I absolutely love street art. Its typically vibrant colors, its originality, and yes, its accessibility when it comes to interpreting what I’m looking at. My apologies to conceptual art enthusiasts—I can’t look at a urinal in the center of a bleak, gray room and claim I can see more than just that: a fucking urinal. Luckily, I wouldn’t have to put my pseudo-intellectual cap on and pretend otherwise; not in Miami.
It didn’t take me long after my arrival to realize the integral role street art plays in the city’s artistic makeup. It’s everywhere! Still, I was curious to find out whether there was a specific neighborhood where it was concentrated. Wynwood Walls popped up immediately when I did my obligatory search for “street art [insert city name]” during my trip to south Florida.
It’s easier to find a water heater repairman in the desert than it is to find free parking in Wynwood (much like in most of Miami/Hollywood/Fort Lauderdale), so budget for that if you’re driving.
To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. I felt like a child tripping on acid at Toys’R’Us! I wanted to take in everything there was to see. To admire, interpret, and photograph this never-ending festival of color in the three hours I had allotted for this outing. My friend Alex isn’t a fan of street art, and I wanted to be cognizant of that and not abuse his patience. Were it not for that, I surely would have spent an entire day exploring Wynwood.
I’m extremely grateful that, aside from the sidewalks that surrounded the few clubs and shops, the place was deserted! I was able to take pictures at leisure and stop to reflect on whatever I was seeing without interruptions.
Among all the buildings completely adorned with colors, you’ll find the one whose outside is but an appetizer to what you’ll find within: the Unicorn Factory! I must say, however, that I did not venture inside. With tickets marked at nearly $40, it didn’t seem like a fair price for a visit that, according to Google reviews, is over in less than 15 minutes. Still, if price is not a factor to you, it may be worth checking out.
Here, art is everywhere, and everything is art!
And I really mean everything!
Even buildings are pieces of art in and of themselves!
You can see why it was inevitable that I would become completely enamored with the idea of relocating here. And this is only half of what I got! Be sure to check out the second part of this post for more treats to the eyes!
What are your favorite places to appreciate street art? Share your recommendations and experiences below!
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