Welcome to the Knight Arts Blog Round-Up, a biweekly look at what's happening in the South Florida Arts community. This week: Art & Advertising, Arsht Season Aims Right Up the Middle, South Florida Full-Sized Orchestra, Video Spotlight: The Miami Light Project

Art & Advertising

The contemporary art world is such an insular place. It often makes you wonder

what’s the point of it all? And what does any of it have to do with the real-world? And seeing Art & Copy, a documentary by director Doug Pray about the advertising industry strenghtens my doubts. How, you may ask, is a documentary about the advertising industry so pertinent to the world of art? Well, aside from a general history lesson of the ad business, the film did a great job highlighting some of the industry’s most seminal campaigns - everything from iconic Nike slogan, “Just Do It” to continue reading...

Arsht Season Aims Right Up the Middle

We’re about one week away from the start of the new season at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts — and I’m not exactly counting down the days. Not that this looks to be a bad season. Oh, no. There is absolutely, 100 percent, no risk that this season will be anything but crowd-pleasingly, seat-fillingly, solidly good. Ho hum...I am happy to see the resident companies plugging away despite economic woes, and always look forward to performances by the continue reading...

Does South Florida Need a Full-Sized Orchestra?

The early December return of former Florida Philharmonic conductor James Judd to area concert stages revives the notion of whether this part of the country needs a full-time major orchestra. The answer to that depends on what it is you’re looking for. If a good musical experience is what you want, this area now has many chamber-sized orchestras, larger groups & college groups. There are those who argue that full-time orchestras in major cities are an anachronism rooted in the empire-building days of the late 19th century continue reading...

Video Spotlight: The Miami Light Project

Local and original performance art has had a home at the Miami Light Project since 1989. The nonprofit organization produces live music, dance and theater performances throughout the year. In 2008, its Here & Now Festival was awarded $200,000 to expand the festival and establish an annual residence & retreat program for commissioned artists. Artistic executive director Beth Boone and artist Rosie Herrera showcase their work thus far in this video continue reading...