t r tof the cityWhether yourtastes tend towardsthe classic, thecontemporary orthe quirky, Miami,Brussels andFlorence all sharea passion for art,which makesthem perfectdest<strong>in</strong>ations forculture-lov<strong>in</strong>gtravellers, saysNorman Miller
city breaksModern designs <strong>in</strong> MiamiYou can tell a city has a major crush on contemporary artwhen it fills its baseball arena with the stuff. Miami’sMarl<strong>in</strong>s stadium comes adorned with works by Joan Miró,Roy Lichtenste<strong>in</strong> and Larry River among others, while aneye-popp<strong>in</strong>g 23m-high sculpture by multimedia artist RedGrooms lights up the left field with giant p<strong>in</strong>k flam<strong>in</strong>gosand leap<strong>in</strong>g fish every time the Marl<strong>in</strong>s slug a homer.Miami’s art affair was kick-started more than a decadeago by the arrival of Art Basel Miami Beach, which nowbr<strong>in</strong>gs a huge slice of the world’s most prestigious art fairover from Switzerland each December – <strong>in</strong> the processtransform<strong>in</strong>g Miami’s former image as a party townfocused on the Art Deco-decorated South Beach.Wynwood is the latest hot spot, cramm<strong>in</strong>g more than 60galleries <strong>in</strong>to a former <strong>in</strong>dustrial district. The coolest wayto explore is the Second Saturdays Wynwood Art Walk eachmonth, when galleries and studios open their doors to thewarm even<strong>in</strong>g air for ambl<strong>in</strong>g aesthetes, who refuel on thego at gourmet food trucks gathered by the Wynwood Walls.This permanent outdoor showcase of top street artistsaugments new pieces all around, mak<strong>in</strong>g this oneof the world’s major street art neighbourhoods.Privately owned art hoards are a unique sell<strong>in</strong>g po<strong>in</strong>t ofMiami’s art scene. Stay<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Wynwood, the Rubell FamilyCollection explores the post-Warhol scene, and iscomplemented by the world-class collection of modernphotography, video, <strong>in</strong>stallation and sculpture at theMargulies Warehouse. Just to the south, CisnerosFontanals Art Foundation exhibits a f<strong>in</strong>e collection byphilanthropist-turned-collector Ella Fontanals-Cisneros.A few blocks north, the Design District is a one-timeragtrade area turned luxe hangout. At its heart, the De LaCruz Collection highlights cutt<strong>in</strong>g-edge work by the likes ofGabriel Orozco and Ana Mendieta, amid couture boutiquesand chic <strong>in</strong>terior dealers.Art is mov<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> on the seafront, too. A dramatic newHerzog & de Meuron-designed pavilion is ris<strong>in</strong>g onBiscayne Bay, an expanded home for the Miami ArtMuseum that’s due to open <strong>in</strong> 2013 – a dazzl<strong>in</strong>g newart beacon by a cool, blue sea.WHERE TO STAYFor further <strong>in</strong>formation andreservations, please visitwww.SummitHotels.comThe mut<strong>in</strong>y hotelThis Coconut Grove hotel isa 12-storey swathe of coralcolour, while British Colonialmotifs decorate the <strong>in</strong>side.FOR FOODIESVERSAILLES has provided great-value feast<strong>in</strong>g for 40 years, withplanta<strong>in</strong>s and Cuban-style rice partner<strong>in</strong>g delicious meat and seafood.3555 Southwest 8th Street, Miami, FL 33135Tel: +1 305 444 0240 www.versaillesrestaurant.comJOE'S STONE CRAB features k<strong>in</strong>g crab claws as big as your arms,but there are brilliant seafood alternatives and much more.11 Wash<strong>in</strong>gton Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139Tel: +1 305 673 0365 www.joesstonecrab.comAREA 31 Michael Reidt's 16th-floor restaurant's fantastic cityviews complement <strong>in</strong>novative globally <strong>in</strong>fluenced cook<strong>in</strong>g.270 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami, FL 33131Tel: +1 305 424 5234 www.area31restaurant.comFOR SHOPAHOLICSThe Design District near Midtown has the big-ticket luxe names such asLouis Vuitton, Hermès and Christian Dior. For one-of-a-k<strong>in</strong>d boutiquesand trendy home design, head for L<strong>in</strong>coln Road, where you’ll also f<strong>in</strong>dcafés that stay open late for shoppers need<strong>in</strong>g a caffe<strong>in</strong>e recharge.Clockwise from far left: The stunn<strong>in</strong>g skyl<strong>in</strong>eof Miami along Biscayne Bay; a Roberto Behar& Rosario Marquardt creation; WynwoodWalls – a mecca for graffiti and street artists;contemporary art at the Rubell Family Collectionvolume THIRTEEN Summit 49
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