Museum Quality from p10 Frost Science Museum and passing through Miami Worldcenter to shop or dine — all while being exposed to world-class public art. “We want the art to flow through the city, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” the developer says. Abney’s mural is the first piece to be un- veiled as part of the project. Brown, tan, and white shapes take the form of people living har- moniously together among music notes and large blackbirds. One part of the mural can be seen while driving along NE Second Avenue. The work continues along the walls of a pedes- trian tunnel and spills over to the other side of the building. Speaking to New Times from his home in Los Angeles, Deitch describes Abney’s mural as one of the most ambitious public artworks in recent times. In addition to Ab- “WE WANT THE ART TO FLOW THROUGH THE CITY, AND THAT’S WHAT WE’RE TRYING TO DO.” ney, Miami-born sculptor Woody De Othello, Miami-raised artist Viktor El-Saieh, sculptor Nick Cave (not to be confused with the rock musi- cian of the same name), and Texas- based artist Trenton Doyle Hancock have been announced as part of this program. Two to three more artists may sign on before the end of the year. The overarching theme that ties the artists to- gether is that all the works are figurative. “Most public sculptures or public murals tend to be more abstract,” Deitch says. “There’s been a strong revival of figurative art so we thought it was very timely to go with this theme and we also wanted the art to be relatable to a broad public. And we thought that figuration would be more engaging, more welcoming.” While the type of art was a crucial part of the narrative created by Deitch and the curatorial team at Primary, having the works connect to the Magic City in some way was also a vital compo- nent. “When selecting the artists, the first thing we looked at was that the artist’s work was fig- urative by definition,” says Books Bischof, one- third of the team at Primary. “And if they weren’t from Miami or connected to Miami in some capacity, we asked them to consider Mi- ami’s history when conceptualizing their com- missioned piece.” Bischof, who runs Primary with partners Chris- tina Gonzalez and Typoe Gran, tells New Times how this project is an opportunity for everyone to engage with outstanding public art. He relays the story of being a kid passing through the Fort Lau- derdale airport and seeing a piece by sculptor Duane Hanson. “At the time, I didn’t know who Duane Hanson was; quite possibly many people [traveling through the airport] didn’t know who he was ei- ther,” Bischof says. “I remember this mob of trav- elers surrounding the glass box, enamored by his hyperrealism.” Similarly, this project with Miami Worldcenter “is a moment for those same passersby to begin a romantic relationship with contemporary art at any point on their daily commute or en route to dinner. That, for me, is magical.” [email protected] 11 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | NEW TIMES JUNE 2-8, 2022
