Having recently attended the Richard Serra exhibit at MoMA, I wanted to talk briefly about what is possible for Museum Park. I realize I have discussed this topic in some detail and I have been very interested in our reader input. The exhibit at MoMA was spectacularly attended, despite being mid morning on a weekday. The well designed museum, however, was able to accommodate the throngs of visitors quite well. Miami Art Museum will obviously never be the MoMA, but the visit did re-affirm my belief that the museums belong in Museum Park. Unlike MoMA, where there is only the crowded sculpture garden for attendees to recover from museum fatigue, without ending their visit, in Miami visitors will have all of the beautifully re-designed park green space. I fully expect the park to become gloriously utilized.
The energy and vibration of the crowds was astounding. The exhibit continued on the second floor where the sculptures, weighing literally hundreds of tons, seemingly a threat to the structural soundness, were safely on display because even that detail was pre-analyzed and managed by the thorough design team led by Terence Riley. He was not the architect, and he was certainly not the sole force behind the new MoMA, however, I believe that he is largely responsible for the overwhelming success of the construction of the new facility, and the presentation of it, to the world and is now bringing all of that experience to the project at hand, MAM. I think we who love Miami are in for a great civic experience.
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I experienced the Serra exhibition over in the Guggenheim in Bilbao. I couldn’t agree more with your assessment of the upcoming MAM and the importance of some foresight on the part of Terence Riley with regards to the design of the new structure. People here still fail to see how the museums will compliment the park space and will provide a much needed venue to bring people to that space…If only one day we could have a museum in the park capable of handling a Richard Serra exhibition, perhaps then they’d understand…
Look at the ideological and artistic crap at MAM. Even the big donors who rule the place don’t want to leave their collectons there, and then the taxpayers are being asked to pay for it? NYC taxpayers didnt have to pay for the MOMA expansion. First lets get MAM a real collection, then lets talk about where to put it.
No, It’s a Chicken vs. The egg scenario and in this case I think we need to build the coup before anything can be considered…
I agree with Gabriel’s assessment. Build it and all good things will come. What’s the point of expanding or enhancing the museum’s collection when the MAM’s current location inhibits attendance.
Well why don’t we let the rich pay for it, since they are not giving any assurances on the content and budget for the collection or even visiting exhibitions. Just look at what happened to the Wolfsonian. There is a great small building and a stagnate institution.
Ever heard of a white elephant like the millennium dome or a few Olympic stadiums around the world or dare I say the Arts complex already downtown. I agree with you on many issues but not this.
The rich will be paying for a large percentage of it. I do understand the legitimate concerns voiced by anon and white elephant.
No man is a magic man, but I have great faith in the collection of individuals gathered to take MAM into its long overdue, relevant incarnation.
They have stated, based on experience, as soon and the dirt starts moving the donations multiply greatly.