Alejandro Landaverde

In Built to Suit, Juan Landaverde will be creating a site specific installation of a series of sculptures for the Commuter Biennial beginning in August that replicate the appearance of parking spaces to be situated in agricultural fields and spaces in Homestead and South Dade. This visual juxtaposition of elements recognizable to urban life in the immediate context of more rural and agrarian sites serves as a commentary and reflection upon the increased urbanization and development of Homestead and South Dade, and its effect on land use and agricultural industries and lifestyles.

“My artwork focuses on the ever changing landscape of a community that is identified by its fields of agriculture and blue-collar workforces as it shifts to a more suburban landscape. The work seeks to lay bare the tensions between the clashing lifestyles of new development and the historically agricultural based community as they compete for space, land, and economic gain. This installation Built to Suit showcases what could be inevitable in the coming years as development increases: homes, apartments, strip malls, large businesses. As a result, the community loses its identity and character. This installation attempts to present a paradox on how different sites are competing against each other and/or want to be something or go back to what they used to be.” - Juan Landaverde

Juan Alejandro Landaverde (b.1990, born Miami, FL, lives and works in Homestead, FL) is an artist based out of Homestead, Florida. His work seeks to lay bear the tensions between the clashing lifestyles of agriculture and blue-collar workforces in historically agricultural based communities.  His works have been exhibited at Miami Dade College, Artsouth, and the New World School of Arts in downtown Miami. Landaverde is the recipient of the Silver Key Award and has been featured in the Miami Herald. He is also the recipient of The Member of the Year Award from the Homestead Art Society at Miami Dade College. Landaverde holds an Associates Arts Degree from Miami Dade College and a BFA at Florida International University.

See more about Juan Landaverde here.