Children can cool off and play in a public fountain,
climb the courtyard tree, or smell the sweet fragrance
of a Florida orange. Using the illusionary painting
style, arched entrances open into a world of Moorish
architecture with a Southern Florida slant. The colorful
approach to this mural project is not unlike the rest
of the building's Moroccan theme -- not to mention the
Opa Locka region.
Visitors to the Children & Families agency waiting
for their appointment can book passage to a village
square in a distant place. As the viewer wanders onto
the balcony to peer over to a vista they are invited
to explore the subtle ornamentation and nuances of the
Moorish style and enjoy views of the palace.
As the visitor continues to meander through the piece,
they will also visually stumble upon what appears to
be just someone else hanging around on the balcony --
only to realize later that these convincing Moroccan
family figures are painted illusions. Looking closer
visitors will find other more hidden elements such as
the family's father in the distant orange grove or the
little mouse in the rainspout in Gates of Opa Locka
II.
Model for this baby required nation-wide baby-hunt.
