Mokibaby Returns To III Points With Her Boldest Project Yet

When music festival-goers have to choose between seeing the headliners or spending time with the festival's art and artists, the decision is often obvious. At its best, an artist's hard work is quickly recognized as he or she spends time between sets. At worst, it's just a shortcut to the next step.

For Mukibibi (aka Veronica Jessa), an artist from Miami and Los Angeles, art isn't about success; Art passes through you. This year you will be able to discover "Mokiworld" - a collection of tools and fabrics - at Point III.

"People can expect a whole new world, new facilities and a new side of III Points that we haven't seen before," Jessa told New Times when we met with New Times at the Floyd Lounge on 11th Street in downtown Miami. He has been involved with the music festival in one capacity or another since its inception in 2013, first as co-producer and later as marketing director before becoming a full-fledged artist under the name Mokibaby.

"I'm really excited to introduce Mokiworld this year. It's the 10th anniversary of III Points, and I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd have my own world by the 10th year. I'm so excited. Now I have access to Despacio as part of Mokiworld - and being part of my world means something to me, because Despacio is my temple."

Gessa's first art installation was created at III Points in 2014, where analog televisions filled with static were placed on empty columns.

"When I was hired by a creative agency in 2014, they told me I couldn't produce because that's what they do," he adds. "I asked [III Points] co-founder David Sinopoli what I could do for the festival because I've always wanted to help, and he said, 'Why don't you do art?' What do you want to see?' He said. So I designed a vintage analog TV for Skate Space. Kaytranada and Cashmere Cat played there.
However, until 2016, he will fully devote himself to work on art installations.

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It was the year of Zika and the hurricane. It was the worst year and I did six installations that year while I was the marketing director. "It was one of the hardest things I've ever done," he adds. “After that year, all I wanted to do was art, and then I knew I would do anything. This was the third time I decided to change direction again, and it allows me to grow and develop. Grow up." And think. Madder."

III Points attendees will be able to interact directly with Hesa's work on the festival's signature school bus and limousine. This year, the limousine, sponsored by adult entertainment company Vixen Media Group, honors her father, who works as a personal chauffeur. "I always remember my dad picking me up in white limousines, and it was crazy," she recalls. "It is an unforgettable memory for me and I wanted to convey the exciting feelings I felt when I was driving in a beautiful classic white limousine."

The bus will also return this year with a pop-up installation showcasing Hugo and Bella Burch's capsule collection created in collaboration with the singer and internet personality.

Outside of the Wynwood Festival, Gessa's installations have been featured at Coachella and A Club Called Rhonda, and have been designed for clients such as MTV, Maison Margiela and Bad Bunny. Regardless of where the installations appear, Mokibaby's work requires interaction.

"I always design with my inner child in mind. I like to create things that you can feel and touch, like school buses and limousines," Jessa explains. "These are real old cars and you feel like you're in another world where you can interact with the props."
He can be found at Floyd for the monthly My Friend Misty concert series, where he serves as creative director. Jessa uses all angles to paint Misty's fantasy house. "It's dinner tonight. It feels like you just walked in and Misty's missing," she adds. Dreamy red velvet covers the room. Movies are shown on small TVs and piercing arrows are displayed on neon signs. The walls are decorated with paintings, and the table is set with gold plates and plates of macaroons Chocolate covered strawberries and a whole "smoked" cake with frosting.

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“I'm trying to introduce Misty to people in different spaces. We've prepared her room, the kissing room that's closest, and now it's time for her dinner,” she explains of the installation in September. “Dinner has a good sense of her personality, and I like to show different movies to match the theme of each party. I want to feel like she just left the room. Her essence is still there.'

With so much going on at Points III this year, there's a good chance you'll never come across Hesa's work – and it's not cutting edge. His work is not intended to disrupt the action on stage.

"The festival is always like a children's festival. We always approach it with a young, fun spirit. I think we've been great artists and music fans, so we're trying to create something really interesting...” ... to send a message of love to the fans and artists we write about.

During the 2023 festival, he will also launch a line of smoking accessories called Smokibaby.

Back at Floyd's house, Jessa is making the final adjustments, even though the room is dimly lit and she's wearing sunglasses. If the parts are curved, it's on purpose, they can't be too linear.

"Time is a word and a theme I've always thought about and created in my life," he said as music blared from speakers onto the dance floor. "You can't stop time, but time is not wasted. Time has moved to a better place through our experiences and lives. It feels like it is flying by, but I am very happy with how time has flown and been used and made the most of it" .