Ex p l o r e
NADA ART FAIR A non-profit arts organisation aimed at accessible contemporary art, New Art Dealers Alliance is a must during the Art Miami fair. A more affordable entrance to the art market with an easy vibe, you can stroll around the exhibition viewing works and stopping to chat to the enthusiastic gallery owners and sometimes even the artists themselves. I souvenired a piece by Tabboo! (aka Stephen Tashjian) from my visit to NADA. newartdealers.org
WYNWOOD WALLS Park and walk. Previously a warehouse wasteland but redeveloped by visionaries Tony Goldman, who originally established Soho, NYC, and Jeffrey Deitch. The area has been given over to street artists and the large building walls are ‘lent’ to artists the globe over as their oversized canvases. More graphics than graffiti, and more reminiscent of wallpaper, the images change regularly and don’t skip the smaller streets and alleys. Look out for the long queue that indicates Zak the Baker with the sign that simply reads ‘Bakery’. This guy is legendary throughout the city and proudly mentioned on the best menus. thewynwoodwalls.com PÉREZ ART MUSEUM MIAMI Designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron and opened in 2013, this amazing structure is bordered by giant suspended totems of tropical gardens. It is spectacular before you even enter to view that latest exhibition. The interior is thoughtful and serene with almost a residential feel of warm finishes of oak and polished concrete and views of the hanging gardens from its many windows. The museum showcases exhibitions by contemporary artists that are thought provoking and beautifully curated as well as housing a permanent collection on the first and second floors. Verde, the museum’s restaurant and coffee bar, is well worth a fuel stop with its sweeping views of the bays and multidimensional gardens. pamm.org
STILTSVILLE If you have the opportunity to board a boat, take a trip to the fantastical Stiltsville. They are what the name suggests, stilted houses constructed in the middle of the ocean in the 1920s to get around the gambling and prohibition regulations of the time and purpose built for wild parties! They are no longer allowed to be repaired and with each hurricane
season, fewer and fewer exist, but are a reminder of the fun and frivolity of times gone by.
THE STRIP, SOUTH BEACH For the best Art Deco tour around just walk down Collins Avenue, where the historic buildings flank each side; porthole windows, curved facades, skyscraper and P&o-style hotels, and terrazzo floors are spotted at each turn. Along Ocean Drive, which follows the beach, the street is lined with palm trees as far as the eye can see, great for a sunny stroll, or hire a bike from one of the many docking stations around the strip. With classic pastel-coloured Art Deco buildings on one side, and white sand and blue waters on the other, this part of town captures the essence of Miami. If you find yourself in a hotel with a rooftop pool deck, make sure you stay up for the sunrise – the buildings and surf are spectacular in the morning light.
DESIGN MIAMI Complementary to Art Basel, Design Miami occurs around the same time of year and should be on the hit list for any design enthusiast. A collection of global influencers, curators and gallerists is behind the exhibitions, making it a melting pot for furniture, objets d’art, lighting and homewares. At the heart of the forum are the galleries – half exhibition space, half showroom – for visitors to peruse and soak in some of the best design from 20th- and 21st-century makers. Be sure to keep an eye out for Curio installations, cabinets of curiosities sprinkled throughout the fair. miami2016.designmiami.com
FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN Beautiful old grounds of 33 hectares scattered with traditional brick houses showcasing tropical plant specimens from all over the globe. Take a few hours to wander the large, lush grounds with breathtaking vistas and meandering paths, forest walks, palm clusters and junglescapes. View exotics such as sausage trees, cannonball trees and majestic royal palms, air plants and epiphytes, and a butterfly conservatory. fairchildgarden.org
BALL & CHAIN Located in Miami’s Little Havana with a colourful history that you would expect from a 1930s den of iniquity, the Ball & Chain is great for the night-life adventurers, whether they come for the music, salsa dancing, drinks or food. Don’t overlook its simple neon signage and green and white-striped awning. The interiors feature pine beams from the building’s original structure, green walls covered with framed photographs of jazz musicians, herringbone timber floors and curved leather booth couches. Thursday night is salsa night, with a free lesson for those looking to pick up some spicy moves. ballandchainmiami.com