Highlights of Art Wynnwood Include 'Shark Tank' Investor Kevin O'Leary's Photography

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Highlights of Art Wynnwood Include 'Shark Tank' Investor Kevin O'Leary's Photography

MIAMI, Florida
/
February 11, 2016

Art Wynwood, the premier art fair of the winter season produced by Art Miami LLC, will showcase a dynamic array of work from the underground street art movement, emerging young talent, and world-renowned contemporary and modern artists. Its fifth edition will take place Presidents Day Weekend, opening with the highly acclaimed VIP Preview on Thursday, Feb. 11, and will open to the public on Friday, Feb. 12, and continue through Monday, Feb. 15. The major contemporary art fair will feature 72 international galleries showcasing diverse artworks from artists around the globe, including countries such as France, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, South Korea, and of course, from throughout the U.S.

Karen Gunderson, Silver Dusk (2015). Oil on linen, 40 x 40 inches

Art Wynwood offers serious collectors as well as seasoned and beginning art enthusiasts the best opportunity to discover and acquire some of the most important art works of the era. Last year, the prestigious art fair attracted more than 35,000 collectors, curators and art enthusiasts during its five-day run, with more than 7,500 collectors attending the opening night VIP Preview. Coming off the recent success of Art Miami, which takes place annually in December, Art Wynwood is expected to draw even more notable attendees this year and is forecasted to boast additional high-value acquisitions.

Some noteworthy highlights of this year’s fair include the following:

Art Wynwood will showcase important works like Jennifer Dalton’s installation from Winkleman Gallery; Andy Warhol’s Flowers from ARCHEUS/POST-MODERN; Andrew Myers’ My Dealer is Not a Square from Lawrence Cantor Fine Art; Julian Lennon’s photograph Horizons from Emmanuel Fremin; Cheryl Pope’s tops from Spinello Projects; and the 1960s-inspired booth from Long-Sharp Gallery.

Art Wynwood will open in the first quarter of a presidential election year this Presidents Day Weekend, and to commemorate the moment, the main entry doors of the fair will be flanked at both sides with large replica printed murals of Bernie Taupin's Sleeping Beauty,whilethe original work will be exhibited inside the fair at the Waterhouse & Dodd booth. Sleeping Beauty is an example of how Taupin has used the American flag as a recurring theme, utilizing this image to showcase its resilience and history of rebounding from abject adversity. The British-born visual artist/lyricist, now an American citizen, Taupin is inspired by the flag as a medium and features it heavily in his work.

Martha Cooper’s most recent venture documenting the Wynwood Arts District will be on view.

Art Wynwood will mark the debut of Kevin O’Leary’s contemporary photography exhibition. Titled Irreconcilable Images, the exhibit will feature original works by O’Leary, a business mogul and investor on “Shark Tank.” He describes the photographs as “irreconcilable” because “Viewing the work alerts your sense of foreboding, and you are suspicious of what you are seeing. The eye keeps trying to reconcile the imputed accuracies.” The work displayed will span multiple decades and geographies and will include titles such as Self Portrait (1975), Inflating Zeppelin (2008) and Woman on Chains (2013). All profits from the sales of the photographs will benefit aspiring teenage entrepreneurs and the Perry J. Cohen Foundation (PJCF). The goal of PJCF, established by Pamela Cohen and Nick Korniloff, is to create awareness and education around the safe enjoyment of recreational boating, fishing and water sports. The foundation also will provide scholarships for deserving students, as well as financial assistance to future search-and-rescue efforts for others lost at sea.

Martha Cooper, an iconic photographer noted for capturing the street art movement, will exhibit her work depicting Wynwood Walls and the Wynwood Arts District at this year’s Art Wynwood. Cooper’s work has been influential for urban vernacular art and architecture for over 40 years. Her dedication to documenting graffiti as an art form has propelled her to international acclaim, and because of her efforts, Cooper has been chosen as the recipient of the Art Wynwood Tony Goldman Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kerry McLaney, Founder/Creative Director of Miami's Independent Thinkers and 305 Creative Group, is known for documenting Wynwood’s evolution of street art throughout the years. When she first moved to the Edgewater/Wynwood area from Haiti, McLaney was captivated by how the colors, styles, shapes and textures of street art looked from behind the lens. In 2011, she met Martha Cooper, who quickly became an important guide into the street art world. This year, McLaney will have a booth adjacent to the Martha Cooper exhibit at Art Wynwood.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

The 1960s Will Blow Your Mind

The disruptive ideas and materializations of art that exploded throughout this revolutionary decade continue to provoke and stimulate new generations of artists, curators and cultural trendsetters. The 1960s gave life to history’s first globally connected experience and saw a rise in the creative chaos and innovative genius that remain seminal to the core of 21st century art. The fair will introduce the beloved ‘60s genre to a younger audience in a new exhibition and will re-contextualize the decade for the well-versed collector.

Important works to note include German Love, a color screen print by Robert Indiana (1968) from Robert Fontaine Gallery; Flash, II.35 Red Kennedy, a color screen print by Andy Warhol (1968) from Elizabeth Clement Fine Art; The Beatles Pillow Fight by Harry Benson (1964) from FREDERIC GOT; and Fragment 7, a screen print by Bridget Riley (1965) from ARCHEUS/POST-MODERN.

FOCUS MIAMI

A distinction of Miami’s art community is its clear dedication to fostering, enabling and improving the art experience of this culturally vital city. With a depth of understanding and a broad range of active programs, Miami’s arts organizations, artist-run initiatives and publications are creating new opportunities for local and visiting artists as they expand Miami’s own spirit and sensibility internationally. Art Wynwood is shining a light on five organizations at the fair this year—Laundromat Art Space, Locust Projects, The Miami Rail (with guest Bookleggers), Wynwood Radio and Yeelen Art Space—and each will have its own booth.

The Laundromat Art Space is an Artist Residency Program & Exhibition Space for Miami artists in the heart of downtown Little Haiti. The collective offers engaging community programming and showcases innovative curatorial projects. The residency houses nine studio artists who have the unique opportunity to be part of an environment that fosters collaboration between multidisciplinary creatives and draws influence from the microcosm of Caribbean culture, which defines Little Haiti.

Current resident artists are: Andres Martinez, Bianca Pratorius, Christin Paige Minnotte, David McCauley, Jean-Paul Mallozzi, Marina Gonella, Michael Williams, Pablo Contrisciani and Ronald Sanchez

Christin Paige Minnotte will perform Disposable Ethic, a series of photographs accompanied by live performance and projected video intended to illuminate an irony of industrial progress, specifically with respect to plastics in the ocean - the idea that the very triumph of mankind, the ability to transcend natural limits (i.e. the creation of a new polymer to nature), and even improve upon nature, could seal its doom.

Locust Projects is a not-for-profit exhibition space dedicated to providing contemporary visual artists the freedom to experiment with new ideas without the pressures of gallery sales or limitations of conventional exhibition spaces. Local, national and international artists are encouraged to create site-specific installations as an extension of their representative work. Locust Projects supports the local community through educational initiatives and programming that are free to the public.

The Miami Rail, an editorially independent expansion of the Brooklyn Rail founded in 2012, will present this year with Bookleggers. Produced four times a year in print and online, The Miami Rail provides critical coverage of art and culture. Founded and published by Nina Johnson-Milewski, The Miami Rail is made possible with the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

The Miami Rail reproduces the Rail © with the express permission of the Brooklyn Rail, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in Brooklyn, NY and founded in October 2000, of which The Miami Rail is an editorially independent expansion.

Bookleggers is a non–profit community mobile library based out of Miami, Florida. The library sets up at rotating venues once a month and give away free books to the public. At Art Wynwood, Bookleggers will be selling rare and unique art books and out of print texts, along with a small selection of free reads for the visitors. (Website: www.bookleggerslibrary.com)

Wynwood Radio is the local internet radio that’s focused on the arts and Miami’s art community. This year, it will add to the Art Wynwood experience by hosting interviews and collaborations onsite. For the opening night, Wynwood Radio will host a music event in celebration of special exhibit The 1960s Will Blow Your Mind, featuring Wynwood Radio DJ - Brian Jones. He will play only 1960s music throughout the night and will broadcast live.

Yeelen is a contemporary art space dedicated to the development, promotion and expression of Contemporary Urban Culture. Since its inception in 2008, Yeelen’s aim has been to curate a program that is both a reflection of and an international voice for the local and national culture; representing an international group of pioneering artists who retain independence and give a voice to the unheard.

Art Wynwood Tony Goldman Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 | 7:30 PM (Paid ticket event)

Art Wynwood will honor the legendary street art photographer Martha Cooper with the second annual Tony Goldman Lifetime Achievement Award during a dinner at db Bistro Moderne at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami. Presented in partnership with Wynwood Walls, the award acknowledges individuals in art whose careers have changed the industry. Cooper has made an indelible mark on the urban art scene, elevating the perception of graffiti and street art from an underground subculture to a new art movement celebrated around the world. This is a private event, open to ticket holders only. Tickets can be purchased here.

ART TALKS

Furthering the Dialogue: Discovering Opportunities available within the Miami Art Eco-system

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 | 3 PM

Miami-based gallerists Tyler Emerson-Dorsch, Mindy Solomon, and Alejandra von Hartz will converse with Jeremy Mikolajczak, Director of the MDC Museum of Art and Design, regarding their individual expertise, the place of small to mid-sized galleries in the art ecosystem and what opportunities exist for Miami art collectors. All three gallerists are board members of the Miami Art Dealers Association.

Art Obligations Moderated by Claire Breukel

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 | 2 PM

What obligations do artists, collectors, critics, and art fairs have to the art community beyond the action of buying and selling art? These Miami art professionals discuss whether art should be viewed as intrinsically humanitarian, how their individual practices help to build community, and where efforts have and do fall short.

Participants: Artist and gallery owner, Loriel Beltran, collector, Jorge Garcia, Art Wynwood Director, Grela Orihuela, Laundromat founder, David McCauley.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Wynwood Walls Shop

Jessica Goldman Srebnick, CEO of Goldman Properties, is aligning with Art Wynwood to sponsor WYNWOOD WALLS SHOP for the second year in a row. The Wynwood Walls Shop will exhibit limited edition prints from current and prior Wynwood Walls artists. Prints will be signed and numbered, and are available for sale.

Artrageous Kids Center

Miami Children’s Museum will provide a safe playroom on-site for children ages 3-13, who are introduced to art while their parents visit Art Wynwood. Children enrolled in the program will participate in activities that include art explorations, games, puzzles and storytelling under the supervision of the Miami Children’s Museum experienced staff. For information and pre-registration, contact Anais at 305-373-5437x124 or arodriguez@miamichildrensmuseum.org

The Creators Lab

Luis Valenzuela, an internationally renowned fashion designer, will be creating ‘60s-inspired fashion in honor of Art Wynwood’s The 1960s Will Blow Your Mind to be previewed on VIP opening night. At this exhibit, there will be models decked out in ‘60s hair and make up wearing his designs.

Dirty Bind

Dirty Bind is an ongoing curation of zines, books and prints from around the world. SWGR sought to provide an outlet for artists to show their work in both a gallery and communal setting. Opening a permanent fixture in the heart of Wynwood allowed for a wide range of artist participation that is as diverse as the neighborhood itself.

Participating Galleries and Artists:

About Art Wynwood: Sponsored by Merrill Lynch, Christie’s International Real Estate, and JW Marriott Marquis, the fair will present over 70 galleries and diverse artists hailing from countries such as France, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, South Korea and, of course, from throughout the U.S. Art Wynwood’s continued dedication to the visual arts community has elevated the Magic City to the global stage each winter. The fourth edition reported record attendance, attracting over 35,000 enthusiasts and collectors.