Emmett Moore: Miami Through an Artist’s Perspective

On the occasion of our special issue on Art Basel Miami Beach, we asked artist Emmett Moore to draw up a special artistic itinerary around Miami and the Beaches.

Emmett Moore is a Miami-based designer and sculptor. His work has been shown institutionally at the RISD Museum, the Frost Art Museum, the Miami Art Museum, and the Bass Museum of Art. In 2014, he was the first Miami-based designer to exhibit a solo project at Design Miami. Gallery shows and projects include those at Locust Projects, Miami; Patrick Parrish Gallery, New York; and Moran Bondaroff, Los Angeles. He received his BFA in Furniture Design from the Rhode Island School of Design. The artist is represented by Nina Johnson.

“I’d start any visit to Miami in Little River, also known as Little Haiti. This area has become a hub for Miami’s gallery scene and is home to two of my favorites, Nina Johnson and Bill Brady. Nina represents me and also happens to have one of the best programs in Miami.
From there I would go to Clives Café, a legendary Jamaican place. I’ve been eating their food since they’re modest beginning in a tiny hole in the wall in Wynwood. I usually get their jerk chicken with a glass of their homemade sorrel drink. They also serve a few Jamaican dishes that aren’t on the menu like Ackee and Saltfish.
After lunch I would start heading downtown to check out the Pérez Art Museum designed by the Swiss architecture giants Herzog and De Meuron. They also designed the coolest parking garage in the world at 1111 Lincoln rd. Go by Gramps in Wynwood on the way for a cool drink in their eclectic courtyard. It has a backyard jungly vibe and the walls and furniture are covered by the work of local artists, including a local legend, a Haitian Muralist named “Serge”.
After checking out the exhibitions at PAMM, take a look at the surrounding architecture from their terrace. You’ll be able to see Zaha Hadid’s “One Thousand Museum”, one of her last projects before she passed away. Also visible from PAMM is the Arquitectonica-designed American Airlines Arena, home of the Miami Heat.
Just down the street from PAMM is the usual late night end-up called The Corner if you’re ready for another drink. Right next door is an excellent new coffee shop called All Day if you’d prefer a coffee. On the other side of the street, a couple doors down is the Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation. Home to one of the best private art collections in Miami.
My absolute favorite place for dinner in downtown Miami is Soya & Pomodoro. It’s an authentic Italian place in an old Bank with high vaulted ceilings. It feels like being in Havana, especially when they have live jazz.
Mac’s Club Deuce (the oldest bar in Miami) is pretty much the only bar I go to on Miami Beach. Go there, jump in the ocean to pull yourself together then go to the French Bistro A La Folie Café for a crêpe and a glass of wine.
I am afraid that after this itinerary of art and drinking getting back to the hotel will be a bit of a challenge…”