The Most Epic Voyager Ever

Last Saturday, we found ourselves at the Venetian Pool for our first-ever collaboration with Beatriz Monteavaro.

When we first approached the artist about a commission for 50 pieces, we explained that each Collector member and partner would receive the limited edition or original work as part of the program, and that the works would be unveiled at a special event for our growing community. It’s initially with this idea of found treasure and exploration that Beatriz thought of the mythological merchant ship Demeter, which sets sail from Carpathia to London to deliver a cargo of 50 unmarked wooden crates until Dracula shows up…

As Beatriz progressed through the process, however, a different side of the story emerged. The idea of a journey on a ship—and the many ways that journey holds real and imagined meaning for us—became more personal. It wasn’t about Dracula anymore, but about the bounty, and sending her mom to paradise like the Egyptians did with ships in tombs. Now, Beatriz’s mother is a captain.  

In a tender and often humorous conversation with writer and photographer Monica Uszerowicz, we learned how Beatriz—a Cuban refugee who arrived in the U.S. at the age of 5 years—still draws inspiration from her earliest memories of Disney World. We also talked about movies, sci-fi, marine life, aliens, and family. DJ/producer Phaxas gifted us with a killer vinyl set; and Tito’s Handmade Vodka, New Belgium Brewing, and Liquid Death kept us hydrated. 

Titled Voyager 1-50, this body of work is dedicated to Beatriz’s mom. 

Biggest love to curatorial and visionary partners at Primary Projects, to our dedicated team who worked so diligently to support this effort, and to our Season Six members and alumni for making this journey possible. Photos by Andrea Lorena.