Coral Gables Museum Presents "Concrete Paradise: The Miami Marine Stadium"

News provided by

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Oct 03, 2013, 11:58 ET

Interactive Exhibition Exploring the Dilapidated Icon's Past, Present, and Future Runs October 17, 2013 – January 5, 2014

CORAL GABLES, Fla., Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Opening October 17, 2013, the Coral Gables Museum will present Concrete Paradise: Miami Marine Stadium, an original exhibition devoted to Miami Marine Stadium's flashy past, its edgy present, and its spectacular proposed comeback as a world-class sports and performance venue. Curated by renowned author and architectural conservator, Rosa Lowinger, this interactive exhibit will bring the glory days of Miami's most daringly modern structure back to life through stunning video footage, rare photos and keepsakes, original art installations, photo murals of the stadium's infamous graffiti, and an antique hydroplane. The exhibition is being presented by American Express.

The official trailer for the exhibition can be streamed here: http://bit.ly/concreteparadise

Concrete Paradise will kick off with a special opening party on October 17, 2013, that will feature exclusive tours, outdoor performances by Parkour gymnasts, ambient light installations, and video projections of the stadium. Throughout its run at the museum, a full schedule of special events, tours, and lectures will be offered to the general public. Tickets for the opening party are $25 and are available by calling 305-603-8067 or visiting www.CoralGablesMuseum.org. Additional support for the exhibition is being provided by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Friends of the Marine Stadium.

Designed in 1962 by 27-year-old architect Hilario Candela, then a recent immigrant from Cuba, the 6,566-seat stadium is a marvel of design and engineering. With a football field-length roofline that was the longest span of cantilevered concrete in the world when it was built, the stadium has hosted stars like Gloria Estefan, Jimmy Buffett, Dave Brubeck, the Beach Boys, and Ray Charles on its dramatic floating stage. Flamboyant enough to serve as a set for Elvis Presley's film "Clambake," it was also majestic enough to host religious services and political rallies.

Promotional photos of the exhibit can be downloaded at this address: http://bit.ly/16EK3Ae

SOURCE National Trust for Historic Preservation