For some reason a malaise has taken me over. The usual excitement of Art Week has yet to show its bright and gleaming face. Day 3 (depends how you are counting) of the previews is upon us and I feel like I’m going through the paces. I seem to be carefully monitoring my energy, perhaps staving off the annual art saturation/burnout.

Last week, Constant Companion and I were joined by out-of-town friends and strolled through a selection of public art in Miami Beach. This was a prelude to a walking tour scheduled for Saturday (more on that later). One day last week, CC and I did our annual trek to see the third iteration of No Vacancy, Miami Beach’s juried show in 12 local hotels.

The day before yesterday, CC trekked to numerous galleries for their monthly Progressive Art Brunch with a friend (who has tagged us the Art Club). I joined for the final few after my Sunday food distribution volunteer task.

Yesterday, CC and I had a late start. Alcova, an alternative design fair, was our initial destination followed by a stop at the Design District for the opening of an exhibition of Colombian artist Fernando Botero.

What follows are some observations illustrated by visual images of what caught my eye, from architecture, art (or design), and wildlife:

Last year, CC and I missed one No Vacancy entry, the one at the International Inn on the Bay, a remarkable MIMO, mid-century modern hotel, in the northern reaches of town. This year, I stopped on my way to the grocery store and saw the work of Alette Simmons-Jimenez, Murmuration. Like much of the work already seen this week, this artist makes use of recycled and upcycled materials.

Here my first wildlife of the week caught my eye, the ubiquitous and invasive iquana taking in the pool.

Next stop – Gallery Sunday. I joined for the final two galleries, N’Namdi Contemporary Miami and Etra Gallery. This year, N’Namdi featured the politically oriented work of Tylonn J. Sawyer. His work focuses on the “intersections of American history, politics, and pop culture … through the lens of a Black queer perspective.”

And a bit of commentary about the state of affairs in which we Floridians live.

Etra’s 2023 edition “Beyond Sonorism” is a multi-sensory experience that transcends traditional artistic boundaries. Artworks in a variety of media were accompanied by a special soundtrack created for the exhibition. Labels explained the wealth of sounds associated with the creation of each piece of art – for once I appreciated lengthy labels!

Can you hear rhythmic tones, metal on metal, scraping sounds, and more?

Listen for chain saws, logs loading, band and circular saws, chiseling, microscopic vibrations …

Last stop of the day was a late afternoon, fashion and whatever showing where this imaginary iquana reminded me of Park Guell in Barcelona.

Monday … greeted by a flock of ibis

Alcova (https://alcova.xyz/), like many other fairs, is located in a hotel – the beautifully restored MIMO motel, the Selina Gold Dust Motel. There are a few reminders recording its past: the graceful diving lady and the floating staircases

Several projects caught my eye. Stillness is My Lamborghini, is an immersive performance and installation (https://oyay.co/), the work of NiFe Lucey-Brzoza (https://vividoblivion.com/). Visitors were invited to participate in the installation.

Many years ago, daughter was a champion fisherwoman. Recently, at her urging, her stash of trophies were consigned to Goodwill. I was wowed by the Objects for Objects from LA’s recycling skills. I wish our trophies find an afterlife like his amazing and colorful creations (https://objectsforobjects.com/) .

I had a brief blast to the past with WKDN Lab (https://wknd-lab.com/). Halin Lee And Eunji Jun from Seoul brought their oversized traditional knots.

3-D scanning continues to make statements. Would you believe the sculpture to the left is a scan of the artist Adarsh Nellore on the right (adarshenellore.com/artwork)?

Opera Gallery‘s gatherings always provide a fashion show. Last year it was Keith Haring, this year Botero.

Next was glammy Khyal of Megaglam (https://www.megaglam.com/).

And finally, another glimsp of wildlife to close out the evening.

Ahead are another six days of art immersion …