Composing oceanic olfactory landscapes is a cornerstone of artist Chaveli Sifre’s practice. For the 2024 iteration of Bwa Kayiman—Tout Moun se Moun, Sifre transforms the Miriam Makeba auditorium, a space designated for active listening, into one conducive to communal and personal rest, contemplation, and reimagination. Rest & Riot (Safe Passage—Rite of Passage—Mona Passage) recreates a gentle sea-breeze, proposing an immersive moment to ruminate sensorially on oceans as contextual and contested spaces, isolating and uniting people around the world. 

For any islander, the ocean is central to identity: a gathering place, a resting place, a site for meals, offerings, celebrations, healing, and mourning. The installation honours oceans as points of contact and portals to shared histories. ‘Safe Passage’ and ‘Rite of Passage’ assure protection or guidance during journeys, times of conflict, and significant life transitions. The ‘Mona Passage’ refers to the closest distance between Puerto Rico and Haiti, a strategic historical route for trade, navigation, and migration. Notorious for its strong currents and rough seas, the strait poses considerable risks for those crossing it. Hinting to such treacherous journeys underscores the complex socio-economic ties and humanitarian emergencies linking the two nations.

In a tropical climate where heat is relentless, and in the face of frequent power outages and economic challenges, the standing fan is more than just a household appliance; it is a ubiquitous cultural icon. The abanico, as it is called in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, is a faithful companion of naps, a staple presence in any public institution, and a mechanical spell against mosquitoes and dengue. With the help of abanicos, organized in the shape of a wave or a serpent, inside an area coloured by different shades of marine light, Sifre’s olfactory installation helps separate the sitting area from the rest of the auditorium, reminding visitors of the feeling of being on an island together.