MIAMI – The much-anticipated Salon of 19th-century Paris brought together the foremost artists of the day to create in the "contemporary" Impressionist style. Art patrons and students flocked to the event to watch artists at work in a spirited atmosphere of creativity.
For three days this month, a similar atmosphere will converge at the former Espirito Santo Bank building at 1395 Brickell Avenue in Miami. Forty-four internationally known Miami artists, each with a distinct contemporary perspective for today, will gather to work in spaces soon to be demolished to make way for a glistening 36-story tower to grace Miami’s skyline.
Jose Bedia, Carol Brown, Robert Chambers, Tim Curtis, Edward Duval Carrie, John Espinosa, Robert Huff, Maria Martinez-Canas and Robert Thiele are among the dozens of major artists participating in "Departing Perspectives: Site-Specific Installations by Miami Artists," an exhibition curated by Fredric Snitzer of the Fredric Snitzer Gallery in Miami.
The exhibition is open to the public two days only, January 22 and January 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A preview to benefit the New World School of the Arts is set for Friday, January 21, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations are available by calling 305.371.3500.
"We are closing the existing building by creating a platform of artistic contemporary awareness for the community to enjoy," said Bill Ross, president of Estoril, Inc., developer of the new Espirito Santo Plaza scheduled to open in 2002. "The new building design will become an artistic signature architectural statement defining the Miami skyline. We wanted our existing building to be a much-remembered gathering of top Miami artistic talent."
Fredric Snitzer, selected as curator of the exhibition by Ross, added, "This exhibition was only in the planning stages when artists began calling to be part of the opportunity. From the very start, everyone involved has envisioned it as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be part of an historic gathering of contemporary art. "Consequently, ‘Departing Perspectives’ offers a virtual Who’s Who of Miami artists," Snitzer added. "Artists from continental and international residences are gathering for five days in what will become a highly-charged creative environment."
Beginning today, the 44 artists will convene at 1395 Brickell in their pre-selected spaces and project rooms. For five days, eight floors of the former Espirito Santo Bank will serve as the "canvas" for the artists, who have received permission to execute site-specific installations on walls, doors, staircases, the original bank vault and other building features.
Students from the Dash and New World School of the Arts also will create work in an area of the building designated as the Students’ Wing. "These students, already on their way to respected artistic careers, will have a lifetime opportunity to witness the creative process of internationally-regarded artists," Snitzer added.
Upon the closing of the exhibition on January 23, artwork will be dismantled to prepare for the demolition of the current building. Groundbreaking for the 1.2 million-square-foot, $130 million new office, retail, residential and condominium complex designed by Kohn Pederson Fox of New York is scheduled for spring 2000, with construction to be completed in 2002. The 36-story, elliptical-curved figural arch building is designed to connote Miami’s unique perspective as the continental gateway to Latin America.
