MAGIC INSIGHT
Miami-based artist Nick Mahshie, known for his immersive installations, wearable sculptures and uniquely designed objects, bridges the gap between art and design with a new public art installation titled Environmental Affection, combining painted elements, collage and the artist’s original garment designs to create floating landscapes inspired by life in South Florida. “We live on an island, a floating place where the visual stimuli of our landscape inspires in ways both tangible and fantastical, where we take fashion cues from the tangled roots of mangroves, absorb the creamy pastels reflected in light-kissed clouds after a tropical rainstorm, and embody the ripples and undulations that are intrinsic to the river of grass,” he says. “This place shapes us, changes us and inspires us. We sweat it out and breathe it in, both affected by, and with the fondest affection for, our subtropical, unreal and awe-inspiring surroundings.”; NickMahshie.com.
GALACTIC STATEMENT
Artist Chris Rivers often introduces soft light filters through layers of complementary tones, swelling with dramatic, saturated color before receding into the image. Upon closer inspection, these clouds are populated by minute details — flowers, insects, figures and other characters — scattered across the painted surface, offering a sense of scale to the abstract haze. Distinct rococo elements are also detectable, as curvilinear motifs fade in and out of the vibrant, bustling compositions. Wynwood’s first art hotel, The Arlo, is kicking off Miami Art Week with a special exhibition curated by Jasmine Arakel featuring the artist. Titled Cosmos, it will explore a dedication to exploring the beauty and vastness of the cosmic system, the complexities and contradictions of the human condition, and the infinite possibilities of the universe; ChrisRiversArt.com.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN:
STROLLING THROUGH ART IN PARADISE
Recognized around the world as an art hub with groundbreaking cultural programming and artistic pop-ups, Lincoln Road sets the tone for Art Week with the unveiling of new exhibitions by world-renowned sculptors and artists. Among the most anticipated showcases is the instantly recognizable XO World, a 12-foot-high, 24-foot-long jacks-inspired sculpture by Contemporary Abstract Artist Daniel Anderson, made from 20,000 pounds of stainless steel. The “X” signifies “love” in sign language, and the “O” is represented by a globe, bringing humanity together as one. There is also Dream Machine, a larger-than-life butterfly wing sculpture that represents the materialization of our innermost wishes by Poet & Philosopher Rubem Robierb. The interactive piece invites viewers to place themselves between the sculptural wings and imagine a trip to a place where dreams come true, creating a metaphorical space that speaks to the power of our minds and the law of attraction. Art lovers will also enjoy Beauty, a pop-up gallery featuring artwork by internationally acclaimed Actor, Director & Writer Jordi Mollà (best known for his starring roles in Blow and Bad Boys II). The gallery will showcase a range of his works from 2020 to present, featuring acrylics, charcoal and mixed media. Inspired by Miami’s vibrant culture and classic art traditions, the artist explores the concept of beauty, celebrating life and nature while reinterpreting classical techniques. In addition to being a haven for artists, Lincoln Road is also a hub for the performing arts, including the New World Center, home of the New World Symphony, and the Colony Theatre, home to Miami New Drama. It also has more than 15 art and design galleries, including Oolite Arts, FIU Miami Beach Urban Studios, Robert Fontaine Gallery, Romero Britto Gallery, Avant Gallery, Lumas Gallery and Lik Fine Art Gallery; LincolnRoad.com. Photos by Jorge Pintado, Israel Lozano & FotoNoggin
MEET ME AT THE WALLS
THE WORLD’S LARGEST STREET ART MUSEUM
One of the most celebrated destinations for cutting-edge creativity and a leader in the street art movement, Wynwood Walls will launch Miami Art Week with the launch of Street Art Icons and an iconic invite-only Art Week opening party with a headlining performance by Fatboy Slim and Greg Mike x Larry Loud. Adorning the scene will be new murals, sculptures and glass works by international artists Askew One (New Zealand); Bublegum (Spain); Carlos Mare (New York City); Digital DOES (The Netherlands); ELLE Street Art (New York City); Logan Hicks (New York City); Simon Berger (Switzerland); and Sophie Mess (United Kingdom) — in addition to new Goldman Global Arts Gallery exhibitions. “We are honored to welcome this cohort of talented artists, who will infuse our ever-evolving walls with their unique vision and style,” says Jessica Goldman Srebnick, who has led the curatorial vision of Wynwood Walls for 12 of its 15 years. “What was once a desolate neighborhood is now one that resembles an evolving yet masterful painting with the Wynwood Walls at its epicenter.”; TheWynwoodWalls.com. Photos by Nika Kramer & Martha Cooper
COLLECTOR’S CORNER
ON A WALL NEAR YOU
Born in Cali, Colombia, Mauricio Buitrago discovered his passion for cartooning at an early age. After graduating from high school, he began exploring ways to bring his drawings to life using handcrafted cardboard and foam, which led him to design window displays for local retail stores. His talent quickly gained recognition, and he was soon engaged in multiple projects creating props for major events across the city. Eventually, he landed in Miami for an editorial opportunity that launched his career in the U.S. In 2005, inspired by pop artists like Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Chuck Close, he began a new artistic journey by combining his skills in acrylic painting, wood crafting, and digital imagery to create unique pixelated works of art that capture celebrities, animated characters, iconic figures, and abstract compositions. “I create art that combines texture and color to bring visual experiences to life,” he says. “In the process, I unite hearts and minds across cultures through art that speaks a universal language, transcending borders and backgrounds.”; MauricioBuitrago.com. Photos by Martín Elfers.
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
AN EXPERIENCE WORTH THE TRIP
World-renowned guitarist Joe Satriani is showcasing one-of-a-kind pieces during new exhibits in South Florida, including original canvases and hand-painted guitars, with purchasers of any of his works treated to a private performance. As the world’s most commercially successful solo guitar performer, he has six Gold & Platinum discs to his credit and sales in excess of 10 million copies. “Music and art are my passions — I like making the invisible, visible, and the unimaginable, real,” he says. “The image on a canvas, or, an electric guitar for that matter, can make you feel something unexpected and revealing, something that is the beginning of a greater personal insight.” He believes there’s a balance between seriousness and humor that can imbue in a painting a kind of resilience and longevity, making it forever contemporary. “When I paint and play my guitar, I strive to be in a state of exhilaration, and communicate that feeling to my fans,” he says; Dec. 6: Wentworth Gallery @ Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; Dec. 7: Boca Raton Town Center Mall; Satriani.com.
