Chameleon Brings Immersive Art, Music, and Technology to West Kendall
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
South Florida Center for Percussive Arts (SFCPA) proudly presented Chameleon, a two-day immersive music and technology experience on January 30 and 31, 2026 that welcomed more than 400 community members to West Kendall. The event transformed the SFCPA campus into a multi-sensory environment where live percussion, cutting-edge technology, and interactive art installations created a powerful shared experience for audiences of all ages.
Created by MF Dynamics with support from MAD Arts and funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Chameleon explored identity, transformation, and connection through rhythm, movement, and data-driven visuals. This free, family-friendly experience reflected SFCPA’s commitment to making innovative arts programming accessible to the community and expanding opportunities for meaningful artistic engagement in Miami-Dade County.
Each evening began outdoors, where the SFCPA grounds were transformed into a stage and large-scale video canvas. Audiences witnessed the blending of projection and performance as live drumming activated immersive visuals across the space.
The experience continued indoors, where attendees entered a 360-degree performance environment. Using advanced technologies, performers’ pulse, movement, and brainwave data were translated into dynamic visual and sonic compositions, revealing the deep connection between body, sound, and environment. Performances featured internationally recognized composer, percussionist, and new media artist Maria Finkelmeier, Boston-based hybrid artist Greg Jukes, and over 50 student performers from South Florida Center for Percussive Arts. Together, they created an experience that bridged generations, disciplines, and communities through shared rhythm and motion.
Beyond the performances, Chameleon invited audiences to explore, create, and connect through a variety of interactive artistic experiences. These additional activations expanded the event beyond a traditional performance, encouraging hands-on participation and discovery for guests of all ages.
Other Electricities by Emilie Milgrim, invited participants to “play” the SFCPA Beat Bus as a giant musical instrument. Using contact microphones and real-time audio processing, guests explored the possibilities of sound through touch and vibration. Participants also had the opportunity to build and take home their own contact microphone, extending the experience beyond the event and fostering continued creative exploration.
MyFi Studio Electronic Music + Video Lab opened its creative process to the public, allowing visitors to experiment with drum machines, samplers, synthesizers, and video glitch systems in real time. This activation introduced many young people and families to electronic music and digital art for the first time, demonstrating how technology can be an accessible and powerful tool for creative expression.
Mystical Primitive Movement by Mystix, was an immersive visual installation that explored movement, identity, and ritual through live projection, fractal visuals, and real-time camera interaction. Inspired by African, Caribbean, and Afro-diasporic traditions, the work created a living visual environment that invited participants to reflect on their presence, movement, and connection within the space.
We are incredibly proud of this project. Chameleon brought together families, artists, students, and community members who may not otherwise have access to immersive and technology-driven arts experiences. The event provided a space for exploration, creativity, and connection in a part of Miami-Dade County that continues to benefit from increased cultural investment.
Throughout the weekend, guests engaged with:
Interactive artist activations and installations
Hands-on music and technology experiences
Performances featuring SFCPA students alongside professional artists
Opportunities to connect with local creators and community partners
The event also elevated local artists, strengthened partnerships, and inspired young people to see new possibilities in music, technology, and the creative industries.
SFCPA extends its deepest gratitude to Maria Finkelmeier and the MF Dynamics team, MAD Arts, Legacy Events & Productions, Greg Jukes, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, DFER Design, Other Electricities, MyFi Studio, Mystix, our local vendors and community partners, our students, families, volunteers, and a very special thank you to every individual who attended and supported the event.
This project would not have been possible without the collective effort and belief in the power of the arts to bring people together.
Learn more about Knight New Work grantees: https://knightfoundation.org/challenges/2024-knight-new-work-miami/
Learn more about Maria Finkelmeier: https://www.mfdynamics.com
Learn more about Chameleon: https://chameleonexperience.com/
