VIDEO: West Encounters East Discovers Vizcaya
Portuguese audio tour is launched at historic locale
West Encounters East (WEE) is a project founded by Ms. Stella M. Holmes that examines the Eastern philosophical influences on Western culture as seen through its art, most notably in Brazil where there is a large Japanese population. Ms. Holmes, who is a member of the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust, recently hosted a reception at the museum with Ambassador Hélio Vitor Ramos F., Consul General of Brazil in Miami, for the launch of the museum’s Portuguese audio tour. Several key members of the WEE team, including University of Miami art history professor, Dr. Joel Hollander, and PBS producer, Linda Corley, were present and shared with SocialMiami their insights on this evolving project. Learn more about the project from their own words in this exclusive SocialMiami video piece.
“Vizcaya is a landmark of Miami and thus we are very glad to have a guided tour in Portuguese to its beautiful grounds. This accomplishment is yet another indication of the auspicious moment we are experiencing in the fruitful relationship between Brazil and Florida,” said Ambassador Ramos F.
The Discover Vizcaya audio tour features 90 minutes of content and guides visitors through the main spaces and primary ideas associated with Vizcaya at their own pace. In this way, visitors will gain an in-depth understanding of individual objects while exploring themes such as cultural exchange, design and patronage, and work and leisure. The audio tour is also available in English, Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole.
“Miami is Vizcaya’s home, but like all great works of art, it belongs to the world,” said Ms. Holmes, who is also a member of the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Trust. “I have always believed that art is a wonderful bridge of communication between cultures. With this Portuguese version of the Vizcaya’s audio tour, we warmly welcome visitors from Brazil and South Florida’s Portuguese-speaking residents.”
“The addition of a Portuguese version of the Discover Vizcaya audio tour reflects the ever-increasing international visitors to Miami-Dade County’s most popular visual arts museum,” said Vizcaya’s Executive Director Joel Hoffman.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens preserves the Miami estate of International Harvester Vice President James Deering (1859–1925). Built between 1914 and 1922, Vizcaya is one of the most intact remaining architectural examples from the era in United States history known as the American Renaissance, when the nation’s wealthy industrialists build lavish estates inspired by the palaces of Europe. Vizcaya was designated a National Historic Landmark and is owned and operated by Miami-Dade County. Vizcaya is open daily except Tuesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
