February Wynwood Artwalk
Going with my recent "duh" moment ("Miami likes art... a lot!), is there nothing better than Wynwood District's monthly open gallery artwalks? Every second Saturyday, the galleries welcome all visitors, letting a constant stream of loafers and wine moochers into their spaces, welcomely allowing us to marvel at their collections.
Thank god they don't go by the old Dime Store adage, "what do you think this is a museum?"
I try to periodically make it out to Wynwood's Artwalk, marvelling at the evolution and changes of the area. Most galleries have absolutely no problem with me taking pictures to spread the word of what they're trying to accomplish; well, all except one, who will remain nameless and the few pictures I was able to take, I'm not posting. Take that oppressive store policy!
Harold Golen Gallery
I am putting up these pictures first because Harold Golen Gallery is my absolutely favorite gallery in the Wynwood Art District. About 5 years ago, I bought an art book called Pop Surrealism, which was one of my biggest revelations into art; that it isn't just abstract or religious paintings.
Through that book I was introduced into the works of Mark Ryden, Jeff Soto, Shag, and more.
Shag is particularly important in relation to Harold Golen's current exhibition, Way Out Hi-Fi "Beats", the art by Derek Yaniger, who uses the same style of simple, 2-dimensional patterns, that focus on the visual aspects of Hipster-ism (that's right people, it's an art movement now).
Also, notice in the pictures that a band was playing outside, always a REVMiami favorite, and the last two pictures of Harold's office, which has an impressive collection of other Pop Surrealistic art pieces.
Harold Golen Gallery's website (www.haroldgolengallery.com)
Jeff Larson - Men In Living Rooms at University of Miami Project Space in the Wynwood Art District
Consistently, one of REV's most popular search results is for Jeff Larson's Men in Living Rooms photo series. Last time I stopped by UM's Project Space, Larson's photos were only a small part of the gallery, and in less than a year has grown to completely envelop the entire space.
The shock of these photos is said enough through the photos themselves. The concept of the collection is taking pictures of naked men in their living rooms. If that wasn't enough, most of these men are dressed in BDSM clothes or have pierced penises.
I love when art challenges social expectations, especially when it comes to one of the last holdouts of social repression and hatred in this country - i.e. the country's treatment of homosexuality. Not to get political (which I definitely try to keep off REV), but how could any one with a conscience rationalize deny equal rights to anyone anymore? Isn't this the 21st century?
"UM Presents" website (www6.miami.edu/umpresents/visual_arts.html)
Miami Poetry Collective - Poetry Depot
Poetry? In the middle of the street? Yes!
I do REVMiami because I am a writer. One of the things that I miss the about being in college at Florida State University was it's underground literary culture. Warehouse Cafe, Black Dog Cafe, Aristotle Cafe (none of which may even exist anymore), and several other locations, in a relatively small city, were dedicated to poetry and literary events. Every single weekend there was always a poet or writer to see.
While I do give credit to Books & Books and the efforts they take to highlight the literary culture of Miami, I'll hug the next person that can tell me where there is a true coffee house in Miami.
Putting Poetry in the middle of the street is a huge step to integrating literature into Miami culture. Keep it up guys!
Miami Poetry Collective's website (miamipoetrycollective.com)
Funkemtions
As much as I support the arts, I would like to think that I am a much larger supporter of the support groups of the arts. While artists get the vast majority of the glory, most artists couldn't do what they do if it weren't for the people who are dedicated to the arts, i.e. gallery owners, sound engineers, artist agents, and, of course, online music and art e-zines.
Talk about opening a water stand in the middle of a desert. Funkemotions isn't an art gallery but an art retail store. They have a great collection of books, fashion, and popular art.
More than what they are, is where they are. I curiously asked if they got any foot traffic except during Artwalk and I was told, "not really." But, thanks to their online store, plus a cheap and large warehouse space, they're getting it done.
Of course, I was told they'd love if Wynwood could get a more regular crowd to fully run their store like a true retail establishment. With the way that Wynwood has evolved in less than 5 years, I think the area is well on it's way to fulfilling Funkemotions wishes.
Funkemotion's website (www.funkemotions.com/catalog/index.php)
Miscellaneous Pictures
This is where my organization skills end. Just a couple of things I want to point out:
From Wikipeida: "Hi-Risers are a type of highly customized automobile, typically an inexpensive American-built sedan modified by significantly increasing the ground clearance and adding large-diameter wheels with low-profile tires. Depending on the model and build year, autos customized in this manner can be labeled "donk," "box," or "bubble." " - I completely associate these cars with Miami, even though it is a "southern" thing. Whenever I see one, I watch it slowly roll down the street in awe. I love em. Seeing one in the middle of Wynwood is like a rolling piece of cultural expression: ghetto in the middle of an art district in the middle of the ghetto.
Infront of Artformz Alternative gallery, two main Artwalk streets intersect and at one corner was the Poetry Depot and on the other was a freeform Jazz, spoken word band. Love it.
There is a door outside of Locust Art Gallery that has a very abstract clearance space. Only in a gallery could something so functional be unique.
Plus a whole lot more art.
Rosy Baeza's Artwalk Photojournal
I'm always excited when bringing a new contributor onto REVMiami. Rosy is a mutual friend, who is also a young, aspiring photographer. After Artwalk, Rosy posted pictures on her Facebook page and I asked if I could post them and she happily agreed! Rosy has a great eye for colors, angles, and especially her use of dark light (how's that for a contradictory art term?). Hopefully she'll be contributing a lot more, so keep an eye out for her pictures.
If You Enjoyed This Post, You May Also Like:
- REVMiami's Coverage of Art Basel
- Photo Journal: Lucky You 3 at the BAC 11 November 12
- Captain's Blog: Art Walk - January 8
- Ric's adventures in Art Basel - Day 2: Art Basel on Miami Beach (Day) & Wynwood Art District (Night)
- Photo Journal : December 4- Art Basel Day 5
NOTE FOR COMMENTS: Do not flame or leave obnoxious comments, THEY WILL NOT BE APPROVED. Constructive criticism should always be welcomed by any artist, but don't be a d-bag, show some class. Thanks. - REVMiami Staff
