The notion of luxury generally brings to mind pictures of opulence. However, one of Miami’s true gem lies in the omnipresence of art in all shapes and forms, making the city and its culture a rich environment. As part of the GMCVB’s Temptations Program, Flanelle ventured to Miami to participate in a destination filled with activities, deals, and offers.
The Temptations program varies throughout the seasons, so make sure to plan ahead. You can find yourself traveling during the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Months, Health and Wellness Months, Attraction & Museum Months, Spa Months, Spice Months and more! For now, let’s delve into Arts and Attractions.
Miami Design District
Nestled in the heart of Miami, the Design District stands as a testament to the transformative power of art and design. Once a pineapple plantation in the 1930s, and later a hub for wholesalers and showrooms, this once-quiet area has evolved into a bustling outdoor luxury shopping experience, where every architectural detail is intentional and flagship stores have the possibility to be experimental and extravagant.
Thanks to Craig Robins, who envisioned the district as a destination for art and design in the 1990s, the area now thrives as a hotspot for creativity, innovation and luxury. Surrounded by the Buena Vista, Wynwood, Midtown, and Little Haiti neighborhoods, the Miami Design District is a shining example of what can be achieved when vision and determination converge.
Besides the obvious luxury shopping experience, the district offers an experience which starts before entering in the stores. One of the most striking features of the Miami Design District is its emphasis on avant-garde and problem-solving designs. With interdisciplinary collaborations between graphic designers, sculptors, and artists, it showcases immersive works such as the Swing-set installation, an energy-expressing swing installation by GT2P.
Another installation that shines is the Bouroullec Brothers’ metallic “Cloud” installation, situated above a pedestrian walkway in front of the Christian Louboutin store. It is an ingenious design that not only provides shade from the sun and rain but also harmoniously integrates with the surrounding trees and lush greenery, offering a delightful experience while being environmentally conscious with its close proximity to solar panels.
The Design District is a place where the old and the new intermingle, giving rise to a dynamic environment that invites visitors to explore and immerse themselves in a world where art and design interlock.
The Art Deco District, South Beach
Primarily a destination for leisure and pristine sandy beaches, The Art Deco District actually boasts a rich blend of art and history, noticeable in the stunning architecture and colorful buildings. This area is a feast for the eyes, transporting you to a time that appears frozen in the past.
If you want to delve into the history and architectural beauty of Miami Beach, you have the opportunity to do so with the Art Deco Walking Tour, offered by the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL). This captivating ninety-minute journey takes you through the heart of the Miami Beach Architectural Historic District, showing the wonders of Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival, and Miami Modern (MiMo) styles that define the area. The walking tours, led by knowledgeable local historians and architects, cater to residents and tourists alike, with a particular appeal to those passionate about art, design, architecture and history.
Adjacent to the South Beach area, Artechouse MIA offers an immersive experience in the heart of South Beach. As an American digital gallery, Artechouse is an innovative art space dedicated to showcasing and producing experiential and technology-driven museum-quality pieces. Their mission is to inspire and empower the creation of new, experiential, and exploratory art forms, connecting audiences to the arts and stimulating interest in the limitless possibilities of technology.
Art Museums
Frost Museum
The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a three-in-one destination with an aquarium, a science museum, and a planetarium spanning six levels. Located in Downtown Miami, Frost Science is dedicated to sharing the power of science, sparking wonder and investigation, and fueling innovation for the future. The 250,000-square-foot museum sits on four acres and is divided into four distinct buildings. This destination is popular for family trips, offering educational activities for all ages. For adults, it provides an opportunity to engage with the world around them – on land, in water, and throughout space; on earth, in water and in space.
PAMM Museum
Right next to the Frost Museum, The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), located in downtown Miami’s Museum Park, is a modern and contemporary art museum that opened to the public in December 2013. PAMM is dedicated to collecting and exhibiting international art from the 20th and 21st centuries. With its vibrant exhibits, hands-on workshops, educational programs, lectures, and community events, PAMM takes center stage as one of Downtown Miami’s most prominent cultural destinations. The critically acclaimed building, designed by Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron, houses an impressive collection of art with an emphasis on works related to Miami’s diverse community.
Rubell Museum
The Rubell Museum in Miami’s Allapattah neighborhood houses one of the world’s most significant and wide-ranging collections of contemporary art. The private collection, open to the public, features works by renowned artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cecily Brown, Keith Haring, Rashid Johnson, Hayv Kahraman, Jeff Koons, William Kentridge, Cindy Sherman, and Mickalene Thomas, among others. The diverse mix includes not only seminal works by established artists but also pieces by under-recognized rising stars.
Superblue
Located in the Allapattah neighborhood, directly across from the Rubell Museum, the Miami experiential art center Superblue transforms an industrial building into a cultural resource for the South Florida community. Superblue is a groundbreaking immersive art experience gallery. Featuring an amazing mirrored labyrinth by Es Devlin, a transcendent digital environment by teamLab, and a light-based experiential work by James Turrell, Superblue presents with awe-inspiring and transformative installations that can only be experienced in Miami.
Vizcaya Museum
As you step into the beauty and grandeur of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, you surround yourself in the enchanting Italian Renaissance-style villa nestled amidst 10 acres of meticulously manicured formal gardens. This architectural masterpiece, completed in 1916, offers visitors a glimpse into Miami’s storied past. The museum showcases an exceptional collection of European art and furnishings that span over 400 years of history, blending seamlessly with the villa’s stunning architectural details. As you wander through the lavishly decorated rooms and expansive gardens, you’ll be captivated by the artistry and attention to detail evident in every aspect of the estate. The Vizcaya Museum also is a favorite venue for local weddings and events, adding a touch of romance to this already magical setting.
Miami’s artistic landscape offers a captivating tour through time, creativity, and innovation. Wander through the streets to discover some hidden treasures such as artists studios, public murals and boutiques filled with culture. From contemporary art collections and architecture, to immersive digital galleries, the city is a haven for art enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
To learn more about the Temptations programs, visit the GMCVB website and start planning your artistic journey through the vibrant city of Miami.
Text by Sarah-Eve Leduc