Miami’s Downtown Development Authority‘s (DDA) DWNTWN Art Days are back! Bigger, better, and stronger!

For DWNTWN Art Days 2013 the DDA has partnered with several cultural institutions, international artist, and local businesses to facilitate and incentivize art exhibits and cultural events across the Downtown Miami‘s cultural landscape. They present to you 130 events: film screenings, performances, panel discussions, international exhibitions, bike and walking tours, from Friday, September 20^th through Sunday, September 22^nd.

So much to do and so little time! Fear not my friends; Tropicult has got you covered. Here’s an itinerary of Tropicult’s DWNTWN Art Days highlights. Pass it along, sharing is caring!

The Fringe

The Fringe is a series of art projects that challenge the formal exhibition space curated by Amanda Sanfilippo.

It Takes Two

When: Friday, 9/20 9:30AM-6:30PM Where: Vacant Lot – N Miami Ave between 9 St & 10 St

It Takes Two (2013) by Daniele Frazier (Brooklyn) features two 18-foot moving inflatable elements, one a giant hammer and the other a giant nail. The perpetual dance between these two iconic symbols of construction and progress will serve as a slapstick metaphor about cooperation while also commenting on the rapid commercial development of downtown Miami. Here’s one of her previous artworks:

Argyle, Daniel Frazier (2010) Wood, paint, metal, 16 ft. x 10 in. x 37 in

Latticework

When: Friday,09/20 – Sunday, 09/22, 9:30AM-6:30PM Where: Grand Central Park at Miami Worldcenter – 700 N Miami Ave

Pontus Wilfors (Los Angeles) Latticework’s spherical sculptures are constructed from plastic faux lattice. Despite the manufacturer’s attempt to simulate the natural irregularities of wood grain, the materiality is unmistakable. Intrigued by popular of authentic materials for signifiers, Wilfors explores the cultural association of lattice as an idyllic symbol of American security and prosperity. The sculptures will be illuminated at night.

Giants In The City

When: Friday,09/20 – Sunday, 09/22, 10AM-7PM Where: Bayfront Park – 301 N Biscayne Blvd

Giants in the City, our favorite outdoor exhibit last year, returns! Giants in the City challenges the traditional meaning of the urban monument by offering a new artistic expression that transforms the origin of production and reception of the work of art.

Godzilla

When: Friday,09/20 – Sunday, 09/22,10AM-10PM Where: Christ Fellowship Church (Balconies) – 500 NE 1 Ave

Reed van Brunschot (Miami) inflatable sculptures animate exterior architecture, the oversized shapes comically jutting out of their boundaries. Using the humorous metaphor of a monster taking over the city to address the quotidian aspects of daily life, the scene will not be missed by the commuters from the adjacent MetroMover or neighborhood residents.

WATCH: Reed van Bee & Ayumi Suzuki, Brakke Grond ‘s Uncut Exhibition (2010), Miami Beach

Growing The Future Of Our City (GFC)

When: Friday, 9/20 – Sunday, 9/22, 3PM – 5 AM Where: The DRB – 501 NE 1 Ave

Margaret Mclnroe (Miami) will create a site-specific installation air duct and wheat grass plantings, GFC gestures to the 1982 Wheatfield – A Confrontation by Agnes Denes in lower Manhattan, where 2 acres of wheat were planted then harvested for bread. Challenging the urban grid, this piece entails the production and consumption of wheatgrass juice.

The Hub – Event Highlights

New this year to DWNTWN Art Days, The Hub at Grand Central Park at Miami Worldcenter, a central location where visitors can park their cars, pick-up information about events and activities. Here’s a few more events-exhibits to add to your itinerary taken from what we picked up online…

Thom Collins & Terence Riley (PAMM) Architecture Discussion

When: Friday, 09/20, 6PM Where: Adrienne Arsht Center – 1300 Biscayne Blvd

In conjunction with DWNTWN Art Days, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) Director Thomas Collins and former Director Terence Riley will discuss the unique aspects of the new museum’s architecture. Scheduled to open in downtown Miami’s Museum Park this December, the new PAMM was designed by internationally-acclaimed architects Herzog & de Meuron in response to Miami’s unique environment, and as a model for progressive, and sustainable, museum design.

Plus, there will be free booze! This program is sponsored by Cultured magazine, and cocktails are courtesy of GREY GOOSE Vodka.

The Art of Burle Marx on Biscayne Boulevard

When: Friday, 09/20 – Saturday, 09/21, 9AM – 10PM Where: Miami International University of Art & Design 1501 Biscayne Blvd

Photographic exhibition by artist Mariza Formaggini on the work of world renowned Brazilian architect Roberto Burle Marx. The exhibit focuses on Burle Marx’s project on Biscayne Boulevard.

MicroTeatro: Por Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Si

When: Friday,09/20 – Sunday, 09/22, 8PM – 1AM Where: CCEMiami – 1490 Biscayne Blvd

Microtheater is a theatrical action that consists in the representation of small plays of 15 minutes in containers for a number of no more than 15 spectators. Plays are repeated throughout the night and there is a bar to enjoy drinks between plays. Short and sweet! Just like we like it!

Standard Custom Logo Bench

When: Friday,09/20 – Sunday, 09/22, Ongoing Where: Vacant Lot – 146 NE 11 St

Tom Scicluna (Miami) creates bench functioning as a predetermined structure, the blue powder coated bench already exists as a ready-made concept/product – where “freedom” is used as a generic template. As a civic-oriented participatory structure/situation, the work provides a place to view ambitious developments along Biscayne Boulevard and consider the use, desirability, and privilege of the site.

MONUMENTS. Series

When: Friday,09/20 – Sunday, 09/22, Ongoing Where: Around Downtown

Gean Moreno‘s (Miami) the new MONUMENTS is a series of text-based takeaway posters exploring the possibilities that exist for the monument after the material dissolution of sculpture. Evoking a more direct relationship with contexts and people that live among public sites, the series considers the newfound function, presentation, and interpretation of such makers. Check out the photo galleries featuring some of his previous artwork (above/below).