Lincoln Road, the iconic outdoor shopping, dining and cultural destination situated in the heart of Miami Beach, has announced a new public art installation to celebrate Miami Beach Pride, which brings together members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, their friends, allies and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBTQ+ community. The three-month installation, titled “PRIDE247,” on view through International Pride Month from April 4 through June 30, will highlight the artistic vision of AMLgMATD, a Miami-based collaboration between Laz Ojalde and Natalie Zlamalova. The works of art and design by the dynamic duo reflect their passion for unique and often overlooked materials.
The pair channels their colorful creativity into reconstructing the LGBTQ pride flag by using individual polypropylene webbing straps that weave through the palm trees hovering Lincoln Road’s Euclid Oval. Strategically located in the heart of the pedestrian-only promenade, the artwork will become the focal
point of the picture-perfect gathering space as a subtle reminder that we are individuals who together weave the fabric of our society. Additionally, the artists will elevate the district’s entry points on Washington Ave. and Alton Road, as well as the Euclid Oval, by incorporating colorful textile sleeves to all the planters reflecting the pride progressive flag. AMLgMATD’s approach involves redefining environments using repetition with familiar and unfamiliar materials in site-specific settings while integrating historical, geographical and cultural research into their artistic visual language.
“PRIDE247 uses the simplicity of lines to reflect connectivity,” said Laz Ojalde and Natalie Zlamalova, the creatives behind AMLgMATD. “The original rainbow flag with its original 8, then 6 colors, was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978 for the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade under Harvey Milk’s administration, to symbolize love, happiness, peace, understanding, inclusion, and hope, all under the umbrella of a rainbow in the sky. The “PRIDE247” installation deconstructs and reconstructs the pride flag allowing the individual webbing straps to intertwine in the same way we as humans make up our multifaceted society.”
“Lincoln Road has a decades-long connection with the LGBTQ community, and has always served as a lively hub where they feel safe and celebrated,” said Anabel Llopis, executive director of the Lincoln Road Business Improvement District. “In honor of Lincoln Road’s deep ties with the LGBTQ community, we are
thrilled to present art that not only supports equality and inclusivity but visually captivates our locals and visitors on a large scale.”
Lincoln Road will celebrate Miami Beach Pride and unveil the installation during a special event on Thursday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. The free public event will also include Pride Lights the Night, an annual lighting ceremony honoring the memory of the Pulse Nightclub and Club Q shootings, which profoundly affected the LGBTQ+ community. For more information, please visit Eventbrite.
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