Are you pining for those old days at the diner when you could get a really good burger – or a hot dog with fries and a soda – for next to nothing with a jukebox playing the latest hits in the background?
Now you can watch your waistline and satisfy that nostalgic craving at the University of Miami’s Lowe Art Museum by visiting its new exhibition, “Order Up! The Pop Art of John Miller.”
Whoever thought art wasn’t fun hasn’t seen this.
(Courtesy of the artist)
Chicago Dog, 2019
Between now and Jan. 13, 2024, museumgoers can feast on 35 pieces of Miller’s oversized, realistic glass sculptures of food, drinks and condiments, contextualized by 1950s diner fixtures and fittings.
“The only downside of working on this project is that every time I look at the images or write a label, for example, I am immediately hungry and ready for lunch,” said Lowe curator Caitlin Swindell.
Inspired by the pop art movement of the 1960s – including Claes Oldenburg’s whimsical soft sculptures of everyday objects, as well as the artist’s own memories of visiting diners near his father’s motorcycle dealership – Miller builds upon that pop art lineage with his brightly colored glasswork, which is a nod to his working-class roots and reverence for mid-20th-century Americana. Created between 2014 and 2023, these sculptures are “comfort foods,” both literally and metaphorically.
For more information visit Lowe.Miami.edu or call 305.284.3535. Admission to the exhibition is free. The museum, located at 1301 Stanford Dr. in Coral Gables, is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Complementing the installation is the “Where’s The Burger? Scavenger Hunt” taking place in the city of Coral Gables November to January. Twelve signed mini burgers (sliders) will be hidden at a variety of locations, including burger joints, public spaces and even a bakery. Everyone is encouraged to take photos of the mini burgers for a chance to win one of the signed art pieces.
Happy hunting!
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(Courtesy of the artist)
Vanilla Donut with Sprinkles, 2018
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(Courtesy of the artist)
Chomp, 2008
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(Courtesy of the artist)
Twelve signed mini burgers (sliders) will be hidden at 11 Coral Gables locations in plain view as part of a scavenger hunt for a chance to win one of the signed art pieces.
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(Habatat.com)
John Miller