Remembering Surrounded Islands

For the 35th anniversary of Surrounded Islands - a monumental temporary art installation by world renowned environmental artists Jeanne-Claude & Christo that wrapped eleven small islands in Biscayne Bay with 6.5 million square feet of bubble gum pink woven polypropylene plastic - Perez Art Museum Miami presented a documentary exhibition about the work entitled Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Surrounded Islands, Biscayne Bay, Greater Miami, Florida, 1980–83 | A Documentary Exhibition. This was the first time the exhibition was on display in North America.

As part of the exhibition, PAMM commissioned filmmakers Lisa Leone and Jonathan David Kane to produce a half hour documentary about the creation of Surrounded Islands and the Miamians who contributed to this marvelous feat. The filmmakers interviewed former politicians, lobbyists, art critics, and artists about the uphill battle to realize Christo & Jeanne-Claude’s vision. The resulting film was on view at the Perez Art Museum Miami from Oct. 4 2018 - Feb. 18 2019. In January 2019, the film was aired on PBS as a special presentation. Remembering Surrounded Islands received a 2019 EMMY award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Suncoast chapter.