Miami is a very weird place. I’ve heard that from people but was unable to grasp the concept until I spent a day here for myself. The conclusion I’ve reached—Miami is a weird place.
It’s hard to believe that a place like this actually exists outside of the Star Wars galaxy. I’m almost 90 percent sure I saw a wookiee on the streets of South Beach one night. I met and saw some the most bizarre exhibits of people but the most interesting didn’t say a word.
When you pass her by you wouldn’t really think much of her because you would think she was a statue. A woman completely painted in white, this street performer sits still moving only to reposition herself while spectators are scarce.
I was terrified when I first saw her because like most assumed she was a statue, but it wasn’t until I saw her eyes blink did I realize she was an actual person. I had to talk to her.
She, however, did not have to talk to me. In fact she was nice and more than willing to have her picture taken by tourists, but not willing to break her character. She did not speak.
A silent street performer had a story and was able to humbly tell it without saying a word. I understood there she was not begging for money but instead was an artist completely dedicated to her trade. We hold in such high regard a paint brush and canvas but what this woman was doing is considered strange or weird.
Why is what she doing considered weird when she is completely dedicated to her trade?
She did not break character and was completely painted white. She would make origami cranes for those who stopped to stare. This woman was not a beggar but instead an artist ignored by the pretentiousness associated with the art community. Unfortunately since her art was on the streets it will never be fully appreciated.
Art has many forms but the display I saw on South Beach was an example I will never forget.
Miami is still a very weird place.
James Buce 