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A Resolution approving a public art exhibition by Hank Willis Thomas, and for its application to "Art Basel and Miami Art Week," extending through Winter, 2019. (unanimously recommended by the Cultural Development Board approval/denial vote: 7 to 0).
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The Cultural Development Board has historically recommended City participation in Miami’s Art Week and, more specifically, an affiliation with Art Basel.
In 2016, an Art Basel event application was submitted by the City and approved for the first time for a VIP event celebrating, and on the site of, Alice Ayock’s artwork, Passion/Passiflora Incarnation.
In 2017, Mayor Valdes-Fauli generously sought out Master artist Carlos Cruz-Diez for a public exhibition of the artist’s work, Induction Chromatique, during Art Basel and Miami Art week. Again, the City received approval by Art Basel for an official VIP event celebrating the work at the site of City Hall.
Following the consistent recommendation of Art Basel, the City conferred with the Lowe Art Museum and worked collaboratively to recommend an artist to approach for a temporary exhibition in 2018.
The City requested a proposal for a temporary exhibition of artwork by Hank Willis Thomas. The artist’s team responded with a preliminary concept and visited Coral Gables to further refine the exhibition proposal.
The Arts Advisory Panel and Cultural Development Board were presented with a proposal for the truth is i am you by Hank Willis Thomas and voted unanimously in support of the project in its entirety.
Building on the established relationship with Art Basel, the City proposes to submit an Art Basel VIP event application to celebrate the exhibition.
Funding for the temporary exhibition is being proposed through use of the art acquisition fund and possibly additional private sources to cover exhibition fees, marketing, and related events. The cost of the proposed exhibition is $193,162 and related support, marketing, and events are estimated to be $20,000. Staff recommends the City utilize up to $193,162 from the Art In Public Places Fund to cover exhibition costs plus $20,000 for marketing and events.
The Arts Advisory Panel voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend support of the temporary public exhibition titled the truth is i am you at their meeting on April 25, 2018.
The Cultural Development Board voted unanimously (7-0) to recommend support of the temporary public exhibition titled the truth is i am you at their meeting on May 1, 2018.