Concepto I

Learn more about Art in Public Places' newest sculpture, "Concepto I" by Zilia Sánchez.

Public Safety Building (Eternal Vigilance)

Shane Allbritton & Norman Lee 2022

The sculpture evokes interwoven eternal flames, creating a gesture of departmental unity and collaboration between police, fire, and communication operators.  The form of the flames is expressed as a translucent void space within a vessel of stacked glass, appearing as an iconic beacon that marks the main entrance plaza of the new Public Safety Building. 

Underneath the stacked glass, water flows up and over a granite base with etched names of fallen responders. 

At night, LED lighting within the water dramatically illuminates the interwoven flames, creating a dynamic flickering effect.

Venice in the Gables

Eight foot tall replicas of Venetian mooring posts (paline), resembling the picturesque canal posts for the gondolas of Venice, graced the streets of downtown Coral Gables for a temporary exhibit inviting visitors and residents to interact with the new streetscape.

Posts were designed and painted by local artists, supported by sponsors, and made available at the end of the exhibit for purchase at a charitable auction. This community art project was just one of the many ways we encourage the public to explore our vibrant downtown area and contribute to the economic vitality of this pedestrian-friendly oasis. The finial design of the Venetian art post is based on the same design as the entrance finial of the historic administration building once located on Coral Way and Ponce de Leon Boulevard in the 1920s. 

The Truth is I Welcome You

Hank Willis Thomas

Speech bubble signs on light posts along Miracle Mile feature messages of truths in 22 of the most spoken languages of the community. 

Artwork Locations:

• 200-300 Blocks of Miracle Mile – 22 speech bubble signs with excerpts from the poem “the truth is i am you” written by Hank Willis Thomas and Ryan Alexiev 
• Harriet and Annie (Capri), Lola B. Walker Pioneers’ Park, Grand Ave. & Lincoln Drive
• Ernest and Ruth (Exuberant Pink), Miracle Mile 380 Miracle Mile (Coral Way)
• Saverjo and Daisy (Navel), by the Venetian Pool parking lot, De Soto Blvd. & Almeria Ave.
• Josephine and Kazumi (Real Red), Jaycee Park, Hardee Road & Cabellero Blvd.

This project is sponsored in part by the Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council of Arts and Culture and the State of Florida and was recognized by Art Basel, Winter 2018-2019.

Sun Stories

Jessy Nite - 2019 

Inspired by Coral Gables' history and tropical life in South Florida, local artist Jessy Nite created bright words, phrases, and a poem suspended over Giralda Plaza. Letters stretched and moved across the plaza throughout the day bringing a bit of history, a splash of color, and light reflection to this popular location.

Fun Facts About Sun Stories:

• Best viewing times were 10am-6pm
• Between 8-10am the letters reflected on Le Jeune Road in front of Giralda Plaza
• The text swept across the plaza from west to east, reacting to the rising and setting of the sun
• The text was especially sharp mid day (noon/1pm)
• Phrases were grouped by color
• A poem by Jessy Nite was incorporated, inspired by Coral Gables and a connection between George Merrick and his mother
• Spanish and French were used to represent the diversity of Coral Gables
• Sun Stories was narrated by the sun because it is a main character in all the lives of people who live in South Florida

Blue Night

Kiki Smith 2021 & 2022 

Kiki Smith

Blue Night

Kiki Smith's site-inspired installation, Blue Night, consisted of forty-two animal constellations. Kiki has long been fascinated with the heavens, human relationship to nature, and constellations. The animal constellation artworks were made from transparent blue plexiglass sheets with mirrored drawings bonded to the surface with each figure highlighting the stars comprising the actual constellations on both sides of the artwork. Holographic vinyl caught sunlight during the day and ambient light at night. 

The exhibition included an AR experience where people could transform the original drawings and move them to align with the constellation or position for an inspired selfie.

Blue Night was sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. Blue Night augmented reality (AR) was made possible in part with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.

Pause

Rafael Barrios - 2019 

Rafael Barrios explores and sculpts concepts that challenge our perception of depth and movement, encouraging a sense of curiosity and wonder. Currently installed on Alhambra Circle, west of LeJeune Road.