Miami Design District Ignites with J’OUVERT by Zak Ové

J’OUVERT Zak Ové Miami Design District: A Monumental Celebration

of Culture, Ritual, and Presence

Miami’s art calendar is no stranger to bold statements, but this winter, the Miami Design District raises the bar with J’OUVERT: Zak Ové, a powerful public art installation that transforms Jungle Plaza into a living, breathing celebration of ritual, identity, and collective presence. On view from January 15 through February 9, 2026, this immersive experience marks British-Trinidadian artist Zak Ové’s first solo presentation in Miami, and it arrives

with both visual impact and cultural depth.

From the moment you step into Jungle Plaza, J’OUVERT commands attention. Inspired by the Caribbean Carnival tradition of J’ouvert—meaning “daybreak” in French Creole—the exhibition speaks to rebirth, resistance, and communal expression. True to that spirit, the installation is free, open to the public, and designed to be experienced not just visually, but emotionally and collectively.

At the heart of the exhibition are two of Ové’s most monumental and significant works. Towering above the plaza is The Mothership Connection (2022), a nearly 30-foot totemic sculpture that fuses African iconography with Afrofuturist imagination. The piece feels otherworldly yet ancestral, futuristic yet deeply rooted—an embodiment of diasporic storytelling across time and space.

Surrounding it is Invisible Man and the Masque of Blackness (2016), a striking circular formation of forty graphite figures. Together, they assert dignity, visibility, and collective power in a public space—an intentional act that reframes who occupies monumental ground and why. The installation invites viewers not just to observe, but to stand within it, becoming part of the narrative.

J’OUVERT Zak Ové Miami Design District and

the Power of Public Art

The J’OUVERT Zak Ové Miami Design District installation continues the neighborhood’s legacy of presenting museum-caliber public art in an accessible, open-air setting. Known globally for blending luxury retail with cultural programming, the District has become a must-visit destination for art lovers year-round. Projects like this reinforce its role as a cultural connector—where global voices meet Miami’s multicultural soul.

Learn more about the neighborhood’s public art initiatives at the official Miami Design District website: https://www.miamidesigndistrict.net

But J’OUVERT doesn’t stop at sculpture. The exhibition expands into a dynamic slate of public programming that animates Jungle Plaza with sound, movement, dialogue, and celebration—turning the installation into an evolving cultural hub.

Public Programming Highlights You Won’t Want to Miss

Throughout its run, J’OUVERT is surrounded by thoughtfully curated events that extend Ové’s themes of ritual, diaspora, and collective joy:

• First Look with the Artist: Zak Ové Presents “J’OUVERT”Artist-led preview — January 16, 2026

• Art-Making Workshop: All Hail the MothershipCreative workshop presented by Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) — January 19, 2026

• Public Art TourGuided exploration of J’OUVERT and the District’s public art — January 24, 2026

• Soca Sundays: Dance Class for All LevelsCaribbean-rooted movement experience — January 25, 2026

• Immersive Sound BathMeditative sonic experience within the installation — January 30, 2026

• District Sounds: Carnival EditionOutdoor cultural celebration inspired by Carnival traditions — February 1, 2026

• AFROBETA Live PerformanceMusic, food, and Caribbean celebration — February 6, 2026

• PAMM Scholl Lecture Series: Zak Ové in ConversationArtist talk in collaboration with PAMM — February 5, 2026, 7:00–8:30 PM🔗 https://www.pamm.org

Each event adds another layer to the experience, making repeat visits not just encouraged, but essential.

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Why J’OUVERT Matters Now

At a time when conversations around representation, cultural memory, and shared space are more important than ever, J’OUVERT Zak Ové Miami Design District arrives as both a celebration and a statement. It honors Caribbean heritage, Black futurism, and communal ritual—while

grounding them firmly in the present moment.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a culture seeker, or simply looking for something meaningful to experience outdoors this winter, J’OUVERT offers a rare opportunity to engage with contemporary art that feels alive, inclusive, and unapologetically powerful.

Mark your calendar, bring your friends, and step into Jungle Plaza—because this is one

Miami moment you’ll want to feel, not just see.