Unexpected and funky! Fun visuals in Miami Beach. Stumbled upon this art deco surprise I didn't…read moreknow I needed.

I went on a free walking tour of Miami Beach and what appears to be a giant side boob stuck between…read moretwo buildings was there. Apparently, it's a bridge to connect two buildings and inside you don't even know you're inside it. It looks cool from the outside. I'm glad they added the color illuminating lights in his alley way.

The Wold Erotic Art Museum is on the corner of 12th St. & Washington Ave.. The elevator was broken…read more& the building is not accessible to those with mobility issues. We paid $20 each admission walked past the wall of vulvas to the penis bed. We walked upstairs to see the galleries. The Wilzig was created in 2005 by Naomi Wlzig as the only American museum dedicated to fine erotic art with a renowned collection of over 4,000 international artworks dating from 300 BCE to the present. This collection is distinguished by quality, diversity, and unique focus on erotic themes.. We began by watching an 8 minute videos with Naomi. Founded in 2005 by Naomi Wilzig, the World Erotic Art Museum (WEAM). She teamed up with the Kinsey Institute, The Research Center for the Cultural History of Sexuality at Humboldt University in Berlin & Florida International University (FIU) -- College of Communication, Architecture, and the Arts (CARTA). There were many galleries with comfortable seating spaces and clean restrooms. We spent about an hour here wandering around the maze of 20 small rooms. We passed lots of international photographs, wood carvings, sculptures and paintings. There was a room filled with Miami Vice memorabilia; photos, clothing & tchotchkes. The World Erotic Art Museum (WEAM) presented Mark Kostabi: Revisited, a striking exhibition of 14 new, large-scale, faceless paintings created for the museum. While living & working in Rome, he explored themes of eroticism, technology & the paradoxes of digital intimacy. Highlighted were sexting amid digital distraction, and a surreal portrayal of 3 nude women taking a group selfie; juxtaposing joy, sensuality & technology. Gorge Daniell presented gay themes through photographs & paintings of glamorous celebrities, and scenes of everyday life in pre-and-post-war America. His works were featured in major magazines, including "Time," "Life" and "Esquire," and was also displayed in the Smithsonian, The Museum of Modern Art and the Chicago Institute of Art.

Go!!!! You must go! We had a great time looking at everything…read more So much fun. So many interesting things to look at and ponder.

We love art! You got to--to appreciate this space. Great staff Rachel (so informative), Alex in…read morespray paint, and Alex -the one checking tickets- all sooo friendly and great. Rachel is above and beyond awesome. Beautiful art space outdoor and indoor (this was a great break from the heat). The outdoor fans, great idea but they aren't cold so not helping anyone cool off hehe On our second visit we brought the kids and did some spray painting on canvases and a skateboard. Such a great experience. Alex and her partner Andres were so helpful made the experience very enjoyable.

Wynwood Art Walk Tours isn't just walking past murals. It's walking with someone who knows which…read morewalls have stories attached, which artists took risks, which pieces cost the neighborhood something. The murals themselves are massive and they're professional, but scale alone doesn't make art work. Context does. Shepard Fairey's augmented reality layer is the differentiator here. It's not a gimmick. When you scan a mural with your phone, the piece opens up into layers and motion. It's the artist's way of saying "there's more here than what you see." It works because it's restrained, not constantly pulling you into your screen. You're still in the neighborhood. You're just seeing deeper. The guide we had knew the economics of gentrification in Wynwood. Knew which artists have been here for years and which are new money. Knew the politics of murals, why some walls get painted and others get buffed, why some artists collaborate and some don't. That knowledge cost something to build. You're paying for it. We took three teenagers, ages 14-17. Not a group naturally inclined to stand still for street art. They asked questions about technique, about why certain artists choose certain walls, about whether the AR experience changes how you see the piece or adds distraction. They engaged. That's not about impressive art alone, that's about the tour structure creating room for actual thinking instead of passive consumption. The neighborhood is dense and chaotic and intentional all at once. You'll see pieces that are technically flawless next to pieces that are deliberately rough. Some murals are massive, some are character-scale. Some artists are making statements about politics, some about beauty, some about ownership. The variation is what keeps it alive. A sanitized art walk would kill this. Walking it yourself is free and worth doing once. Walking it with the tour is $29 and worth doing if you want to understand why these walls matter to the city and why some artists chose to paint them. The difference is context. Context costs something, but you leave with more than photos. The sun hits different at 4 PM than at 11 AM, so timing matters if photography is part of your thing. The neighborhood gets foot traffic but it's not overwhelming. You're in a real place, not a theme park. That texture is part of why this works.

If you love elephants and art, then this exhibit is a must for you to see and experience. Never did…read moreI think that I would see 100 lifelike elephants on the beach in Miami Beach. You can get up close and personal for free until December 8 while Art Basel 2024 is happening in Miami and Miami Beach. The exhibit is located between 36th and 37th Streets on Collins Ave behind the 36th Street Park and the Faena Hotel. There is plenty of free parking. The Great Elephant Migration is a global fundraising adventure to amplify indigenous knowledge and inspire the human race, to share space. I am so thrilled that we were able to view this exhibit ahead of the official opening on Dec. 2. It lasts until Dec. 8. After Miami Beach, it will be traveling to Montana. It migrated from New York City to Miami Beach by truckload.

Located on the 36th Street beach behind the Faena Hotel - always a primo spot for their creative…read moreMiami Art Week installations - you will find a herd of elephants! Well, not actually real elephants, because then it would be an episode of Jumanji, but instead a Public Art piece intended to educate and embrace the nature around us. There are a few educational posters, lights to see the exhibit at night, and of course Pachyderms! These wooden (it looks like a rattan-type wood) masterpieces were crafted by artisans in the Nilgiri Hills of India, and the craftsmanship was superb. You can see the differences in each of the creatures, including expressive eyes. The elephants on exhibit range from a full adult size to babies. As a side note, there is also an adjacent installation of what look to be foam blocks arranged in the shape of a starfish. I was told the plan is to use those elements to construct an artificial reef offshore after the exhibit is complete. There is also an adjacent sculpture made to look like a sinking ship (though when I went at night the "sails" weren't up).

Apparently they are building a new building, to be open late December/ early January, so entrance…read morewas a bit tricky but this free memorial to the Holocaust is beautiful, moving, and disturbing all at once. With names, too many of them, of some who perished. Factual information/ photos of prewar Jewish life in Eastern Europe and the progression of Nazi hatred that led to the systematic destruction of the Jews. Succinct and powerful. A tunnel that leads out to the main sculpture has names of some of the extermination camos. The sculpture is very impactful and hopefully a wake up call to the US, humanity and the world regarding the evil of Hamas. A MUST SEE FOR EVERYONE. May their memories be a blessing.

Yesterday my daughter and I visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum. We had wanted to see it for…read moresometime but kept putting it off. It is so heartbreaking, upsetting and unforgettable. You have to get yourself mentally prepared to go and see a beautiful and haunting memorial built specifically to honor the 6 million Jewish people that the Nazis inhumanely murdered in many different countries between 1933-1945. It is unimaginable to me and so many others. It doesn't matter what race, religion, gender, nationality or age you are, you will be affected by visiting this place or any others like it. But we need to remind ourselves that it could happen again to another group of people if we are not careful. There are several parking lots nearby that are inexpensive. Street parking also if you can find it. There is no entry fee to visit. Donations are accepted.

I love discovering interesting public art and this lady is certain to grab your attention. This new…read moreart instillation has arrived in Miami ahead of Miami Art Week and Art Basel. R-Revolution is a 32,000 pound, 45 foot tall stainless steel statue of a nude woman by artist Marco Cochrane. Marco was born in Venice, Italy and raised in California. He is known for his sculptures of women that symbolize female empowerment. R-Revolution is the third in a series Cochrane calls the Bliss Project. The other two art pieces are Bliss Dance which made its debut at Burning Man 2000 and Truth is Beauty which made its debut at Burning Man 2013. R-Revolution was brought to Miami by the Lincoln Road Improvement District in partnership with the City of Miami. She was previously displayed at Burning Man in 2015. She has also been shown at Treasure Island, Petaluma, Las Vegas and now at the end of Lincoln Road on Miami Beach. She symbolizes feminine strength and liberation. Women line up to pose beneath her and have their picture taken. She is a major statement piece on iconic Lincoln Road. R-Revolution will be on display until April 2024.

This is a larger-than-life sculpture in the heart of downtown Miami Beach's retail district. This…read moreis a temporary sculpture and will be gone soon. This is the work of Cali artist Marco Cochrane and if you have the money, you can buy or lease it. It is the 3rd of a 3-series Bliss Project by Cochrane. The piece was made in 2015 and debuted at Burning Man, a week-long large-scale desert event focused on "community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance", held in Black Rock Desert of Nevada. It is constructed of steel framing and covered by stainless steel mesh skin. It stands a towering 45 feet and weighs 32,000 pounds. It has 16 motors in the chest area to simulate breathing and is illuminated by LED lights at night. I only saw it during the day, but have seen pictures of it lit up and night and it looks astounding. I was I could have seen it in person. Cochrane intended the statue to represent feminine strength and liberation. It definitely demands your attention. Many viewers were talking photos and selfies with the statue while I was there. If you are in the area, I highly recommend checking this piece out before it is gone. There is metered street parking and commercial garages available within a reasonable walking distance for those wishing to view this amazing piece. I really like this piece. I do not know if it is a destination piece though. I would probably make a visit to see this piece part of a larger itinerary. It will only take up about 10 minutes of your time, tops, but is definitely worth checking out and taking a few photos if you find yourself in the area.

Coral Gables is known for it's numerous plazas, entrances, and fountains from 1920's. That's why I…read morefind it so interesting to see what current works of art are being added. Anything new needs to harmonize with the beautiful features that George Merrick added in when he created the city. In 2014 the city approved two sculptures to be installed at the traffic circles along Segovia Street. They were designed by New York-based artist and sculptor Alice Aycock. The two installations are the first public art pieces to be added since George Merrick was alive. The sculptures are inspired by the passion flower and are constructed of more than 4,000 pieces of metal. The two sculptures are different. The sculpture on Biltmore is larger and has two flower designs. The Coral Way sculpture is designed to mimic a flower flowing in the breeze. More than 180 submissions were judged before a panel selected Aycock's design. The flowers have received mixed reviews from the community. Many feel that the modern art is not in keeping with the look of the city. A group of residents tried to have the sculptured removed but did not muster enough signatures for the ballot. Some of the complaints are that the sculptures are not Mediterranean and that accidents have increased at the traffic circles since the sculptures were installed. Others complain bitterly that they are not even able to choose a paint color for their house yet the city has moved away from the Mediterranean look of the city without consulting them. The city has decided to keep the sculptures despite the protest of some people who do not care for the look of modern art in their 1920's Mediterranean Revival city.

Interesting new metal art located near the golf course and situated on two roundabouts. There are…read moretwo pieces one on each roundabout - They are passions flowers. Other people here have told the history about them so I will leave it at that. However what I did read about on the net and thought was amusing - was some local residents were not very happy with them, thinking they did not represent Coral Gables mediterranean image, so they started a petition to get them remove. They did get over a thousand signatures but no where near enough to make an impact and get them removed. Looks like they are here to stay. I was not too keen when I first saw them and had a little chuckle to myself as the largest one is situated in front of a plastic surgery office (HE HE)...(apt? - you decide). However after walking around and actually really looking at them, the location, the area, they started to grow on me!...Let me know what you think - when you go for a look!

Mugshot Gummy Bear is really an art piece named The Vandal Gummy Bear by Brooklyn artist WhIsBe,…read moreshort for What Is Beauty. WhisBe first started making the The Vandal Gummy in 2011 as a nostalgia piece. As the artist explains it "At first, it represented the idea of innocence lost. Some represent my take on health and nutrition to my concerns about incarcerated youth, pharmaceuticals and addiction in this country." Some of the bears are translucent and filled with pills to represent addiction while others have a multicolor ombre effect which is popular during Pride Month. WhIsBe created a $60,000 pink one to represent Miami during Art Basel week in 2019. He also accepts commissions. No matter what color, The Vandal Gummy Bear signature look is a candy bear holding a Department of Corrections sign as if it were posing for a mug shot. It is a juxtaposition between the sentimental sugary treat and the alarming mug shot. You can find the red Vandal Gummy Bear at 296 NE 62nd St in Miami. He is parked between two buildings. Perfect for a quick photo shoot or your social media.

I've had my eye set on visiting this garden for a while…read more What a relaxing and beautiful garden. I love the fact that it's free so it's accessible to everyone. There is a wide variety of plants and flowers, chairs to sit. My favorite part was the Japanese garden and the koi fish. 10/10 I'd come back!!

Nice botanical garden perfect for a fairly quick stop to try something different in Miami Beach…read more Parking is across the street at the convention center and is $2/hour if you get the ticket validated in the gift shop within the garden. Otherwise it's $20 at that garage. The garden is free and open to all, showcasing lots of orchids, both native and foreign plants and trees, and several water features with turtles and koi fish. I was very impressed by the vanilla orchid - so beautiful! There is no food available for purchase, but there were some drinks available in the small gift shop. My only complaint was the audio tour, though appreciated, is difficult to follow and I gave up on it. It would be better with a more clear map and better descriptions for where to look for the particular plant/tree being discussed in the audio. Lincoln road, with food, drink, and shopping options, is nearby in walking distance, perfect to round out an afternoon at the garden.

If you are looking for an inexpensive date night idea this is the perfect place. SoundScape Park in…read moreMiami Beach was created by the Dutch urban design & landscape architecture firm of West 8. The park was designed by architect Frank Gehry. SoundScape Park was one of the last pieces of the Miami Beach City Center Redevelopment Plan, a redevelopment of 5.86 acres in the heart of Miami Beach's City Center district. The 2.5-acre urban park was created to be a cultural and civic center for Miami Beach. The park is in front of the New World Center and they use it for special events. During some New World Symphony performances, the outside wall of the Frank Gehry-designed concert hall features a 7000-sq-ft projection of the concert within. November 23rd and 24th kicks off the 14th season of SoundScape Cinema Series, a free movie event every Wednesday at 8 PM. You can bring a picnic and enjoy the free shows. The park is easily recognizable by its conic pergolas at the edge of the park. Their shape was inspired by the puffy cumulous clouds often seen in the sky in South Florida's tropical climate. The hand-fabricated painted aluminum structures provide shade and support for the colorful blooms on bougainvillea vines which add color to the entrance of the park.

A large, open city park that is very close to South Beach and Lincoln Way. Pretty empty on a…read moregorgeous Friday morning, with various architectural aspects/patterns around you to enhance the view. A few homeless around.