Coral Gables is set to welcome a striking new public artwork that reimagines intimacy, conversation, and community in a uniquely sculptural form. On Sunday, June 1, acclaimed artist Janine Antoni will unveil her latest public work, Whispering Through a Stone, at a special dedication event that begins with a film screening and artist talk at Coral Gables Art Cinema and concludes with a ceremonial reveal on Miracle Mile.
The unveiling represents not only a significant moment for public art in the city, but also a broader cultural investment in dialogue—both literal and metaphorical. Antoni’s sculpture, which features two smooth seats carved into a single, raw boulder with a small aperture between them, draws from the 19th-century concept of a “conversation chair.” In her hands, the historical reference is transformed into a meditative and modern symbol of quiet connection.
“This piece is about closeness and separation,” Antoni said in her artist statement. “It asks us to listen differently—not just to each other, but to the space between us.”
The event begins at 4 p.m. at the Coral Gables Art Cinema (260 Aragon Ave.) with a screening of here-ing, a short film that delves into Antoni’s creative process and the conceptual foundation of Whispering Through a Stone. Following the screening, the artist will participate in a discussion about the work’s genesis, its sculptural challenges, and its role in the evolving story of Coral Gables as a site for public dialogue and aesthetic innovation.
From the cinema, attendees will walk to the sculpture site at 332 Miracle Mile, where the official dedication will take place at 6:30 p.m. The location is deliberate—nestled in one of the city’s most trafficked thoroughfares, Whispering Through a Stone invites passersby to pause, sit, and speak. It is designed as a participatory installation rather than a passive object, encouraging residents and visitors alike to engage not just with the artwork, but with each other.
The sculpture is carved from a single boulder sourced by Antoni and realized in partnership with Quarra Stone Company and Urban Art Projects. Its rough exterior preserves the natural integrity of the stone, while the dual seats suggest softness, intimacy, and intention. The narrow hole that connects the two seats is both literal conduit and poetic gesture—amplifying whispers, shared secrets, or perhaps simply shared silence.
“Janine Antoni’s work often centers the body and its relationship to space and material,” said a representative from the City of Coral Gables’ Cultural Development office. “With Whispering Through a Stone, she brings that focus into the public realm, offering a place where art is not just observed, but inhabited.”
The sculpture is commissioned by the City of Coral Gables as part of its ongoing public art program and reflects the city’s broader efforts to activate public spaces with works that inspire reflection and connection. In a moment when cities across the country are rethinking how public art can foster civic engagement, Antoni’s piece offers a thoughtful, tactile intervention that privileges human connection over spectacle.
While Antoni is internationally known for her sculptural, performative, and conceptual works—many of which explore themes of memory, labor, and gender—Whispering Through a Stone marks one of her most accessible public installations. Its open-ended invitation to sit and speak speaks volumes in today’s fragmented social climate.
The artist also acknowledged the support of Luhring Augustine Gallery and the City of Coral Gables in bringing the project to life. The city’s emphasis on commissioning site-specific and high-caliber public works has elevated Coral Gables as a leading destination for cultural tourism and artistic innovation in South Florida.
Whispering Through a Stone joins other recent arts initiatives, including site-specific installations, temporary exhibitions, and performance-based programming that seeks to blur the line between art space and civic space.
Attendees are encouraged to RSVP through the Coral Gables Art Cinema or city arts calendar. The event is free and open to the public.
