Culture

Where art meets infrastructure: the underline as Miami’s linear cultural hub

A striking bronze sculpture emerges under the steel and glass canopy of Miami’s Metrorail: a hand, two fingers raised in a gesture open to interpretation—peace, victory, or perhaps defiance.

Por: Alejandro Carrillo November 29, 2024

Where art meets infrastructure: the underline as Miami’s linear cultural hub / Photo via Art Basel

This is Duality, a work by artist Hank Willis Thomas, unveiled in May 2023 as part of The Underline, a transformative 10-mile urban park featuring curated public artworks in collaboration with Miami-Dade’s Art in Public Places program.

Rising like a spectral beacon, the sculpture’s smooth curves reach skyward from its concrete base at the confluence of the Miami River, serving as a poignant reminder of humanity amid the city’s relentless evolution. Against a backdrop of cranes and shimmering skyscrapers, Duality stands steadfast—a symbol of endurance and hope.

Reflecting on his creation, Thomas shares, “We don’t often see monuments dedicated to love. My work uses the heart as a vessel to plant seeds of hope, fostering intimacy and care in public spaces.” Encircled by lush native plants and open community areas, Duality aligns seamlessly with The Underline’s mission to unite art, nature, and human connection.

Beneath the tracks

Brickell, the neighborhood housing this artistic venture, tells a tale of transformation. Once an untamed expanse flanked by the Miami River, Biscayne Bay, and subtropical wilderness, the area was a dense maze of oak trees and wild underbrush. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that Mary Brickell, a pioneering visionary, saw its potential.

In 1896, the Florida East Coast Railway, spearheaded by Henry Flagler, heralded a new era of development. By the 1920s, Brickell Avenue became synonymous with wealth, lined with Beaux-Arts and Mediterranean-style mansions serving as winter retreats for industrial tycoons—earning it the moniker “Millionaires’ Row.”

Post-World War II, Brickell underwent a seismic shift. Grand estates were replaced by towering condominiums with avant-garde designs, and by the 1970s, the area had become a burgeoning financial hub, earning its nickname “the Manhattan of the South.” Today, sleek glass skyscrapers dominate the skyline, juxtaposed with a vibrant street culture that pulses with energy.

The Underline, a centerpiece of Brickell’s cultural renaissance, reimagines the space beneath the Metrorail as a linear park blending nature, art, and community. Inspired by projects like New York’s High Line, this ambitious initiative seeks to reconnect neighborhoods, enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and restore over 120 acres of natural habitats.

Art-driven revival

Already, the Brickell Backyard section of The Underline boasts an eclectic array of artistic installations. These include Typoe Gran’s vibrant sculpture garden of oversized building blocks, Cara Despain’s Water/Tables, a playable ping-pong table, and Jeppe Hein’s interactive Modified Social Bench for Venice #04. Together, these pieces infuse the urban environment with creativity and engagement.

As Brickell continues to evolve, it encapsulates Miami’s broader reinvention—a city where art becomes an integral part of public spaces and daily life. Projects like The Underline challenge conventional urban design, transforming financial districts into vibrant, community-driven cultural hubs. Here, art meets architecture, reshaping the city’s landscape while embracing its dynamic identity.

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Where art meets infrastructure: the underline as Miami’s linear cultural hub

Beneath the tracks

Art-driven revival

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Beneath the tracks

Art-driven revival

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