Type: Street Art
Artists: Alec Monopoly, TESOE
📍Location: 2100 NW 2nd Avenue
Featuring: Scrooge McDuck, Mr. Monopoly, Richie Rich, Betty Boop, Donald Duck,
A Testarossa, LIV Nightclub, Komodo, Miami’s Art Deco Architecture,
Palm Trees, Herbert Cadbury, Rolls-Royce
Date the mural was created: November 2018
Neighborhood:📍WYNWOOD
You can easily find the mural on 2100 NW 2nd Avenue
It’s right across the street from Sette Osteria
and two blocks down from Dr. Smood
The mural was created just before the annual Art Basel Fair in Miami.
Alec Andon depicts the stereotypical Miami lifestyle. Using his usual suspects, Rich Uncle Pennybags, Richie Rich, Donald Duck, Scrooge McDuck Herbert Cadbury and Betty Boop.
Rich Uncle Pennybags cruising on Biscayne Bay | Then he crosses the MacArthur Causeway in a Testarossa while he waves at us. | The MacArthur Causeway holds Tesoe’s tag.
Artist: Alec Andon + TESOE | 📍WYNWOOD, Miami | photo by Nadia Bouzid
A SASSY LOOKING BETTY BOOP | Alec Monopoly 📍WYNWOOD, Miami photo by Nadia Bouzid
RICHIE RICH CRUISING BISCAYNE BAY IN HIS RED BOWTIE IN A WAVE RUNNER WEARING WHITE SOCKS
Artist: Alec Monopoly 📍WYNWOOD, Miami
photo by Nadia Bouzid
Miami Architecture | Alec Monopoly | photo by Nadia Bouzid
“The Money Team” Scrooge, Rich Uncle Pennybags hanging in a stereotypical Miami | Alec Monopoly|photo by Nadia Bouzid
Herbert Cadbury | Alec Monopoly | photo by Nadia Bouzid
The other side of the mural has a baby blue background, two tags by TESOE, Richie Rich, Mr. Monopoly and Scrooge McDuck.
This collaboration between Alec Monopoly and street artist T3SOE introduces an intriguing layer to the narrative, offering a different perspective on Monopoly's intent behind placing his iconic characters within the streets of Wynwood. This joint venture seems to suggest a deeper meaning, transcending mere street art aesthetics. There's a palpable sense of purpose behind this partnership, one that might reflect an unspoken reconciliation or an attempt to reconcile their divergent styles within Wynwood's artistic landscape.
The amalgamation of Monopoly's characters and T3SOE's street art ethos appears almost like a bridge between two artistic worlds, each with its distinct history and ideology. Monopoly, known for his portrayal of opulence and capitalism, and T3SOE, with his street-smart, unapologetic art, seemingly find a common ground in this collaboration. It's as though they strive to create a visual harmony, a symbiotic blend that transcends the individualistic traits of their respective artistic expressions.
This collaboration could signify various things—a sense of vindication, a gesture of pardon, or a symbolic rite of passage, granting Monopoly's characters permission to exist alongside the vibrant street art culture. It may also symbolize a mutual acknowledgment, a way of paying homage to the evolving art scene in Wynwood while navigating the conflicting dynamics of street art and high-end artistic influences.
In many ways, their collaboration becomes a canvas for a shared dialogue—a conversation about the intersection of diverse artistic styles, ideologies, and the evolving landscape of Wynwood. It could represent an acknowledgment of the fluidity and adaptability of street art, allowing room for diverse narratives and artistic expressions to coexist harmoniously within the neighborhood's evolving fabric.
By merging their artistic personas, Monopoly and T3SOE might be creating an artistic reconciliation—a visual testament to the evolving nature of street art and its place in a neighborhood like Wynwood. Their collaboration introduces a new chapter in the ongoing story of Wynwood's metamorphosis, adding layers of meaning and depth to the walls that narrate the neighborhood's ever-changing story.
TESOE working on his tag | 📍WYNWOOD | photo by Nadia Bouzid
TESOE working at night | 📍WYNWOOD, Miami | photo by Nadia Bouzid
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Commentary
In my perspective, Alec Monopoly's choice to bring pop culture icons symbolizing wealth and capitalism, like Richie Rich and Rich Uncle Pennybags, into a gentrified neighborhood such as Wynwood in Miami, appears strikingly out of sync. Renowned for his art that often critiques affluence, Monopoly's usual themes feel somewhat disconnected from the evolving tapestry of Wynwood. Despite his signature artistic style usually resonating well with his subjects, the recurrent presence of his murals in Wynwood creates an aura of detachment, almost as if satirizing the neighborhood's transformative identity.
Wynwood’s story is intricate and captivating. Once known as "El Barrio" or Little Puerto Rico, this area was a vibrant melting pot, housing a diverse array of cultures. It was home to a mix of Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Haitians, African-Americans, Nicaraguans, Dominicans, and more. The neighborhood thrived as a bustling working-class district defined by warehouses and industrial spaces, undergoing a dramatic evolution into a vibrant arts enclave. However, this transformation brought about significant socioeconomic changes, stirring debates about cultural heritage and community displacement.
Alec Monopoly's mural, featuring symbols of opulence amidst this context, sparks discussions about the impacts of gentrification on communities. It underscores the stark contrast between the neighborhood's past struggles and its current status as an artsy hotspot. His art seems paradoxically placed within this changing landscape, questioning the compatibility of opulent symbols in a neighborhood grappling with profound transitions.
However, there’s an intriguing layer to consider. Monopoly's collaboration with street artist T3SOE might shed light on his intent. Perhaps, this collaboration signifies a sense of vindication, a gesture of pardon, or a symbolic rite of passage, allowing Monopoly's characters to blend into the streets. It adds a new dimension to his murals, possibly suggesting a reconciliation with the street art culture, or an attempt to pay homage to the street artists and the neighborhood's artistic legacy.
The irony in Monopoly's artistic expression, though emblematic of his work, presents a fascinating twist in this scenario. By juxtaposing these affluent symbols within a gentrified setting, he inadvertently initiates reflections on the neighborhood's transformation, wealth disparity, and the often-overlooked narratives of the original residents. The mural becomes a catalyst for dialogue, inviting contemplation about the cultural metamorphosis and societal impacts of gentrification, contributing to an ongoing conversation about Wynwood's identity and spirit.
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I'm Nadia, and I’m excited to have you join me at Beyond Square Footage— Here, I peel back the layers to share valuable real estate tips, explore home topics, dive into captivating architecture, and showcase the coolest designs and art. It’s me opening up my world to you.
”My fascination with street art knows no bounds, particularly due to its ephemeral nature. The thrill of hunting down murals that might vanish tomorrow adds an electrifying rush to my exploration. Every step, from stumbling upon artists in the act, guided by the aroma of fresh paint, to witnessing the final strokes completing a piece, holds a unique charm. Yet, what truly captivates me is encountering these artworks intact after years, weathered but resilient, or even adorned with graffiti, each transformation retaining the essence of expression. It’s a beauty to witness the evolution and preservation of these urban masterpieces, appreciating their raw authenticity. The journey of tracking these walls, immersing myself in their stories, transforms the cityscape into an ever-evolving gallery that breathes life and vibrancy into every wall and alley”
.- Nadia Bouzid