Art Miami is excited to announce that award-winning artist Kaarina Kaikkonen of Galerie Forsblom will be debuting a unique palmtree installation at Art Miami’s 22nd edition, which runs November 29-December 4, 2011. The idea for the installation, titled “As A Tree, I Can Feel The Wind” was produced by one of the most influential Finnish artists in the industry and is part of an ongoing, worldwide project that began in Finland in 1988 and has now arrived stateside at Art Miami in the burgeoning Wynwood Arts District. Kaikkonen creates her internationally recognized outdoor installations by stringing second-hand clothing to construct outlines in well-known spaces, whether it’s across open areas or along urban infrastructures. While her latest outdoor installations can be found in Venice and St. Petersburg, Kaikkonen was drawn to Miami for its explosive contemporary art scene.
“I was thrilled to bring my installation to Art Miami because of the high-quality galleries and crowds of collectors this fair draws each year — the people and collectors here appreciate forward-thinking art,” said Kaikkonen. “I thought it would be especially fitting to showcase my message of boundaries and space on an iconic symbol of Miami — the palm tree.”
For Kaikkonen’s Art Miami installation, four live palm trees will be completely dressed with men’s white shirts and will greet visitors at the north and south entrances of the Art Miami Pavilion. The installation will greet the thousands of Art Miami guests who attend to acquire highly anticipated works by internationally acclaimed artists from more than 110 galleries.
“We are excited and honored to have Kaarina’s Kaikkonens installation complement the entrance way of the Art Miami fair,” said Nick Korniloff, Director of Art Miami. “She is an amazing talent that will create an ambience and message outside the fair that will last in the memories of all those who attend Art Miami 2011.”
Known for her urban landscaping skills and her ability to emphasize the community around her with her outdoor installations, Kaikkonen will be mounting the work onto the trees herself in the days before the fair. Art Miami curator, Julia Draganovic, who is an art critic with a particular interest in art in public spaces, secured Kaikkonen for the fair.
“Besides their strong visual impact of striking beauty, Kaarina Kaikkonen’s installations have a very subtle spiritual side,” said Draganovic. “Her approach to art is thought-provoking and poetic. The bright outdoor pieces draw attention and thought to the instability of our environment and, in turn, the humble position mankind should take in this world.”