We are onto our next viewing and reporting experience from Miami at the Art Basel Miami Beach – a sprawling art fair that occupies most of the Miami Beach Convention Center. In case you missed the first installment, take a look here to get prepared for my new sights and observations. I’m looking for New Orleans in South Beach, Miami and on this second day I’m finding that I’m surrounded with even more New Orleans artists than the day before.
To give a sense of space, Miami Project has moved from its former location in Wynwood to the Deauville Beach Resort at 69th and Collins in North Beach. The show sprawls throughout the ballrooms, lobby, and on to the pool terrace at this classic Miami hotel. The pool and spa could not distract from the art that was taking over.
There’s lots of fantastic artwork from galleries from around the globe, including the Julia Street located, Jonathan Ferrara Gallery. The Ferrara booth features quite a few New Orleans based artists. Monica Zeringue has one of her amazingly detailed self-portraits surrounded by a grouping of pieces from her series on phases of the moon. Gina Phillips ( a NolaVie “Artist in Their Own Words” interviewee) is showing one her multi-part, needle work installations. Other New Orleans based artists on display include Bonnie Maygarden, Skylar Fein, and Katrina Andry.
Then, we move up to the 17th floor and into the gutted penthouse suites. Traces of elaborate luxuries provide the space for the installation “Guns in the Hands of Artists” from the Jonathan Ferrara Gallery. The “Guns in the Hands of Artists” show was installed at the Julia Street gallery for Prospect.3 and has been traveling to locations throughout the country since. It fits perfectly into this raw, strange space while spotlighting New Orleans based artists, including: Luis Cruz Azaceta, Sidonie Villere, Skylar Fein, Club S&S, Ron Bechet, and John Barnes.
It doesn’t matter if I’m looking out to the pool or in an old penthouse suite, New Orleans is here with me, and tomorrow I seek to find even more of it. Check back on Friday to see where else New Orleans is putting its fingerprint on Miami. Check out links below for more information:
http://www.jonathanferraragallery.com/
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/guns-in-the-hands-of-artists-miami-384119
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