Your 4th #ArtRoute through Miami

#6 Stops through Miami’s art.

Stop #1: Brickell

The only way to really know a neighborhood is to walk around it; this is when you truly capture the essence of the place. Brickell is not only about it’s shops and business offices, it is also filled with impressive architecture, which you can’t truly enjoy if you are stuck in traffic the entire time. I started my route at the beginning of Brickell Avenue, where “Echo” Building is. This curvaceous tower, designed by Carlos Ott, perfectly represents the elegant, metropolitan neighbourhood. It’s innovative shape, allows every angle to have a completely different perspective. But what truly makes this development stand out among the rest is its material selection. Just in the middle of the building, a wood wall makes a separation between the glass windows, giving it a warmth touch to the design. Walking down Brickell Avenue, you will find other impressive skylines such as the Conrad and Icon Brickell.

Stop #2: Colony Theater

- 1040 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL.

Theater is art, specifically dramatic arts, so they must certainly be a part of my routes. I’ve been always interested in theater performances, however it wasn't until I received an invitation to a Colony Theatre’s play that I knew how much I enjoyed them. Theater allows you to disconnect from the world for at least 90 minutes, but at the same time in those 90 minutes you are absorbing knowledge without even knowing it. The play I was invited to is “One Night in Miami”, the debut play written by Kemp Powers. It is a fictional account of a real night, 25 February 1964. It pinpoints a pivotal moment in the lives of four; still nascent, black American icons whose potential, thoughts and actions play out in the 90-minute, one-act play. The scenario presents an audacious challenge - to cast 22 year old, newly crowned world-boxing champion Cassius Clay as he transforms into Muhammad Ali, controversial Nation of Islam leader/mentor Malcolm X, influential singer-songwriter and record producer Sam Cooke and star NFL footballer Jim Brown. The men, friends in real life, celebrate Clay's surprise title win over Sonny Liston in a Miami hotel room, watched over by Nation of Islam security. This show will be opened until November 18th, 2018.

If you have the privilege to attend to one of these shows, you will be also be blown away by the place's architecture. Colony Theatre was first opened in 1935 as a Paramount Pictures movie house. Recently, the building underwent a three-year $6.5 million renovation to restore its original Art Deco grandeur and update its stage and technical equipment. It is truly a hidden gem in Lincoln Road.

Stop #3: Olympia Theater

- 174 E Flagler St, Miami, FL (Downtown).

After my experience at Colony Theatre, I decided I had to discover other theatres in Miami. After my art route through Downtown, I became especially interested in Olympia Theatre, so I looked up upcoming plays I could go to. I wasn’t expecting to find such a beautiful and enormous place in a corner of Downtown. It was built in 1926 and designed by John Eberson in his famed atmospheric style. This place truly seems as if it was untouched by time. As soon as I walked inside and admired the detailed architecture, I knew it had to be an incredible night.

About the show:

I went to Rupi Kaur America tour, not knowing what to expect at all, I had never been to a poetry show before. My friend and I bought last minute tickets and hoped for the best, but wondering if we would actually enjoy watching someone read poetry. I can honestly tell you; it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I don’t even know how to describe the experience I lived and felt at this poetry show. My words would never do justice to what Rupi Kaur did on stage. I got Goosebumps, I cried, I laughed. I felt love, sadness, fear, and happiness...The flow in her words and the vibes she transmitted through them were something I had never felt before. Rupi is more than amazing. She will inspire you as soon as she starts talking. If you have the chance to go to one of her shows, please don’t doubt it for a second!

Tip: After your show, there are many bars you could go to just across the theatre!

Stop #4: Oliver Cole Gallery

- 301 NW 28th St, Miami, FL (Wynwood).

Wynwood is filled with incredible art galleries, and each of them has its own, unique style. Oliver Cole is a Contemporary Gallery that features modern, street, and pop art. This gallery immediately calls your attention before walking in; its colorful and creative mural is a work of art. I was particularly impressed by the artwork of Nicolas Castello and Jusitn Lyons, it reminded me of Basquiat’s style.

Stop #5: The Margulies Warehouse Collection

- 591 NW 27th St, Miami, FL (Wynwood).

Margulies Collection consists of contemporary & vintage photography, video & sculpture displayed in a huge converted-warehouse space. You will never expect to find such remarkable art installations in that Wynwood’s hidden corner, so prepare to be amazed as soon as you walk in. Up to now, I’ve visited a great deal of gallery, so I can conclude installations are my favorite kind of exhibitions. They allow the spectator to interact with the work, making you have a more complete experience. From this gallery I was impressed by Kishio Suga and Cate Giordano works of art.

Stop #6: Frost Science Museum – Da Vinci Exhibition

- 1101 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL

My last art route stop was last Sunday at Frost Science Museum. What brought me to this Science Museum was their new exhibition: Leonardo Da Vinci’s inventions.

Since a while now, I’ve been thinking about whether or not to include Frost Science Museum in my art route, but with the new Da Vinci’s exhibition I was convinced I had to visit it. However, after walking for several hours inside the museum I was convinced a science museum like this one had to be part of my route even if it didn’t have a Da Vinci exhibition. After all, science is also art. They are actually the same thing, they are both human attempts to understand and describe the world around us. The subjects and methods have different traditions, but the motivations and goals are the same. As an art-lover I looked at this museum with a different point of view. Besides from admiring the animal life, I was also admiring the design of the aquarium, the way the different fish’s colors contrasted with the deep blue water, floors, and ceilings. I loved the simple materials and colors used in the outside walls; it gave it a fresh- welcoming look. Everything about this science museum was a masterpiece. It’s an architectural gem!

About Da Vinci – Inventions: It is a series of interactive, life-size machines crafted from the codices of Leonardo Da Vinci that brings to life his work as an inventor, artist, scientist and engineer. This exhibition was created with the assistance of the Museo Leonardo da Vinci (Rome, Italy) and a number of experts in Italy and France. The exhibition features 16 compelling themed areas of da Vinci’s work, offering you an unmatched look inside the mind of a man who laid the groundwork for some of modern society’s most impactful inventions. I highly recommend you to come; it’s so worth it. Inventions will be on view from June 2018 until January 13, 2019 on levels 2 and 3 in the museum’s West Wing.

Tip: After you are done with the museum, go to the Museum's park to relax and enjoy the view... It's beautiful.

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