Post V-day coverage

I haven't ever been big into Valentines Day. Growing up, my family never really put much stock into it. We aren't some crazy weird religion that doesn't celebrate holidays or birthdays, but my mom is from Europe and I guess it's not celebrated there.

But this v-day was nice. Literally. This past weekend was beautiful, nice and warm and sunny. We spent the day walking the boardwalk (I will take full advantage of it until they tear it down.) In our walk we saw lots of families out enjoying the day and a wedding on the beach (cheesy as hell, but the bridesmaid dresses were pretty.)

The evening was beautiful too, a cool 70, perfect for walking around. We hit up Wynwood (but no music this time) and the crawl was dead, which I prefer because it's not flocked with underagers trying to score free beer. Several galleries closed, including FiFi, but I liked alot of what I saw out there.

At Praxis, Francisco Uribe was displayed, which I loved, because he is really interesting in his use of materials. He is the guy who did the Animal Farm exhibit during Basal. This time he used shoestrings on traditional canvas, making the pieces more 3D. Check it out:



and from an angle:


At Diet, I found these, which my inner ninja-nerd loved:



Across from Diet, there is a very Jackson Pollock-inspired gallery, which sometimes I like and sometimes I don't. The following is one of those that I can't decide on. It's strange, kind of like those out-there red-carpet outfits on A-list celebrities trying to stand out:


Pan American had alot of their "optical illusion" style pieces up, but I didn't get a good photo, so I didn't post it. This gallery is becoming one of my favorites because they have a good mix of artists, they change it up and they always have something that makes you stop and observe, like this:

They actually shot the piece after it was put behind glass.

ISM also had new stuff up. Once again, I like their mix of artists (admittedly, when they have the roadkill stuff up, it sort of creeps me out and that hasn't been displayed for awhile)
I like what they did this time:

A close-up:

I loved this:



Then of course, as we were walking around, I caught some scenes from around Wynwood. As I was taking these pics, I realized that often I walk away from Wynwood with just as many pictures from the streets as I do from the galleries, and honestly, that has just as much draw for me, because you see art blooming in this neighborhood full of graffiti. I like that it sort of rubs out the pretension that clings to these things.




All in all, it was a good night. We finished up by heading to Transit to meet up with El Capitan and El Pedrino to catch a few drinks and jam out to the Spam Allstars. And again, for Transit on a Saturday night with a band like Spam, it wasn't too packed. I don't know if it's the economy or people were just busy getting romantical (yes I am aware that's not a word) with their significant others, but I appreciate being able to do things like dance, walk around and breathe when I am out listening to music.

Post-Basel coverage

As you may know from El Capitan's post, we went wandering Wynwood (impressed by my alliteration there?) for Art Basel. And by wandering, I mean El Capitan and El Padrino dragged me off El Hombre's Peavy amp at ISM gallery.

I'm glad I went, because there were many new openings that I loved, most of which were on side streets.

Of course there was ISM. This is a family-managed gallery that has several different artists on display. The main display was the father's work, pictured below:

The boats are made from copies of the papers the US Coast Guard distributed during the Mariel Boat Lift in Miami.

I really liked these displays for a number of reasons. First, I love the contrast of the red against the white walls. It commands your attention. I also like that these are very symbolic of what many people experienced, coming to this country, without being overly political. It, to me, appeals more to the emotions.

The only other gallery where I took pictures was Animal Farm, mainly because my camera battery died. This gallery was like arts and crafts on steroids. It was absolutely awesome. I appreciate artists that have fun with what they do, and the artist definitely had a blast. The gallery was complete with hay, which made it seem more realistic, both in the crunch under foot, and the smell of it in the air.






Every part of each piece was made from things one would find around the house, pencils, shoes, golf balls, corks, etc. it was really fun to see the whole display, and then get close to each thing and see how it was constructed. I look forward to seeing more from this place, so hopefully the artist was local.

And what would one of my art entries be without pictures of street art? I know you've been waiting for it:

As Emeril would say... Bam! (I dunno, it's the medicine)

Art around town

Yes, this weekend was another Wynwood walk, and as usual we went out. But I am noticing a disturbing trend, as is El Capitan. This is getting to be known as the free booze walk, and I don't much care for that.

Regardless, I snapped pics and vid. There was definitely alot of political commentary, not surprisingly.




street art.... literally. El Hombre seems to think the Spanish references Santeria, but wasn't sure.


Locust Gallery - This had a video along with it, with some guy dressed in white, rolling around in the car.


Again, Locust Gallery


And once again, Locust Gallery. This gallery is interesting because it is so markedly different than the last time we were there. Last time it was a weird, vintage freakshow fair, and the whole gallery was a maze. Pretty interesting.


The David Castilla Gallery (that name is probably off.) This gallery is usually packed because they have a liquor sponsor and music in the back, but usually has some interesting stuff inside.


The UM gallery. The whole wall was pictures. And interestingly, we saw several subjects that have popped up in the blog. Surely coincidence, but El Capitan, El Pedrino and I all noticed.


Random car, check out the horns!

And the back hood.


Typical Wynwooders.


Some random gallery I have never visited, but had a very cool space.

Their sign

And ultimately, what is the best way to get people into your gallery and emotionally connected? Free beer, music or art? Try adding something else into the mix:


And let's not forget one of my new favorite walls, the one at Vagabond:


And last but not least, this time there were capoeirstas in the street. I caught video and El Capitan will probably post pics soon:

Art about town

This was a weekend for photos, so it will be broken up into three or four posts so as not to overwhelm.

Between work and exploring the Upper East Side farmers markets, I spotted many cool frescos, buildings and signs.


I used to work two blocks from this corner and have never seen it before, but judging by the brightness of the paint, it must be relatively new. This is the corner of SE 2nd Ave and SE 2nd St. The modern paint job creates an interesting contrast to the vintage buildings you find in downtown, like the courthouse and like this building:

This building is one of many in downtown Miami- one of my favorite parts of the city. The area is full of random frescos, vintage buildings and local shops. It's like stepping back in time, or into Latin America with a graffiti artist by your side. It just seems like there's more soul to the area, as cheesy as that may sound.

Then, by the Arsht Center you find the bridge painted like this:


If you continue north on US 1, you will cross under this bridge:


and see Art by God (which is creepy, judging by the things they lent the Chelsea Gallery in Wynwood that night.)


And this giant mural on your left, which caused quite a stir when the artist put it up (according to NPR):





This painting sparked the debate over what is public art and what is graffiti. I argue that when one goes to Italy, you see frescos on almost every building. Sure they are often not in the urban art style, but may be, or may have been just as controversial. Even if you don't agree what the art portrays, one must value it for garnering a reaction, starting (hopefully meaningful) conversations and build more of a cultural backbone within Miami.