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In Conversation with Elias and Damarys

July 3, 2025

In Conversation with Elias and Damarys is a look into important topics around photography like: the nature of truth, photographic responsibilities, social media culture, and history. Join us as Elias, Damarys, and Armando share their thoughts and experiences as photographers in South Florida.

This series accompanies the museum’s educational offerings, focusing not on the art on the walls but on the voices of community members and the issues art provokes—particularly in the context of Miami and South Florida. This episode is inspired by the exhibition Language and Image, which features more than 100 photographic works from PAMM’s permanent collection.

As Rishmawi and Alvarez share their journeys, photography unfolds as something greater than images: a language through which resistance is voiced, belonging is sought, and identity is defined.

Elias Jesus Rischmawi

Elias Jesus Rischmawi (they/them) is a Palestinian non-binary artist whose works encompasses the preservation and education of family history through a variety of mediums including photography, film and culinary arts.

Damarys Alvarez

Damarys Alvarez (she/her) Miami Cuban artist who focuses on capturing themes of identity, Diaspora and the subcultures in nightlife including digital, video and film photography. It’s important to create community, and safe spaces in our venues and events. A side focus is to help promote HexedMiami a page that focuses on South Florida’s Goth scene, I feel as one in the scene it’s important to share to the younger and older generation the importance of expression and taking pride into our cultures, in harmony uniting all backgrounds in shared spaces. We all have something unique and collaboration is important to help grow a larger scene. Advocating spaces for all the alternatives, and keeping everyone comfortable while we celebrate being ourselves in their skin we are in.

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Enjoy the full transcript of “In Conversation with Elias and Damarys.”

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Authors
Armando Zamora Armando Zamora is PAMM’s Digital and Interpretive Content Coordinator.
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