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500exhibit

December 1, 2013 @ 11:00 am - January 19, 2014 @ 1:00 pm

500: An installation by Xavier Cortada commemorating the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de Leon journey to Florida. In 1513, he visited Key Biscayne and named it Santa Marta. Cortada’s exhibit on the island will include an installation of 500 porcelain sculptures of Florida native wildflowers– the same ones that grew in our state when Juan Ponce de Leon landed in 1513 and named it “La Florida”–from “flor,” the Spanish word for flower. The installation will be transformed into 500 gardens.

The

500
An art installation by Miami artist Xavier Cortada 
From December 1st 2013 through January 19th, 2014.

500:  An art installation by Xavier Cortada commemorating the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de Leon’s journey to Florida.  In 1513, the Spanish explorer visited Key Biscayne and named it Santa Marta. It is the only location on our peninsula we know with certainty as having hosted Ponce de Leon.

Cortada’s “500” exhibit at Key Biscayne’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Preserve will include an installation of 500 porcelain sculptures depicting Florida’s native wildflowers– the same ones that grew in our state when Juan Ponce de Leon landed in 1513 and named it “La Florida”–from “flor,” the Spanish word for flower.
"500" by Xavier Cortada
Cortada’s flower installation will be transformed into 500 living gardens across the community:
Each flower sculpture comes with a packet of Florida wildflower seeds.  Those purchasing the sculptures are asked to take both the sculpture and seeds home and plant a garden dedicated to one of 500 Floridians who helped shape Florida history during the past 500 years (or to a Floridian who is special in their lives).  To see list please visit www.flor500.com.
Proceeds from sales benefit the Biscayne Nature Center and FIU College of Architecture + The Arts student scholarships.

Media

Miami Herald | November 16, 2013

Xavier Cortada, who has traveled as far as the South Pole to further his art, will be exhibiting next. His show will commemorate the 500th anniversary of Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon’s discovery of Florida. (The setting is especially apt because historical records indicate the explorer actually visited Key Biscayne.) Working with artists and scientists, Cortada plans to fill the gallery with 500 ceramic wildflowers that represent plants that were around in Ponce de Leon’s time. The opening is set for Dec.1.

 

Walls

Opening

Flowers

Details

Start:
December 1, 2013 @ 11:00 am
End:
January 19, 2014 @ 1:00 pm

Venue

Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center
6767 Crandon Park Drive
Key Biscayne, FL 33149 United States

Organizer

Theodora Long, Executive Director, Biscayne Nature Center
Phone
305 361 6767 x 111
Email
theodoralong@biscayanenaturecenter.org