British artist and designer Es Devlin, known for stage designs for U2 and Kendrick Lamar, has created a 50-foot-tall revolving library titled 'The Library of Us' for the 10th anniversary of the Faena hotel and cultural complex in Miami Beach. The installation, presented during Art Basel Miami Beach, contains 2,500 books that have influenced Devlin, with visitors able to sit on revolving stools and read. Phrases from 250 books will appear on an LED screen accompanied by Devlin's voice. After the installation closes on December 9, all books will be donated to Miami organizations including public libraries and schools.
The installation matters because it transforms a private art fair spectacle into a public, participatory experience that addresses timely issues of literacy and book access, particularly in the context of Florida's recent book bans. By donating the books to local institutions, Devlin extends the artwork's impact beyond the event, creating a lasting community benefit. The piece also continues Devlin's exploration of collective reading spaces, following her earlier 'Library of Light' commission for Milan's Salone di Mobile.