Wish Towers: Vizcaya Contemporary Arts Program Opening Reception

Photography by Steve Blaine on November 30th, 2022 in Miami Art Week 2022

Miami, FL – November 30, 2022 – Art Basel VIPs left the buzzle of Miami Beach on Wednesday night and ventured to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Coconut Grove for the unveiling of the estate’s Contemporary Arts Program (CAP) exhibit.

In line with the centennial of the estate’s 10-acre formal gardens, completed in 1922, this year’s exhibit–Wish Towers by Javier and Jaime Suárez Berrocal–explores how art and nature intersect at Vizcaya.

A complement to its surroundings, Wish Towers is a modular sculpture made of fossilized coral collected from Puerto Rico’s shores. Inspired by the coral limestone used throughout Vizcaya’s construction, this local stone became the artists’ focus. Twin brothers Jaime and Javier Suárez Berrocal were brought up in Puerto Rico where they were exposed to ceramics, woodworking, and fishing from an early age. Their passion for the arts and the ocean guides their interest in environmental forms of expression, and their artistic practice develops concepts and strategies that respect and protect the environment.

The commissioned work explores the relationship between the ocean and the land by serving as a vessel for mangrove propagules (seedlings). The mangrove tree straddles between the land and the ocean and is known for protecting coastlines. At Vizcaya, red mangroves support our ecosystems and provide buffering during storm surges. Jaime and Javier’s work responds to the ongoing challenges posed by climate change, including sea level rise and increases in seawater temperature, honoring Vizcaya’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The installation will remain on view through April 17, 2023. To learn more, visit Vizcaya.org/cap2022.