MIAMI – In virtually any major metropolitan city in the world, 140 artists, with buckets and cans of spray paint, loose in the heart of downtown, with a quarter-mile of virgin public surface area, would be a nightmare. But, as we know, Miami is different. Here, the above scenario results in "Emerging Perspectives" -- not graffiti but fine art created by world-renowned artists and students identified as emerging stars of the art world.
"Emerging Perspectives" is designed as a spectacular outdoor running fence installation of art by 125 gifted art students from the New World School of the Arts and 15 world-acclaimed artists that will "wrap" the construction site of Espirito Santo Plaza at 1395 Brickell Avenue.
The art installation occurs Thursday, January 18 on site as students, teachers from the New World School of the Arts and leading professional artists gather to finalize their individual art panels that will stretch a quarter-mile in the heart of Miami’s financial district.
"Emerging Perspectives" opens on Friday, January 19, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a preview including a silent auction of all of the works presented. Bids will be open until 6:45 p.m. that evening, with all proceeds benefiting the New World School of the Arts. The exhibition is free and open to the public, continuing on Saturday, January 20 and Sunday, January 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
"Emerging Perspectives" is presented by Estoril Development, Inc., a subsidiary of the global Group Espirito Santo, and curated by Fredric Snitzer of the Fredric Snitzer Gallery in Miami. The exhibition is a continuation of last year’s highly acclaimed, site-specific "Departing Perspectives," which provided 50 world-renowned artists and students with the entire nine floors of the former bank building on site to use as their "canvas."
Leading artists featured in last year’s exhibition, including Jose Bedia, Carlos Betancourt and Robert Chambers, have each donated an original 8’ x 10’ canvas scrim panel for "Emerging Perspectives." The 125 students are also designing panels for the exhibition. "We want to create a platform of artistic contemporary awareness for the community to enjoy," said Bill Ross, president of Estoril, Inc., developer of Espirito Santo Plaza which is scheduled to open in 2003. "The new building design will become a signature architectural icon that will redefine the Miami skyline. This exhibition, scheduled to complement the annual gathering of the art world during Art Miami, focuses on our city as a magnet for top and emerging artistic talent."
Snitzer describes the exhibition and silent auction as "a singular opportunity to purchase art from some of the best emerging artists of our century, all of which has been donated to benefit the New World School of the Arts." He added, "Group Espirito Santo’s commitment to the artistic community in Miami is absolutely unparalleled."
"We wanted to continue with the ‘perspective’ theme of last year’s exhibition," Ross added, "but this year, to focus on the emerging talent of the student artists, the emerging perspective of the building, and the continuing emergence of Miami’s reputation in the international art community. "When this building is completed," Ross noted, "it will become Miami’s contribution to the architectural icons that dot the globe, such as the World Trade Center, Eiffel Tower, Opera House and Big Ben." He continued, "We hope 1395 Brickell Avenue will become a well-known address in the artistic community, starting with our successful exhibition last year, continuing with our artistic theme this year, and culminating with the grand artistic statement of Espirito Santo Plaza."
The 1.2 million-square-foot, $160 million new office, retail, hotel and residential complex, designed by Kohn Pederson Fox of New York, will provide a 36-story, elliptical-curved figural arch that is symbolic of Miami’s unique perspective as the continental gateway to Latin America.
Espirito Santo Plaza will front Brickell Avenue and extend a full city block, in the heart of Miami’s international financial district. The building will provide 300,000 square feet of office space, 7,500 square feet of retail space, restaurant facilities comprising 15,400 square feet, a 7,000-square-foot indoor fitness club, and a major, first-class hotel occupying 225,000 square feet that provides suite management for the condominium residences.
