MIAMI MIDTOWN MIDWAY

2003

Midtown Miami / Buena Vista Yard

Miami, FL. - VIDEO

The Miami Midtown Midway was an installation/event that coincided with the arrival of Art Basel Miami Beach in 2003. The Midway celebrated the nomadic nature of traveling carnies similar to the manner in which art fairs travel the globe. Historically, carnies offered a place where one could find various forms of entertainment and quick fix potions. On display in the Miami Midway were 5 actors, 7 poets, 5 classically trained musicians, a high school dance team, Afro-Cuban band, Reverend Ethan Acres, a Ferris-wheel, fireworks and Carney banners featuring South Florida’s most prominent art collectors.

The Miami Midway coincided with the birthday of Saint Barbara, which is celebrated on December 4th . In the legend of Saint Barbara, it is said that a king kept his young princess daughter locked away in a tower to keep her from both prospective suitors and consistently helping the poor. Consequently, the princess converted to Catholicism and her father had her beheaded. Subsequently the king was struck by lightning. St. Barbara is known as the patron saint of builders, architects, fireworks, and lightning. The colors red and white are associated with St. Barbara, who in the Afro-Cuban tradition is recognized as “Chango”.

MIDWAY COLLECTOR BANNERS

(images below)  All 120” x 180”

The Midway was literally framed in fourteen Carney-style banners depicting the most prominent art collectors of South Florida, circa 2001: Martin Z. Margulies, Ella Cisneros, Carlos and Rosa de la Cruz, Richard and Ruth Shack, The Rubell Family, George Lindeman, Mickey Wolfson, Arturo Mosquera, Dennis and Debra Scholl, The Sackner’s, The Orin’s, Jorge Perez, The Robbins, The Mora’s, The Taplin's, The Brahmans and Marvin Ross Friedman.

IMAGE CREDIT:

1. 1)Buena Vista Yard - presently MidtownMiami
   

2. 2)VIDEO:
   

3. 3)Installation shot of one of the seven performance stage. Peoticus / Cubanicus /

4) Installation shot of Teo Castellanos.

5) Installation shot of New World Students String Quartet

6) Fireworks over the installation

MIDWAY COLLECTOR BANNERS

(images below)  All 120” x 180”

The Midway was literally framed in fourteen Carney-style banners depicting the most prominent art collectors of South Florida, circa 2001: (images Below)