The city of Miami Beach is fully embracing public art with several initiatives recently unveiled at the start of Miami Beach Art Week.
City officials, including director of tourism and culture Lissette García, commissioner Laura Dominguez and city administrator Alina Hudak, were on hand on December 5 for the opening of “Adora Vanessa Athena Fantasia” (2023). The newly commissioned art installation from Brazilian collective Assume Vivid Astro Focus (AVAF) pays homage to drag culture at a crucial time, given Governor Ron DeSantis' recent efforts to ban drag performances in Florida.
“We must defend drag. Stop criminalizing drag,” said artist and AVAF member Eli Sudbrack at the inauguration. “Drag performers are goddesses of our contemporary world. Their performances provide inclusive, warm, positive, non-judgmental, open and energetic content for everyone, including people who are not part of the queer community.”
“The main goal of our projects and this installation in general has always been to provide viewers with a sense of freedom and self-expression,” he added.
The five double-sided aluminum banners hang high on Espanola Way at the intersection of Washington Avenue in South Beach. Thanks to the cooperation of nearby respective owners, the public-private initiative is now in its third iteration. AVAF art pays homage to and incorporates details of local drag icons - eyes, nails, lips, wigs, fur, and sparkling, dazzling jewelry - including Adora, Athena Dion, Carla Croqueta, Fantasia Royale, Juice Love Dion, Lady Paraiso, Persephone Von Lips, Power Infiniti, The Regina Black, Tiffany Fantasia and TP Lords.
Drag performer Tiffany Fantasia was also present to thank and comment on the new work. “Please continue to support drag and the art. Without art, the world is boring,” said Fantasia as they discussed the importance of drag in Miami nightlife.
During her remarks, Commissioner Dominguez noted that Española Way was initially an artists' colony. Calling the AVAF art installation “spectacular,” she added, “I am an ally of the LGTBQ community and this work speaks wonders about the diversity we have in Miami Beach.”
Hudak thanked the AVAF collective, adding: “I want to take this opportunity to praise the artist for his message, for his joy, for his heart and for everything this installation represents for us and for a city that truly speaks to the message behind it. of this beautiful facility.”
“Adora Vanessa Athena Fantasia” will remain on display until February 29, 2024.
Meanwhile, across the city, Miami Beach has continued the latest iteration of its “No Vacancy” arts initiative, which places specific art projects and installations in 12 Miami Beach hotels through December 14.
Source: Artnet News