Artful books give insight and inspiration to Miami’s distinct credo and culture.
“Making Miami” publication. Photos by Stephan Goettlicher. Courtesy Exile Projects and Jayaram. PHOTO BY STEPHAN GOETTLICHER, COURTESY EXILE PROJECTS AND JAYARAM
Independent publishers open the door to sharing alternative and remarkable stories, collating dimensional perspectives, challenging the status quo, and celebrating unarticulated moments. Three must-read creative publications pictorially reveal America’s credos and celebrate Miami’s love for “cafecitos” and contemporary art.
I Fought the Law: Photographs by Olivia Locher of the Strangest Laws from Each of the 50 States
A timely chronicle ahead of the 2024 Presidential Elections, I Fought the Law is a humor-filled pictorial interpretation of outlandish laws, both past and currently published, from all American States. Enacted pop-inspired photographs created over three years by artist Oliver Lochner humorously depict laws such as “in Florida a person may not appear in public clothed in liquid latex.” These 112 color-filled pages are accompanied by an interview between Lochner and art professional Eric Shiner, with an intro by poet Kenneth Goldsmith. Available at PAMM Shop in the Peréz Art Museum Miami lobby and online at shop.pamm.org
“I Fought The Law: Photographs by Olivia Locher of the Strangest Laws from Each of the 50 States” shop.pamm.org PHOTO: COURTESY OF PAMM SHOP
Ventanitas: A Window into Miami’s Coffee Culture
Your “cafecito” table is incomplete without Daniela Pérez Miron’s Ventanitas, a 245-page tome published by the poetry nonprofit O, Miami. Featuring nostalgic imagery by Miami-based photographer Gesi Schilling, Ventanitas is a charismatic celebration of the people and places that make up the ritualistic pastime of sipping coffee and sharing stories. A foreword by chef Michelle Bernstein and interviews and poems by Miamians collected by O, Miami over the years are published among 48 featured iconic coffee destinations in Miami. Ventanitas is available at omiami.org and Dale Zine dalezineshop.com
“Ventanitas: A Window into Miami’s Coffee Culture” omiaim.org, dalezineshop.com PHOTO: BY GESI SCHILLING COURTESY O,MIAMI
Making Miami: The Story of an Art Community
The rise of Miami as a contemporary art destination is a layered trajectory, including local art community participation underrepresented until Making Miami. Sixty documented conversations between creatives, collectors, gallerists and curators share intimate accounts and documentation from their experiences working in the city from 1996 to today. Published in 2023 by EXILE Projects and Jayaram in tandem with an exhibition during Art Week, Making Miami adds vital firsthand accounts to the city’s growing history. Making Miami is available at local independent bookshop, Books and Books.
“Making Miami: A Story of an Art Community” Available at Books and Books PHOTO: BY STEPHAN GOETTLICHER COURTESY OF EXILE PROJECTS AND JAYARAM
Photography by: Photos: Courtesy Exile Projects and Jayaram; By Stephan Goettlicher; Courtesy of PAMM Shop; By Gesi Schilling Courtesy O Miami
