Expanding horizons: with the Miami art world in the throes of rapid change, the author examines the impact of growth, spurred by the arrival of Art Basel, on public institutions, galleries and artists - Report From Miami

The gallery intends to focus on emerging artists from Miami and elsewhere. This month, an abstract painting show titled "Beautiful Pressure" features work by Opalka and Emilio Perez (both of whom Arias featured in Scope New York 2003), as well as by fellow Miamian Annie Wharton, San Francisco artist William Swanson and San Antonio-based artist Kim Squaglia. In a huge space next, door, lent to Rocket Projects by its landlord, Jeff Morr, three installations appear: a collective drawing by FeCuOp, a site-specific piece by David Rohn, and a video lounge with work by five young Miami artists. In Scope Miami 2003, Rocket Projects will present a mixed-medium installation by Odalis Valdivieso.

Also in the Wynwood district is the Dorsch Gallery, a 5,000-square-foot warehouse space. For almost a decade before moving to this space in 2000, Brook Dorsch operated a gallery out of his second-floor apartment south of downtown; he now lives in his gallery's back room and uses an empty house next door for installations and performances. Dorsch presents Miami artists both in solo and group shows. In January 2003, paintings by Miami resident Robert Miller were shown in the main space [see A.i.A., Nov. '03], and an installation by Rene Barge appeared in the project room. The latter, titled "tinte y textura," consisted of 11 small, subtle abstract paintings in tones of blue hanging on the walls of a dimly lit room; a meditative electronic hum created a tranquil environment, a happy pairing with Miller's abstractions with a Buddhist theme. A very different mood was generated by the mixed-media installation of the Miami art duo Guerra de la Paz in the house next door. Guerra de la Paz consists of Alain Guerra and Neralda de la Paz, who have been collaborating since 1996; together their names mean "war of peace." Their installation was a cohesive, multipart work about desire, eroticism and Christ.

Dorsch exhibited Franklin Einspruch's heavily impastoed portraits and nudes in February 2003, followed by abstract work by Miami artists curated by Einspruch in April. Dorsch is currently presenting a large group show of his regulars titled "CODE"; included are Mary Malm, Jordan Massengale, Marie-Jose Arjona, Ralph Provisero, Carolina Salazar, Claudia Scalise, Kyle Trowbridge, Kerry Ware, Mark A. Koven and Brian Reedy.

In 2000, Genaro Ambrosino moved from an enormous, double warehouse around the corner from the Snitzer Gallery into a considerably smaller storefront across the street from MOCA on 125th Street in North Miami. While he no longer produces exhibitions of the scale and ambition he did previously, Ambrosino represents a host of prominent Miamians whose work he intends to promote internationally. (In February '03, at the invitation of curator Antonio Zaya, the Ambrosino Gallery participated in the "Up and Coming" section of the ARCO fair in Madrid, exhibiting the work of Gavin Perry, Beatriz Monteavaro and William Cordova; returning to Madrid in '04, the gallery will present Monteavaro, Cordova and Vickie Pierre.)