Carlos Rosso, Michela Bentel, & Jorge Perez
The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) and The Related Group will celebrate the opening of the waterfront IconBay Park in Miami’s flourishing Edgewater district on Friday, June 26. The park, built on land purchased by Related and donated to Miami-Dade County, will contain works by the winners of last year’s YoungArts’ Sculpture Competition, and will coincide with the opening of IconBay, The Related Group’s latest luxury condo development.
Carlos Rosso, Sonia Figueroa, Marc Sarnoff, Matt Allen, Jorge Perez, Jon Paul Perez, Nick Perez, Steve Patterson
First announced in late 2014, the park marks the first partnership of its kind for YoungArts, uniting public art with a residential development. The winners—selected by The Related Group’s Art Committee and other members from the local, national and international arts and architecture community— were: Ukrainian born, New York based sculptor and painter Iliya Mirochnik, symbolist sculptors Michela & Nikolas Bentel, and New York-based abstract artist Nicole Mouriño. Please find below information on their works, which will be on view in the park:
- Dream of Flight (2015) by Iliya Mirochnik, 2006 YoungArts Winner in Visual Arts
Aluminum and stainless steel
157 x 175 x 221 inches
The sculpture consists of a large, flat, geometrically ornate piece of free standing metal with a height of 13 feet. At a distance of 28 feet is a metal rod to which attach durable metal wires, stretching back to various points in the sculpture. From the wires at specific intervals are hung laser cut stainless steel birds. The sculpture was inspired by the powerful image of bird’s shadows on the ground and the meaning they have for human beings. Placed in a living environment, different lightning and weather conditions will cause a constant visual and special regeneration of the sculpture and the form it is perceived.
Granted First Prize, this proposal was chosen not only for its creativity, but also because of its interactive nature.
- Kaleidoscope 87 (2015) by Nicole Mouriño, 2006 YoungArts Winner in Visual Arts
Encaustic Tile
96 inches diameter
Kaleidoscope 87 is an 8ft diameter sculpture made of encaustic tile, specifically Cuban Tile: a method of hand dying concrete tile for exteriors/interiors popularized in Cuba in the early 1900’s. With both UV and Water sealants, Encaustic Tile becomes an excellent, beautiful exterior material. The sculpture will rest on a concrete pad, creating stunning color shifts and gradations similar to floor installations by Polly Apfelbaum.
- Miami Forest (2015) by Nikolas and Michela Bentel, 2012 YoungArts Winner in Visual Arts and 2013 YoungArts Winner in Visual Arts and Music Instrumental (respectively)
Stainless steel
3 pylons, 84 x 12 inches each
Group of 3 pylons each bearing a distinctive cut out pattern based on the leaves of natives species of trees: Gumbo Limbo, Buttonwood and Pigeon Plum. Each piece will be internally illuminated creating a beautiful mosaic of colors and forms, both determined by the tree species chosen in each case. The idea is to encourage visitors to be more aware of the native species of trees in the Miami area, which have been overshadowed by the iconic palm.
“Small, consistent steps towards infusing the city with art and culture are key to unlocking Miami’s full potential,” says Jorge Pérez, Chairman and CEO of The Related Group. He continues, “our decision to partner with YoungArts stems from Related’s deep commitment to bettering our city and this beautiful public park is a tangible representation of that promise.”
“YoungArts seeks to support and provide opportunities for young artists across the nation,” remarks Lisa Leone, Vice President of Artistic Programs. “Through partnerships like this we are not only living up to our aspirations, but are also enriching our community through the commissioning and display of public art.”
The opening of the IconBay Park will also mark The Related Group’s fourth completed condo tower in 2015. The sold-out IconBay features architecture and interior designs by the celebrated Arquitectonica and is credited as the first project to enter the now booming Edgewater district. For more information on Related’s projects in the area please visit paraisobayviews.com.