Maite Iribarren Vázquez

Retaining Body

Retaining Body
roto-cast plastic, dominoes, aluminum,
water 15”x6’x16”

Retaining Body considers the human impact of rampant construction and development as water levels rise in Miami. It references both infrastructure used for water capture, pumping and storage, as well as human artifacts used to alleviate flooding emotionally and physically. Both the infrastructural objects and detritus of domestic life used in this piece become debris in flood water.

Its plastic body was fabricated by dissecting, heat forming and welding roto-cast plastic traffic barricades. Six dominoes are embedded throughout the sculpture. These dominoes were found locally in the ruins of Li’l Abner Mobile Home Park after its mass eviction, which displaced hundreds of residents despite protests and legal battles, when a developer purchased the land for redevelopment.

This piece was commissioned by YoungArts Foundation for the New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) fair in Ice Palace Studios during Miami Art Week 2025.