A place where bookies and art lovers meet, Miami hosted the first-ever Tropic Bound Fair, showcasing artists, publishers, book artists, curators and more. This four-day event, held at Paradise Plaza in the Miami Design District, welcomed visitors and artists from all over the world under one roof.
Originally scheduled to take place in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic postponed this year’s start to February 16-19.
Tropic Bound was developed in 2019 by Cristina Favretto, Sarah Michelle Rupert, and Ingrid Schindall with the support of a Knight Arts Challenge Grant from the John S. and James L Knight Foundation.
Christina Favrett, Director of Special Collections, University of Miami Libraries, said: “We are in a great location, the artists are all very supportive, and we are thrilled to bring this art form to Miami.”
Below are three artists who wowed visitors with their unique works.
Brooklyn INC & Gloribel Delgado Esquilin
“Un Hueco en el Pecho” (which indirectly translates to “the emptiness of my soul”), sewn into a hand-stitched colorful textile book, immediately caught my attention. Marshal Weber’s smile inspired me to delve deeper into the story of this textile book.
Weber introduced me to the Brooklyn INC table. The Brooklyn INC Table is an artist-run non-profit organization whose mission is to promote artists and organizations committed to environmental and social justice.
Brooklyn INC distributes books primarily to the academic market and includes works by Chilean, Puerto Rican and LGBTQ artists. Weber showed us art pieces presented at the fair made by Brooklyn INC artists.
I was lucky enough to meet Puerto Rican artist Gloribel Delgado Esquilín, who created Un Hueco en el Pecho. Delgado Esquilín enthusiastically read her story and shared how this work of art came to life.
“I lost my mother two months ago… this book [me] It’s my last conversation with my mother,” said Delgado Esquilin. “How do you say goodbye to someone you love? That’s why it’s called ‘un hueco en el pecho’.
Delgado Esquilin continued reading “Un Hueco en el Pecho” and explained the symbolism of the story.
“Even the seams [done] With a lot of energy,” said Delgado Esquilin. “I kind of stitch my heart and stitch its pain together and I know it’s going to last longer. But that’s my compromise and that’s why it’s so colorful.”
The last words in the textile book are “lo siento, perdóname, gracias, te amo”, which means “I’m sorry, forgive me, thank you, I love you.”
The artwork on the last page of the book is a spiral and a small bell. Delgado Esquilin explained the symbolism to the spiral road. It’s Delgado Esquilin, who repeats to his mother, “lo siento, perdóname, gracias, te amo.”
“These little bells are the last. Children have books like that. When someone dies, you start a new life, a new step,” said Delgado Esquilin.
Before leaving, the artist gave me some advice.
“Call your mom and tell her how much you love her,” said Delgado Esquilin. “We may have our differences, but in the end, you are the sunshine of my life,” are Delgado Esquilin’s wise words regarding her feelings for her mother.
This textile book shows the connection with the mother. The story moved me and I shared a moving and beautiful tear with Delgado Esquilin.
For more on Delgado Esquilín, follow us on Instagram @moninosgloribel.
Servan Briand
During my trip around the fair, I was intrigued by the exquisite green layered artwork. Artist Servane Briand gave us the meaning of her “Threads of Life” artwork, inspired by her three destinies from Greek mythology.
There were small drawers, accordion books, DNA, cells, and fabric symbolizing Morse code. Briand explained his year-long process of creating this piece and the research he did in science and evolution.
“You have to dye the paper. I use natural dyes and make paper threads. Then I make loops. [and] Weave it. And then there’s beeswax for clarity,” Briand said.
Learn more about Servant Briand here.
Dale Jin
Imagine a bag designed with an adorable cartoon dog reading a book. Want to know more about it?
Founded in 2009, independent printer and publisher Dale Zine’s mission is to provide a platform for artists and designers.
Dale Zine is a cultural space for the Miami community, open to anyone interested in creating a zine. A zine can be a book with just words or just pictures.
Dale Zine offers zine workshops for all ages. Learn more about Dale Zine online and on Instagram @dale_zine.
Other aspects of the fair included welcome day events such as shuttle tours to literary spots throughout Miami, a welcome symposium, and Terrace Talks, an intimate series with the fair’s artists and publishers.
Diverse artists from all over the world bring Miami to a show like no other.
