Kolkoz Unveil New Site Specific Installation For Art Basel Miami

Kolkoz

The Mayor of Miami, Tomás Regalado has unveiled a major new installation, ‘Curiosity’ by French artist duo Kolkoz, an ambitious work created especially for Art Basel in Miami Beach. Presented by Audemars Piguet in partnership with prestigious art gallery Galerie Perrotin, ‘Curiosity’ takes the form of a snow covered chalet floating in front of the iconic modernist structure of the Miami Marine Stadium. The new installation will be home to the haute horology brand’s events throughout the week before opening to the public on 8 and 9 December, and runs alongside the Audemars Piguet booth in the Collectors’ Lounge, which features a retrospective of the iconic Royal Oak watch model. Audemars Piguet initiated its partnership with Art Basel at Art Basel’s show in Hong Kong in May 2013 and has its first presence at Art Basel in Miami Beach from 5 to 8 December, 2013.
 
Benjamin Moreau and Samuel Boutruche, who make up Kolkoz, have long explored the interchange between the real and the virtual realms. Following on from their 2012 installation “Luna Park”, which saw a recreation of the lunar landing site of Apollo 11 appearing as a live football pitch on Miami Beach, the duo this year introduce another incongruous installation to the Miami landscape. The snowy scene floats as if aboard an iceberg in the tropical Miami sea, playfully alluding to Audemars Piguet’s wintery home in the Vallée de Joux appearing in the heat of the December Florida sun. The stillness of the pristine Swiss valley is also referenced as the chalet mysteriously and quietly popped up in front of a once dynamic powerboat racing venue.
 
Completed in 1963, the 6,566 seat Miami Marine Stadium was the first purpose-built powerboat racing stadium in the United States when Miami was at the epicenter of the sport. The stadium also played host to iconic cultural performances on a floating stage. After the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the Miami Marine Stadium closed to the public and the location has since become a haven for street artists. There are now major plans to renovate the structure and original architect Hilario Candela is greatly involved in the initiative to historically restore the stadium back to its former glory.
 
Audemars Piguet also have a presence in the Collectors’ Lounge at Art Basel in Miami Beach, welcoming guests to a dedicated space featuring a selection of exceptional historic and contemporary timepieces. The presentation includes highlights from the 2012 touring exhibition, “From Avant-garde to Icon”, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of Audemars Piguet’s stainless steel Royal Oak model, a timepiece that revolutionized fine watchmaking. Visitors can view a historic display featuring classic pieces from the brand’s 138-year history and a watchmaker’s bench, while guided tours by watch specialists complement the experience.
 
The Audemars Piguet lounge in Miami Beach also showcases works by acclaimed British photographer Dan Holdsworth.  Recognized for his striking depictions of natural landscape, Holdsworth has captured the timeless spirit of the Vallée de Joux, Audemars Piguet’shome in one of Europe’s remote and pristine forest regions. The presentation in Miami Beach is the third display of Holdsworth’s images, which have previously travelled to the Art Basel shows in Hong Kong and Basel.
 
Still in the hands of its founding families, Audemars Piguet is committed to artistry and a spirit of independence. Commenting on the new artwork, Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors said, “Audemars Piguet continues to pursue its commitment to innovation with a long-term partnership as global Associate Partner of Art Basel and we were delighted to announce our new artistic partnership with such an ambitious project. We hope the new work provides an exciting and unusual talking point for visitors in Miami Beach. Kolkoz’s playful and ambitious work is a great way of bringing Audemars Piguet’s spirit of independence to Miami Beach and we look forward to developing further artistic partnerships in the future.”
 
Mayor of Miami Tomás Regalado said: “This is an important night for the future of Biscayne Bay, for the arts and for all of Miami. I would like to thank Audemars Piguet for all of their enthusiasm and passion for this project. Who would have thought that a Swiss chalet would be floating here in the bay of Miami? Tonight we can celebrate an important moment for art and history, both of which have been blended in this site.”

On show for the duration of the fair

Location: Miami Marine Stadium, Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
 

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