The gallery walk has become a completely different thing over the last couple of years. As more and more people show up each month, it’s become a positive street fair, where the majority of the people have minimal interest in the actual art, and the galleries are almost just along for the ride. Stores have begun to open up along N.E. 2nd, and the food truck / street vendor thing has positively exploded. Some of the art is responding by reaching for out-sized dimensions and spectacle, while other galleries determinedly stay on course. The number of galleries has also expanded — seems that every space near the Wynwood nexus is open and displaying art these days (with the exception of die-hard Harold’s Body Shop). But nevermind all that—let’s look at some art.
Finally the Jillian Mayer show at Castillo, which was unexpected and wonderful. In particular the grandma video, which you need to not miss.
Across the street, there was lots of interesting stuff happening at the O, Miami space, including performances and a number of audience-participation writing projects. Applaudable, with the possible exception of the booklet titled “a modern anthology of miami poets” which contained exactly 13 poems?
Over in the UM space, Sean Smith’s paintings, created by serving meat with sauces. Delicious, delicious meat. The end result gets a coat of varnish and goes on the wall. There were a few completed smaller pieces (which were pretty interesting), and some of his “regular” paintings (which, not so much).
As always, a rockabilly band in front of Harold Golden.
Peggy Levison Nolan’s show at Dina Mitrani is a must-see. Here’s walking the photography walk rather then talking the photography talk. You can see a few photos at the website, but try to catch it in person.
Across the street, a tres fancy plant store, with air plants quite literally stuck up a horse’s ass. Future Plants, indeed.
Miguel Paredes, seen previously, has moved into an even larger and more ostentatious spot. This is Britto for guys with wallet chains.
No over-the-toppedness is spared—the space is replete with one painting velvet-ropped off and a “wet paint” sign, two free bars (when most galleries have done away with booze), and this crazy installation with real stairs and dioramas inside the windows. I looked for a single work that’d be memorable on its own unsuccessfully, but the overall effect was something.
At Dorsch, Paul Myoda shows a large group of chandelier-like objects, many animated, motion-sensitive, and sound-making.
In another part of the gallery, Brookhart Jonquil reflects an entire room.
A solo show by the consistently great Agustina Woodgate at Spinello. Remember the hopscotch game painted all around Wynwood? Yep, that was her. Here are pieces made out of human hair (that huge tower!), videos, a gigant quilt made out of teddy bears, and a new piece from the fruit stickers. Along the wall is a nondescript row of boxes — the contents of Woodgate’s studio, which will be available for trade(!). Information should be available soon at a special website, which though is not live as I write this.
Finally, my pal Catalina Jaramillo’s fantastic installation at Dimensions Variable. She collected every single object her mother owned when she died of cancer. Poignant and quite lovely.
