Edison Peñafiel Run, Run, Run, Like The Wind

The City of Miami Beach proudly presents “Run, Run, Run Like The Wind,” a temporary installation by Miami-based artist Edison Peñafiel. “Run, Run, Run Like The Wind” unfurls its vibrant narrative across nine expansive flags, a captivating public artwork displayed prominently outdoors. Each flag, a canvas of brilliant hues, bears poignant lyrics from Latin American protest songs of the 1960s and 70s—Victor Jara’s “El Aparecido” and Violeta Parra’s “Run run se fue pa’l norte.” These lyrical tapestries intricately weave the emotional odyssey of migration, encapsulating the tension between departing the familiar and embracing an uncertain destiny.

The figures depicted on the banners are in perpetual motion, carrying luggage and sprinting toward enigmatic destinations. Adorning their ankles are wings, a homage to the Greek god Hermes, protector of travelers. Every banner boasts a unique phrase, drawing from songs, idioms, and the experiences of refugees. Haitian Creole is seamlessly integrated, reflecting the diverse immigrant demographics of Miami and South Florida. As the banners dance in the wind, “Run, Run, Run Like The Wind” emerges as a profound symbol of movement, encapsulating hope, fear, and the myriad emotions tied to seeking a new home. The collection originally debuted at the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami, as part of the Museum’s “Arts on the Plaza” exhibition. The work has been adapted for its presentation in Miami Beach, building upon the city’s rich diversity and history.

Edison Peñafiel’s work delves into the intricate complexities of our global landscape, focusing on marginalized narratives. His immersive installations illuminate the experiences of migrants and laborers, revealing the human dramas embedded in prevailing power structures.

Originally from Ecuador, Peñafiel migrated to the United States in 2002. Since graduating from the Florida International University’s Fine Arts program in 2016, he concentrated his practice on numerous large scale projects, site-specific, and immersive installations projects presented at The Bass Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, the Orlando Museum of Art, the Elsewhere Museum, the Contemporary Art Center New Orleans, the Atlantic Center for the Arts, the USF Contemporary Art Museum, the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, Atchugarry Art Center, among others. Notable awards include: the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Florida Prize in Contemporary Art, the South Florida Cultural Consortium Fellowship, the Green Family Foundation, and the Foundation for Contemporary Arts.

https://edisonpenafiel.com/