Alec Monopoly’s murals around Miami- exact locations
Rich Uncle Pennybags and Richie Rich in a Turquoise dream:📍2041NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127 [December 2017]
The Money Team in Miami + Tesoe: 📍2100 NW 2nd Avenue [November 2018]
Richie, Mr.Monopoly, Scrooge McDuck + Tesoe 📍2100 NW 2nd Avenue [November 2018]
Rich Uncle Penny bags as Tony Montana + Tesoe:📍 NW 2nd av [November 2018]
TESOE + MONOPZ 📍 NW 2nd av [November 2018]
Rich Uncle Pennybags flying like Mary Poppins:📍THE WALL by the train tracks [November 2018]
Scrooge McDuck, Mr. Monopoly and Richie Rich in the clouds:📍PAWN SHOP 2518 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
The Flintstones à la Monopoly + Tesoe: 📍2601 NW 6th Ave, Miami, FL 33127
The Money Team in Miami: 📍2100 NW 2nd Avenue | photo by Nadia Bouzid
Rich Uncle Penny bags as Tony Montana:📍 NW 2nd av |photo by Nadia Bouzid
Rich Uncle Pennybags flying like Mary Poppins 📍Wynwood, Miami | photo by Nadia Bouzid
Scrooge McDuck, Mr. Monopoly and Richie Rich in the clouds:📍2518 NE 2nd Ave
📍Edgewater, Miami | photo by Nadia Bouzid
The Flintstones à la Monopoly: 📍2601 NW 6th Ave, Miami
Virgil Abloh mural by Alec Monopoly and tagged by TESOE 📍Wynwood, Miami photo by Nadia Bouzid
Commentary
In my perspective, Alec Monopoly's decision to place pop culture symbols representing wealth and prosperity in Wynwood, Miami, a gentrified neighborhood, feels noticeably out of sync. Known for his artistic expressions on wealth, Monopoly's usual themes seem somewhat disconnected from Wynwood's changing dynamics. Despite his artistic finesse usually complementing his subjects, the recurring presence of his murals in Wynwood creates an air of detachment, almost mocking the neighborhood's evolving character.
Wynwood's story is quite complex. Initially dubbed "El Barrio" or Little Puerto Rico, it was once a melting pot of diverse cultures, including Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Haitians, African-Americans, Nicaraguans, Dominicans, and more. It was a bustling working-class area marked by warehouses and industry, but it transformed into a lively art district. However, this transformation significantly altered the neighborhood's social and economic makeup, raising concerns about cultural heritage and the displacement of its community.
Alec Monopoly's mural, featuring symbols of luxury amid this backdrop, sparks conversations about the consequences of gentrification on communities. It emphasizes the stark contrast between the neighborhood's past struggles and its current status as an artsy hub. His art appears as a paradox, placed amidst the neighborhood's evolving scenery, challenging the suitability of symbols of affluence within a community navigating profound changes.
The irony in Monopoly's artistry, a distinctive feature of his work, introduces an intriguing twist in this context. By juxtaposing these wealthy figures within a gentrified environment, he inadvertently triggers contemplation about the neighborhood's metamorphosis, the wealth gap, and the often-overlooked narratives of its original residents. The mural becomes a catalyst for dialogue, encouraging reflection on the cultural transition and societal implications of gentrification, contributing to an ongoing discourse about Wynwood's essence and identity.