With Perez Art Museum, South Florida has created its own version of the MET

Posted November 18, 2014

By VALERIE LOPEZ

“I love walking through this spare space with rectangular lines and glass windows while enjoying the beautiful exhibitions. I wish Miami had more museums like the PAMM so I could get lost in all of them,” said a visitor, Maria Sierra, as she walked around the hydroponic gardens hanging outside of Miami’s newest art acquisitions.

IMG_8992The Pritzker Prize-winning Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron were responsible of designing Miami’s new modern art museum. The space opened to the public last fall during Miami Art Basel 2013 after causing a great deal of controversy in the city for its change of name, bold architecture, and artist exhibitions. Despite the criticism, this place is one of the must-visit attractions in Miami.

PAMM is the abbreviation of the Pérez Art Museum Miami, a name that caused controversy back in 2011 when billionaire real estate developer Jorge M. Pérez demanded to put this name on the structure for donating $40 million in art and cash.

The space is located in Museum Park as part of the new developing downtown plan in front of the Biscayne Bay.

art_days_297It is neighbors with the Frost Museum of Science, The American Airlines Arena and a freeway that connects Miami with Miami Beach.

PAMM is organized in four different gallery types: Overview, Focus, Project and Special Exhibition.

The Overview occupies part of the first and the second floor. This section exhibits the museum’s collection and it’s the connection between the other spaces. On the other had, the Focus and Project galleries showcase specific artist, collections and commissioned work.

It also offers a view of the Museum Park, Downtown Miami, Biscayne Bay and the MacArthur Causeway. The last gallery space is the Special Exhibition, which is used to show contemporary exhibitions and sometimes placed on subdivided walls.

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The architecture of the places is enchanting and magical. It stays away from the Art Deco Miami that emphasizes on box type building with pastel colors and neon signs.

It also disregards the Spanish influence architecture prominent in Coral Gables. In fact, the museum is perfect balance between nature and a minimalist structure.

“My favorite part of the museum is the view of the bay and that I can sit on the wide stairs that connect it the waterfront,” said Andrea Osorio, a regular visitor.

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The place itself is a masterpiece with exhibitions and contemporary permanent galleries.

The current exhibition “Jardim Botânico” is a dance of color, flowers, and arabesques by Brazilian artist Beatriz Milhazes. The art works complement the space by bringing more life and color.

The view from the patio is picturesque as people enjoy daytime and evening entertainment and dining at the Verde, waterfront restaurant and bar or just sitting on the veranda inspired outside area.

Miami has become the mecca of art during December for more than a decade thanks to the Art Basel Miami Beach gathering that attracts thousands of exhibitors and collectors around the world. This museum is the proof of the city’s cultural growth and development.

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This space has brought hope to the art lovers in town and the cultural scene by showcasing world-class Hispanic artists. This complements the cities Latin culture, which goes beyond the nightlife and superficial entertainment.

As Andrea Osorio said, “Miami finally has its own MET.”

If You Go

Pérez Art Museum

  • http://www.pamm.org
  • 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Fla. 33132
  • 305-375-3000
  • info@pamm.org
  • Museum hours: Mondays: Closed, Tuesdays – Sundays : 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Admission to PAMM: Members: free; children (under 6), free;  active U.S. Military (with ID), free; adults, $16; seniors (62+ with ID), $12; students (with ID), $12; youth (ages 7-18), $12.

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