So, remember that sculpture park of dogs and cats that Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo wants to pay almost $1 million for? You know, the one he and his wife Marjorie sprung (read: forced) on the Bayfront Park Management Trust that led to the resignation of one board member?
Well, the city’s Arts in Public Places committee has kind of taken the wind out of his sails.
And they’re doing it for free.
The committee has approved the installation of six oversized dog sculptures throughout Brickell and the downtown. And these colorful canines, made entirely of recycled material, come with a message.
Read related: Bayfront Park board member resigns on Joe Carollo’s $1 mil no-bid giveaway
“We want to create awareness of wastefulness,” said Isabelle Londji, client relations manager at Avant Gallery in Brickell City Center, adding that the dogs had just delivered that message in New York City’s garment district, where “they have created quite a buzz.
“We brought these fun dogs already down here. They are ready to be installed,” Longi said in March.
“They are fun. They’re absolutely interactive for any age,” Longi said.
Four times the size of the actual breeds, the dog sculptures are also coated in a resin layer that makes them waterproof and bolted down on block pedestals strong enough to withstand hurricane force winds — not that they’ll be in place that long. It’s a temporary public exhibit, Longi said, for six months at the longest. “Maybe three.”
The installation is called Doggy Bags and was created by artist Will Kurtz. Each dog of a different breed is made of a steel skeleton with recycled single-use plastic bags and duct tape. They not only depict the characteristics and personality of each breed, they also provide public commentary about wastefulness and recycling.
Efren Nuñez, the city of Miami’s public art manager, said he was looking at various locations to place the large pooches, including Brickell Park, The Underline and Mary Brickell Village.
“The idea is to create more of a scavenger hunt for the residents in this area,” Nuñez said. “These pieces of artwork seek to do that.”
He also said this was at no cost to the public. “Other than the permits.”
Compared to Carollo’s canine complex — which clocked in at $896,000, $750K for the sculptures, $31,000 for model milling and rubber molds and $115,000 for aluminum casting — this is a real bargain.
Especially since it looks so damn boring. A bunch of metal dogs and cats crowding the green space at Maurice Ferre Park by the Perez Art Museum Miami. Yawn. They’re kinda ugly. What does Joe Carollo know about art?
But for some reason, the trust board approved it with no discussion, just Carollo’s strong recommendation. And, according to the board member who resigned, Cristina Palomo, this is just one example of increased expenditures at the Bayfront Park Trust since Carollo became the chairman.
Why is Crazy Joe’s sculpture park so expensive? Some sources say the middle man is making a cut.
Or is it because it also includes cats?
Competing dog sculpture installment paints Joe Carollo’s pet park as pricey added by Ladra on
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