miami design district's palm trees get dressed up in tinsel during art week

243 years after the city of miami experienced its first (unexpected) snowfall, a team of designers has re-imagined the phenomenon that locals had described as ‘extraordinary white rain’. on the occasion of miami art week, trees planted throughout the burgeoning design district were wrapped in luminous silver tinsel, their trunks cloaked in glistening coats. the use of tinsel recalls the archetypal aesthetic of winter, and brings a german decorating tradition to an american beach town.

the installation took shape on the occasion of miami art week
image by andre herrero

designed by LA and NY-based studio charlap hyman & herrero, and produced and installed by creative design firm ALT BLD, ‘white rain’ sees the miami design district transform into a dazzling disco ball. perky palms become oversized reflective towers, drawing from the synthetic palette of 1970s miami. the silver tinsel simultaneously recalls the sincerity of holiday memories, and references the manic ecstasy of disco fever. the installation highlights the division between the natural and the man-made, and suggests that holiday decorations — in miami at least — are best accompanied by a sense of humor.

trees planted throughout the burgeoning design district were wrapped in luminous silver tinsel
image © designboom

trunks are cloaked in glistening coats
image by andre herrero

the use of tinsel recalls the archetypal aesthetic of winter
image by andre herrero

the installation brings a german decorating tradition to an american beach town
image by andre herrero

‘white rain’ sees the miami design district transform into a dazzling disco ball
image © designboom

perky palms become oversized reflective towers
image © designboom

references draw from the synthetic palette of 1970s miami
image © designboom

the silver tinsel recalls the sincerity of holiday memories
image by andre herrero

holiday decorations — in miami at least — are best accompanied by a sense of humor
image by andre herrero