Dot Fiftyone Makes a Move
Co-Directors Isaac
Perelman and Alfredo Guzman (in background - artist Gonzales
Fuenmayor's "Tropicalia") Photo by Irene
Sperber In
2003, Dot Fiftyone Gallery began life in a dingy area of 36th
Street in Miami’s Design District. The “fiftyone” referred to the
address of 51 NW 36th Street. 51/50 is a typical slang term from
police code meaning crazy and violent, which was the neighborhood’s
modus operandi before daring artists and galleries plonked down one
by one over the past...
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Locust
Projects – “a not for profit alternative exhibition space dedicated
to providing contemporary visual artists the freedom to experiment
with new ideas without the pressures of gallery sales or
limitations of conventional exhibition spaces” – celebrated its
quinceanera in style. More than 400 art lovers and luminaries
gathered for the gala Spring Fling fundraiser on April 27 held at
the lofty, starchitectural 1111 Lincoln Road. There was food from
some of the area’s most popular restaurants and two silent
auctions: one featuring luxury items.
Too many
years ago to mention, I was in a cab going down Manhattan’s FDR
Drive when something captured my eye: the words “Crack Is Whack”
screaming from the wall of a nearby handball court. As arresting
(no pun intended) as that statement was in its powerful simplicity,
equally compelling were the bold lettering and intricately
interlaced, jazzy jumble of cartoon-like images that surrounded it.
OK, full disclosure, this was the ‘80s, and the colorful, kinetic
graffiti artwork was unlike anything I had ever
seen. 
Now
here's a lady you should meet. She's a renowned singer, performing
in English, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese her blend of American
and Latin Jazz with World Music. She's had a thirty year musical
career, entertaining all over the world, including the world famous
Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
Friends in
northern climes need at least three weeks' notice for a social
occasion, preferably offered up formally. Newcomers are chagrined
to note Miami’s last minute commitment penchant, or complete lack
of commitment thereof.
Looking for
a bit of culture that’s top notch yet easy on the pocketbook?
There’s a wonderful exhibit called ‘Florida Women in Art’ being
shown at the Nathan D. Rosen Gallery in Boca Raton. The exhibit
features four Florida women artists; Mary DeMonte, Adrienne Geffen,
Sylvia Tarshis, and Barbara Welte, who come together to make up a
colorful and exciting quartet of talent. 
