“If you’ve seen them before, you know. If you haven’t, this is your moment.” That’s what people have to say about a musical collective holding one of the many events coming to Ocean Drive at the end of this month.
And the night of vintage funk, psychedelic grooves, and West African polyrhythm is just one of the enticing highlights that form part of the larger series “From Venice with Love.”
From Venice with Love is a unique exhibition of the works of Haitian artist Edouard Duval-Carrié, a contemporary visual artist born and raised in Haiti, later living in Puerto Rico, New York, Montreal, and Paris in his teenage years before finally settling down in Miami.
Edouard Duval-Carrié.
@just_a_spectator
His works were recently selected to be shown in the 61st Venice Biennale, an internationally-renowned cultural art exhibition. In his work, Duval-Carrié explores themes like migration and memory, morphing his experiences into deeply personal luminous sculptures and mixed media paintings.
Instead of simply exhibiting his works, The Betsy Writers Room and FIU Public Humanities Lab (with support from The Jorge Perez Family Foundation’s CreARTE Grant) helped support a project with a much larger collective impact.
With community connection at the heart of the initiative, “From Venice With Love” will include free public programming such as the upcoming concert, as well as curated academic salons.
Naturally, the initiative will also include a complete immersive visual takeover of Miami’s iconic Betsy Hotel. Duval-Carrié’s work will completely fill up The Betsy Gallery, and 26 of his essence-filled light boxes will illuminate the hotel’s BBar, creating the perfect ambiance for community gatherings throughout the exhibition.
The total of four events that will form part of the “From Venice with Love” project are:
• August 22 – Curated Conversations: Roots and Canvas: Tracing Miami’s Haitian Art Legacy
• August 23 – From Venice With Love: Music, Art + Conversation
• August 30 – Diaspora Vibe Afro Beat All Stars @ Lummus Park Promenade Series
• October 31 – From Venice With Love Paella Party at The Betsy