Things to Do in Miami: “Olé” at Museum of Graffiti
While it’s easy for people to be drawn to the flashy marquee events at Miami Art Week, few of them can take you to another location. That’s what the Museum of Graffiti’s newest exhibition, “Olé,” promises to do, transporting visitors to São Paolo for its biggest Art Week experience yet.
“The Museum of Graffiti was built specifically to celebrate graffiti as opposed to street art,” cofounder Allison Freidin tells New Times.
While the museum has a jam-packed schedule of programming during Miami Art Week, it’s putting most of its focus on its exhibition openings: “Writers on Wax” and “Olé.”
“Writers on Wax” is a focus on graffiti association with music genres such as hip-hop, punk, and the artists who explore both street art and music. For the exhibition, the museum partnered up with Ruyzdael Music, which recently launched Writers on wax: The Sound of GraffitiThe compilation album series titled, which features tracks by producers who may be better known as graffiti artists than musicians.
But the Museum of Graffiti’s highlight for the week is, without a doubt, “Olé.”
Skolas, Finok and Thiago Negs have created works
Allison Freidin, photo
This show is both indoor and outdoor and features sculptures, paintings, and site-specific murals from Brazilian street artists Ise Thiago Nevs and Finok. All of them are part the Vlok crew that was established by Osgemeos twins. “Olé” has been in the works for some time and is a perfect example of what the Museum of Graffiti has come to represent.
“The museum presents the history of graffiti in an extremely authentic way, highlighting a variety of different artists from different decades and thoroughly explains the importance of both the artists and the timing,” Finok explains. “In this same vein, the ‘Olé’ exhibition presents a group of artists who emerged from different phases of graffiti in Brazil, specifically in São Paulo. We believe we served our city well.”
But that’s just the surface of what makes up “Olé.” While each artist has a unique style, whether that’s through sculpture, lenticular prints, or traditional painting, there is one clear theme: Brazil.
“You have graffiti artists who are pulling from folk-art traditions to really show their emotional connection with a city they’ve incorporated their artwork into the fabric of,” Freidin adds.
“‘Olé’ exhibition presents a group of artists who emerged from different phases of graffiti in Brazil, specifically in São Paulo,” says Finok.
Allison Freidin, photo
The emotional connection comes through clearly, whether through the use of Bahia bands — a Brazilian tradition where you wrap ribbons around your wrists and make three knots until they fall off and you get to make a wish — or references to the nation’s most beloved sport, soccer. (The exhibition title, “Olé,” refers to the stadium chant during soccer matches.)
The works in “Olé” range from bright colors and patterns to black-and-white images and pure-white sculptures. Even though not all of the works have the graffiti style, they still feature elements and lettering from the artists. The works displayed, despite their traditional mediums and style, still show the artist’s connection with the city.
This is evident in the artist’s use of repurposed items and imagery. Some artworks are covered with recycled spray paint cans, while others display images of graffiti art in their background. The work of Ise (AKA Claudio Duarte) shows a paint-covered hoodie with surveillance cameras and Molotov cocktails, adding an ominous tone. Another image shows a boy who left behind his ball and slingshot to write “REVOLUTION!” on the wall. All of it points to the current socio-political climate in the South American nation.
Still, one thing is clear: All the works in “Olé” were created from the artists’ love of their country — a heartache for Brazil.
“Olé” and “Writers on Wax.” On view through January 2023 at the Museum of Graffiti, 276 NW 26th St., Miami; 786-580-4678; museumofgraffiti.com. Tickets cost $16