The City Beautiful Lights Up for Illuminate Coral Gables
When the sun sets, the lights come on in unexpected forms and places as part of Illuminate Coral Gables, a world-class art exhibition in downtown locations from Feb. 12 through Mar. 14.
From colorful illuminated cycles to playful imagery projected onto the distinguished city hall building, eight projects use video projections, sculpture and art by local, national and international artists to create “a sense of discovery at night,” says chief curator Lance Fung, who worked with Catherine Cathers, Jennifer Easton and Rosie Gordon-Wallace on this exhibition.“Two residents came up with the idea of bringing projections to Coral Gables,” says Fung, who heads up Fung Collaboratives, an organization that conceives and realizes art exhibitions around the world, and its nonprofit partner FC Projects. “They gave us an accelerated timeline,” he says. Quickly, they set up a nonprofit, found financial sponsors, and set out to create the exhibition, using artists who range from internationally known icons to recently discovered local artists. Their mission: to highlight the unique spirit, energy and nature of Coral Gables.
In one of the most charming exhibitions, “Fireflies” by Cai Guo-Qiang, a fleet of American-made pedicabs transformed into kinetic and interactive sculptures using handmade silk Chinese lanterns will parade down Giralda Plaza and continue in a loop throughout downtown. “Fireflies is one of the most successful and historic public artworks I have been a part of. It is about bringing people together, sharing stories, reinforcing the value of community, all while being a deeply conceptual artwork by embracing different cultures and the actual general public it is meant to serve,” says Fung.
“Universes” from Miami-based artist Carlos Estévez, is his first technology-based artwork, mapping his paintings and sculptures onto the entire surface of the historic Coral Gables City Hall building. He is creating an educational tool and interactive artwork with their educational partners, FIU’s Art and Art History Department, and the Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
Giralda Plaza is the sight of artist Kiki Smith’s Blue Night depicting 42 suspended elements that reflect light through a transparent blue background. An augmented reality (AG) interface will let viewers use their devices to see ghosted images of her works on screen followed by the stars and asterism that compose each animal constellation.
Other artists include David Gumbs, whose works are on the Davidson’s Building at Valencia and LeJeune and Actor’s Playhouse at Salzedo and Andalusia; Antonio Wright and Ruben Millares, Yes/No, at various sites throughout downtown; Joseph Clayton Mills, The Passage, at 200 and 257 Miracle Mile; Jonathan Perez with FIU Art Students, You Are Here, at Salzedo and Aragon (east side of the Coral Gables Museum); Sandra Ramos, 90 Miles: De-construction, at the Colonnade Hotel.
Restaurants Pitch In
Fung says Gables restaurants, despite being hard-hit by the pandemic, have stepped up to offer in-kind services, feeding volunteers. On Giralda Plaza, the pedestrian-only dining street that’s home to Blue Night, the artwork is expected to enhance the dining experience and engage diners. Participating restaurants will hand out placemats
In-kind restaurant sponsors include Bay 13 Brewery and Kitchen, Clutch Burger, Spritz, Pinch Me and MKT Kitchen.
Illuminate Coral Gables
illuminatecoralgables.org
Feb. 12-Mar. 14, Wed.-Sun. 6-10pm
Want to help?
Illuminate is looking for ambassadors who will act as guides for visitors. Each volunteer will be posted at an outdoor exhibit for the duration of the shift and will recommend proper COVID-19 safety guidelines to visitors, including social distancing and the wearing of masks. Sign up here.
