Of course, I can go and on. I fear, however that my writing stamina is matching my art fair stamina. I’m tapped out, thus the gap of a few days that I’m trying to fill now.

Saturday was my day to wander the Design District across the Bay, followed by mundane but necessary groceries. I always like to see what I call a dystopian homage to commercialism. The overblown modern architecture housing Hucci, Pucci, Gucci, and more luxury fashion emporiums which people leave loaded with large and small packages. Not me … I just want to see the displays.

Gucci created a garden in one corner with a sweeping abstract mural by American artist Corydon Cowansage.

Centered in the plaza was a 16 foot high giant Snow Globe in the North Plaza. The miniatures in the globe represent the expanse of the Gucci kingdom.

Speaking of murals, the corner of the historic Moore Building, now a private club et al, above the original neighborhood post office, now Patek Phillip, is an homage to the late, beloved psychic Walter Mercado. This massive rendering of Mario Ayala’s “Mucho Mucho Amor (Bumper Sticker)” replaces last year’s graceful mermaid.

Other new murals include Bony Ramirez’s first public art project and Caribbean celebration in the Palm Court, “Musa Coccinea.” His lithe female figure recalls the “Musa Coccinea,” or scarlet banana, an ornamental plant.

I was entranced by “Living the Dream,” a mural by New York-based artist Alteronce Gumby in Jade Alley. Upon close inspection, I found that it is made of glittering glass pieces.

Exploring  the District is like a scavenger hunt, in and out of buildings and shops. I found Laurie Simmons and Peter Wheelwright’s installation Kaleidoscope (…Bigger) House, a so-called participatory experience and interactive space, hidden in the foyer of a quiet building. Some AI features were the interactive part of the work; I chose to pass them by.

Yet again, another commissioned installation has been added to the walkways throughout the District. This year, it’s Nicole Nomsa Moyo’s “Pearl Jam,” sculptural pieces that are inspired by the bright, colorful traditions of South African Ndebele women (see 5 December 2-24 post). These pieces are scattered around the passages for kids to climb on and others to take a seat. Intricately beaded orbs are suspended from the trees.

The artist led a beading workshop at Design Miami on the final day of the art fair. One day, I’ll continue the piece I started under her guidance.

And then there was the new Nader Sculpture Park at the northern reaches of the District. Another contribution to the city’s cultural fiber by gallerist Gary Nader. Artists represented at this time include Fernando Botero, Richard Hudson, Carlos Cruz-Diez, Bernar Venet, and Robert Indiana. I realize it’s in its formative stages, but it was pretty bleak; a circular walkway and bare gravel paved areas. I imagine as the “park” is developed, the art will blend with additional nature.

Among the featured works on display was “WAR TO WAR” by Iraqi sculptor Ahmed Al- Bahrani. Bahrani has created portraits of political, religious and pop personalities, among others, carrying all type of armaments. I’m sure there’s some deep-seated message to the collection; I did not get it. Nor did I see any humor in the juxtapositions of individuals whose essence support peace holding weapons.

Two pop-up galleries by luminaries of the commercial world were the LVMH Culture House and Cartier’s Trinity100. The work of local artist Kandi Lopez stood out at the Culture House, as did the display of Repossi sapphire jewelry, overshadowed by the faces of Tanzanian involved in the mining of the stones.

Once again, Cartier transformed an empty storefront into a magical wonder house to celebrate 100 years of Cartier’s iconic Trinity collection.

Among the five spaces in which the story was unfolded was a room dedicated to Jean Cocteau, who popularized the Trinity ring in the 1930s.

My scavenger hunt ended at the large Jungle Plaza and Jaguar’s Copy Nothing installation. The open-air space of the Plaza was filled with several colorful installations designed by some British contemporary artists. Visitors were led to Jaguar’s new, distinctive design vision concept, a new brand modernist identity (https://www.jaguar.com/copy-nothing/index.html); the response has been less than complimentary.

I know it’s a prototype, but I wish they would not copy the harsh lines of the abominableTesla cybertruck …

One more mural from Day One when Constant Companion and I had an evening stroll through a bit of the District. This one honors the conductor of the Miami Symphony Orchestra. Lovely …