All things Wynwoodian

K. Moises - Galerie Perrotin | Work by C. Shawcros

Every second Saturday of the month, the Wynwood area of Miami holds a gallery walk from 7:00 to 10 PM.  

Located just north of downtown, Wynwood Arts District is a once blighted neighborhood on the cusp of growing up.  I say “cusp” because you need to retain, and I can’t stress this enough, your urban brain during this activity.  The area vacillates wildly from important collections and  hip & groovy galleries to deep shadows.  But let’s face it: you are just too cool to go anywhere that  does not require a body guard and a reputable map.  And it is fun: a treasure hunt for the young adult as well as a more seasoned art patron.

The center of this vortex morphs.  One month the most action is on 36th Street, the next a Bat Signal will move the flock several blocks away….I think it involves atmospheric vibrations, but, hey, that’s just my take. 

Beginning with several major art collectors tarting up derelict warehouses in the late ‘90’s; the arrival of Art Basel quickly propelled the area into gallery Nirvana. Art spaces opened to catch the eye of collectors wandering through, not to mention very reasonable rent, large square footage and easy accessibility from all corners of Miami-Dade. Art Basel is looming down on Miami Beach December 4th through 7th.  

There are about 70 galleries, collections, museums, complexes and open studios in the loosely defined old Wynwood area, which is bounded by I-195 to the north, 20th Street to the south, I-95 on the west and Biscayne Blvd on the east.

So, you wanna know if the crowd is up to your discerning standards, hmmm? The galleries are generally the emerging and experimental (and sometimes just mental) which can make the art uneven, but never dull. The crowd is getting younger each year, as are the artists, but perhaps…..just perhaps, it is my perspective that is marching ever onward. 

Second Ave. galleries

Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin
One of my favorites, the more sophisticated Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin (194 NW 30th Street) is housed in a  1959 Miami-Modern Warehouse/Showroom boasting a  floating mosaic staircase; the staff is informed and accommodating, the exhibitions never disappoint.  

Gallery DIET
Don’t let the name bring up any feelings of guilt; this DIET is low-cal if not always wholesome. (174 NW 23rd Street; Gallery Diet) 

FIFI projects
Located in a small space, this new photography /video gallery publishes its own magazine to go along with each exhibition. And the name? All lower case…very avant-garde, no? (167-B NW 23rd Street; fifimagazine.net)

Harold Golen Gallery  
The king of pop culture is the Harold Golen Gallery. A sampling of the exhibitions: The Cosmic Glob Show, Suntasm, Vintage Pulp and Hipsters Holiday.  Part gallery, part show space, ya jus’ never know what you’ll encounter. (314 NW 24th Street; haroldgolengallery.com)

Dorsch Gallery
Brook Dorsch was one of the first to open his gallery (1991) on a tiny street far from the main drags. Gutsy, and successful.  A charming hands-on gallery owner, Brook always has something fascinating.  This night I made a small stone by pressing a sand-masonry  material into a form, then tromped past 31 tons of sand dumped on the floor, to put my stone in a catapult and smash it into the wall…dust to dust.  Did you know you can skip stones on sand? (151 NW 24th Street; dorschgallery.com)

Somewhere in the mix I stumbled upon an outdoor lounge that exists only on Gallery Walk Night. The Bombay Sapphire Art Lounge, I think you can guess the motivation here, (2234 NW 2nd Ave, behind the David Castillo Gallery) gave me a chance to chill my “dogs” and have a reviving libation.  You must be of legal age to enter said premises (what luck).  It was presented by MAP Magazine. themapmag.com 

So, pile your nearest and dearest into a vehicle and head out one night.  You will not regret it.