Shhh! ‘The Silence Project' Unifies Coral Gables with Black and White Portraits

Black and white portraits fill several vacant storefronts along Miracle Mile in Coral Gables.

The faces behind the images are different, but their gesture is the same. Each person photographed is brandishing the universally recognized symbol for silence in this art exhibition titled the Silence Project.

Photographer Flor Mayoral brought the Silence Project to Coral Gables in June, however, she came up with the idea in 2007 after a visit to Guatemala. Mayoral is an avid traveler and since 2007 she's been asking people around the world if she can take their portraits doing the silence gesture.

"It's a way of unifying every person that I see. It's a gesture that everyone understands. It's inviting people to sort of reflect and have a moment of reflection," said Mayoral.

The Silence Project features Coral Gables residents, leaders, and anyone who makes up the fabric of the community.

"Everyone occupies the same space. It doesnt matter who they are if they are old, young, rich, or poor. It doesn't matter what religion. I basically have them join in a conversation that is sort of a communion of ideas but without saying anything," said Mayoral.

The project is a partnership between the Business Improvement District of Coral Gables, City of Coral Gables, Conde Contemporary and the Coral Gables Community Foundation.

The Silence Project will be displayed on Miracle Mile until November.

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