Bass Museum of Art
The Bass Museum of Art is an eclectic collection of European art mixed with special exhibits housed in an original 1930s Streamline building decorated with Mayan carvings. Housed on permanent display here are The Holy Family by Peter Paul Rubens, and works of art by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Albrecht Dürer. The Bass Museum of Art has recently been expanded to include a cafe and exterious sculpture gardens, as well as a whole new wing for collections. The expansion was designed by Arata Isozaki, a prominent Japanese architect. The original building was once the home of Miami Beach's first library. Now, housed in side are more than 3,000 works, 500 of which were donated by John and Johanna Bass, who lived on Miami Beach. The entire collection inside the Bass Museum of Art contains works dating back the the 1400s, up to the present. The collection also represents works from all over the world, such as Asian, Caribbean, North American, Latin American art from the seventh century up to the present. There are tapestries, ecclesiastical vestments, textiles, and contemporary design artifacts. Of particular interest are arhcitectural photographs and drawings depicting the history of design in South Beach Miami. Most of what's in the newer Isozaki wing is temporary, contemporary exhibitions.
The Bass Museum of Art is part of an arts conglomerate in historic Collins Park. Here you'll find the Miami Beach Culture Park, which houses not only the Bass, but also other cultural organizations as well. Calling the cultural park home are the Miami City Ballet and the Miami Beach Regional Library. The Ballet's facility is an Arquitectonica design. If you peek inside you might see the dancers practicing their steps.
The Building
The building that the Bass Museum of Art is housed in is an architectural attraction for many visitors to South Beach Miami. The original bulding was designed in 1930 by famous architect Russell Pancoast. The 25,000-foot addition was built in the the 1980s by Arata Isozaki, who was known for innovative designs and thoughtful creations. The original Art Deco style museum now houses offices, cafe, and lecture hall/gallery. The newer wing is for exhibitions. Located at 2121 Park Avenue, take a stroll to view the Bass Museum, both inside and out. See the keystone exterior and Gustav Gohland's bas-reliefs at the entrance. Don't miss the peaceful reflecting pool in the newer addition.
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