USA
The Greener Side of Miami
by Jennifer Merrick
When I imagined Miami Beach, images from Will Smith’s song, Miami, came to mind: all-night parties where the heat is on, flashy cars, splashy cocktails and scantily clad beachgoers. And yes, Miami still knows how to throw a party, and you could sip a $100 margarita, shop at designer boutiques and dance until dawn. None of these options appealed to me. Fortunately, I discovered that the Magic City has another side, a greener one, where art restores nature and where luxury embraces sustainability.
The Reefline: Art for the Ocean
“Miami and art go together like tequila and lime,” our guide joked as we toured Wynwood, a former industrial neighborhood transformed into a vibrant arts district with over 200 murals. The city’s artistic side is also evident in the Art Deco architecture and contemporary galleries in Miami Beach and the Pérez Art Museum downtown.
But the Reefline project takes art to a whole other level. Beneath the waves. Located about 780 feet offshore from 4th Street, this public art gallery requires snorkels and masks to view its works. The aim is to create permanent art installations that are not only artistically appealing, but environmentally proactive, facilitating coral regrowth and providing habitat for marine life.
“I’m a firm believer that art has the power to transform,” says Ximena Caminos.
She wanted to create a bridge between people and nature, and between the city and the ocean. Caminos collaborates with ecologists, community groups and artists to tackle the problem of the declining Great Florida Reef, the world’s third-largest barrier reef system.
We arrived by boat with Diver’s Paradise, a PADI 5-star dive center, then donned our unusual museum attire of a snorkel, mask and fins to check it out. Currently in its first phase, the gallery consists of Concrete Coral, an installation by Argentinian artist Leandro Erlich featuring 22 life-sized concrete cars, representing a traffic jam.
As I followed the line of vehicles, I was a little underwhelmed by the artwork itself. Perhaps I wasn’t artistically astute enough to fully appreciate the artist’s message, although I certainly preferred this underwater gridlock to the one I face through my windshield on my morning commute.
What did excite me was seeing colorful tropical fish like sergeant majors and blue tangs darting amongst the cars, already making themselves at home. As the project continues, additional sculptures, including a giant starfish formation and a blue whale heart, will be added to the underwater gallery.
The Palms Hotel: Sustainable Luxury
The 251-room oceanfront retreat demonstrates that luxury doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense. As a member of Beyond Green, a collection of hotels recognized for meeting rigorous sustainability standards, its environmental stewardship extends far beyond the usual towel reuse program. Compostable coffee pods replace plastic capsules, extensive recycling and water-conservation programs minimize its environmental footprint and children who help clean the beach are rewarded with complimentary ice cream. Lush tropical gardens filled with native plants create a peaceful sanctuary that is a magnet for butterflies and birds. Restaurants feature fresh, ethically sourced seafood and local seasonal ingredients, while the soothing spa, yoga classes and wellness programming reflect the Palms Hotel’s belief that caring for guests and the environment go hand in hand.
Lying on a mat in an open-air pavilion amidst its lush gardens, with a gentle breeze blowing through the palm trees, I’m guided through a sound bowl healing meditation. With every soothing note and gentle word, my body and mind sink deeper into relaxation. I drift to a blissful place that’s worlds away from Will Smith’s Miami of parties and glamour. And nothing like the city I had imagined.
