Irene Sperber

The Coral Gables Museum continues to be hands on supporters of community interests with its latest selection of two concurrent and synergistic exhibitions.

The third annual ArtCycle exhibit, this year focusing on “Cyclists Matter,� highlights new work from thirty artists, reflecting 15 countries. Be sure to attend the opening on Friday, March 6, which is sharing space with another exhibition introducing the redevelopment plans for a new bicycle throughway under the Metrorail called M-Path. “The Underline: Make It Yours� exhibition, emphasizes the proposal of a new bike path running from Brickell to Dadeland.

Expect outdoor sculpture, video animation, photography, printing and mixed media shining an illuminating light on our future. Coral Gables Museum has a handle on what makes an exhibition eloquent. Both exhibitions stress the import of our bicycling culture as germane, relevant and timely to discuss in depth.

M-Path reminds me of the word empath, from the base word “empathy� which means the ability to comprehend the mental or emotional state of another. We need to understand the state Miami is currently experiencing regarding our ability to get around easily, economically and healthfully without relying on our ever expanding stressed out roadways. These two exhibitions not only point out the issues but underline solutions. As our world expands exponentially, it is important to make room for all our needs, and listen to the various factions of the community as other cities have done in this arena. These art exhibitions enable a doorway to enter into a dialogue with a wider audience.

Thirty of South Florida’s artist community, proffered their musings on the subject with grace and poignancy before a jury of peers composed of ARTcycle founders Giselle (Gigi) Delgado and Tachi Llamas, Principal of The Street Plans Collaborative Anthony Garcia and Coral Gables Museum Director Christine Rupp with Director of Programs Caroline Parker Santiago.

Director Christine Rupp outlined the museums thoughts:

IS: How do these two concurrent exhibitions work synergistically both with each other and with the museum's mission?

CR: The Coral Gables Museum, through our focus on sustainability, has always promoted cycling as a form of healthy alternative transportation. We offer monthly bike tours and work in conjunction with a Gables-based organization, Bike Walk Coral Gables, to advance cycling initiatives. The Museum also boasts the most bike racks of any business in Coral Gables, has applied to become South Florida's first official Bike Friendly Business and we were recently recognized nationally by Bikabout's annual Museum's awards.� The Underline, which is the ambitious project to convert the Metro-Dade Transit's M-Path into a linear park, will incorporate public art into its design. So, we have joined artists, urban planners, designers and engineers for this common cause.�

IS: What were you looking for when choosing pieces/artists for the exhibitions that you believed would best communicate the role of art in promoting the cycling efforts in Miami?

CR: It was really important that the human element, through physical form, thought or emotion, was well-represented in the piece. We have a beautiful selection that will evoke laughter, sadness, anger and of course, joy.

Cycling is joyful, but only when one feels safe. Our hope that together, these exhibits will serve to inform and inspire and ideally, make Miami's cyclists and motorists more thoughtful. Maybe we will also inspire people to get on a bike and thus ease our traffic and pollution woes. I've always loved this quote by H.G. Wells, "When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race."

Artist Danilo Gonzales, mastermind of The Art Place Wynwood, Danilo Gonzalez Gallery and the Wynwood Cafe, discussed his thoughts:

DG: It’s important for the environment and a healthy way of transportation, which has been displaced by the automobile. Last year I did bicycles covered with feathers, this year (for the exhibition) I covered the bicycle with industrial products from natural products to using industrial elements.

 

Founder of Friends of the Underline, Meg Daly, will lead a bike tour of The Underline on May 17t augmenting the programming. Several other activities and tours will occur during this exhibition through May. A SpringCamp will be offered for children ages five through 12, March 23-27. Check out details at www.coralgablesmuseum.org.