Germane Barnes: Play-House
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) invites visitors to step back in time and explore a vanishing aspect of Miami’s history through the exhibit titled Germane Barnes: Play-House, running from June 12 to November 17. This thought-provoking installation pays tribute to the unique shotgun houses that were once a staple in neighborhoods such as Overtown and Coconut Grove. Renowned architect and designer Germane Barnes transforms MOCA’s Paradise Courtyard into a playful environment featuring a minimalist replica of a shotgun house, creating a space that encourages exploration and discovery.
Historically, shotgun houses are characterized by their narrow, linear design, common in the American South. These simple, wooden structures often provided housing for workers living close to their jobs. However, many of these historic homes have been replaced by larger, multifamily units, altering the architectural landscape of Miami. In Play-House, Barnes presents a stripped-down version of these homes, constructed with raw lumber to emphasize their often-overlooked significance in the city’s history. This installation highlights the essential contributions of Black labor to Miami’s development, from the construction of buildings to the operation of hotels and entertainment venues.
Visitors have the opportunity to engage with the history of these iconic homes through VR-activated archives that showcase images from turn-of-the-century newspaper articles and resources from the Black Archives. By integrating technology, Play-House seeks to preserve the stories and significance of these spaces, offering a powerful reflection on how architecture influences identity and community.
Germane Barnes, the visionary behind this installation, is a Miami-based architect and artist whose work explores the intricate relationship between architecture and identity. As an Associate Professor and the Director of The Community Housing & Identity Lab (CHIL) at the University of Miami School of Architecture, Barnes’s research and design practices have garnered recognition from prestigious institutions such as The Museum of Modern Art in New York, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and The National Museum of African American History and Culture. His innovative approach, particularly in focusing on Black domesticity, has established him as a rising star in contemporary architecture.
Through Germane Barnes: Play-House, MOCA not only honors the architectural legacy of shotgun houses but also invites the community to reflect on the profound impact of these structures on the collective memory of Miami. This exhibit serves as a reminder of the rich narratives embedded within the city’s architectural fabric, urging visitors to recognize and appreciate the histories that have shaped their environment.
