MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mana Contemporary is proud to announce a lineup of exhibitions, programs, pop-ups, and other events for Miami Art Week 2017, which will span two neighborhoods in Wynwood and across Mana’s new locations in Downtown Miami. Mana is among several other institutions who will host programs in the historic district of Downtown Miami for the first time during this year’s Miami Art Week.
Kicking off the week will be a performance by Björk, organized by III Points on Tuesday, December 5 at Mana Wynwood. Mana Wynwood’s annual VIP reception and preview will take place on Wednesday, December 6, which will include a presentation of works by Samson Young (Hong Kong) from his “Muted Situations” series, along with two new exhibition openings. Exquisite Corpse: Moving Image in Latin American and Asian Art, organized by Asia Society Museum (New York), Mana Contemporary, and Smack Mellon, presents a selection of video and new media works by leading contemporary artists from across Latin America and Asia. The second exhibition Don’t believe their lies: Four contemporary artists from Colombia (an initiative of Thibault Poutrel) will feature a selection of works principally from the collection of London-based French collector Thibault Poutrel and is curated by patron, collector, and art historian Catherine Petitgas. Both exhibitions will be on view to the public from Thursday, December 7–Sunday, December 10, 2017.
Pinta and PRIZM art fairs will also take place on Mana’s campuses this year. Pinta will return to Mana Wynwood, presenting modern and contemporary art from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal, and the 5th edition of PRIZM Art Fair will be held at the historic 777 building in Downtown Miami. PRIZM will explore an array of narratives shaping the Diasporic experience in widespread geographies across the globe including Iran, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and the United States.
In addition, Mana has recently partnered with Clocktower to create “Focus on Puerto Rico,” a new residency program dedicated to artists from Puerto Rico and the Diaspora, which will also include open studios, programming, and an exhibition for Miami Art Week. Focus on Puerto Rico aims to provide a larger public platform for both local and international contemporary artists of the Puerto Rican Diaspora. Located in Downtown Miami, open studios and supplementary programs will begin on Thursday, December 7 and run through Sunday, December 10.
The newly established Mana BSMT New Media Program (NMP) will take over a block of storefronts in Downtown Miami to present Flatland—a group exhibition of new work by seventeen digital artists exploring alternative realities, curated by BSMT Director Grace Franck. Spanning five storefronts, Flatland is a journey through multiple dimensions featuring the latest technologies in VR, anamorphic 3D projection mapping, motion capture, biosensors, and more. VIP tours and press previews will take place on Tuesday, December 5 (12–6pm). A public reception will be held on Thursday (8pm–2am) in the “Flatland” storefront (54 SE 1st Street), which will feature a special performance by resident Freeka Tet followed by live DJ sets (lineup to be announced soon).
Also at Mana Downtown in a former thrift store at Flagler Station, BSMT resident Azikiwe Mohammed will present Jimmy’s Thrift, a performative installation of the artist’s fictional thrift store, Jimmy’s Thrift of New Davonhaime. New Davonhaime—a location conceived by Mohammed—is an amalgamation of the names of the five most densely populated Black cities in America: New Orleans, Detroit, Jackson, Birmingham, and Savannah. Jimmy’s Thrift of New Davonhaime was created to serve as a safe space for Black and Brown people living in America.
Additionally, Equinox will lead a mass hip-hop themed yoga class, a benefit for the Felix Organization, which enriches the lives of those who grow up in the foster care system. It will include a performance by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and appearance by Hamilton star Donald Webber, Jr. The event requires registration and will take place at Mana Wynwood’s SCAD Building on Wednesday, December 6 at 12pm.
Mana Wynwood and Downtown Miami will also be home to a week of programming and events hosted by Mana’s New York and Miami-based partners, including Juxtapoz, Mana Urban Arts Project, Dale Zine, Bushwick Collective, and O, Miami (among many others). Additional programs and information will be announced on Mana’s website at manamiamiartweek.com.
ABOUT MANA CONTEMPORARY
Founded in 2011, Mana Contemporary is dedicated to providing a platform for contemporary art and artists through exhibitions, studio programs, and public programs. Mana’s community network began in New Jersey and has since expanded to include Mana Chicago (2013) and Mana Miami (2015). Mana Contemporary continues to create new partnership opportunities that explore the intersection of contemporary art, design, new technologies, and music. For more information, visit www.manacontemporary.com.