LA HISTORIA DE VIZCAYA A LA LUZ | Spectral Vizcaya

Coloridos paneles iluminados con formas abstractas y la silueta de un busto, situados en un entorno exterior oscuro.

If you’ve heard about Spectral Vizcaya and wondered about this installation’s origins, take a step back with us. Sebastian Duncan-Portuondo’s first project at Vizcaya was Arrangements for a Concrete Box, part of the 2015 exhibition, “Fantastical Vizcaya,” which celebrated the theatrics of the estate as envisioned by Paul Chalfin, Vizcaya’s Artistic Director.

In that commission, Duncan-Portuondo brought Vizcaya’s archives to life on a grand scale, through light and color, including stained glass projections and shadow theater.

Light, Shadow and Color

He returns on February 2021 with Spectral Vizcaya, which will be a similar experience with one main difference — it is built with and by community members, and local volunteers will be part of this performance!

During the Spectral Vizcaya production, audience members will meet and interact with historical figures. This might mean having a conversation with Althea Altemus (Deering’s secretary), singing along with the Gondolier, or creating your own lantern in a workshop led by Sebastian to add your own light to the performance.

As visitors walk along the East Terrace, their shadows will be projected onto the façade of the Main House, activating the estate with the illusion of many more “phantom” guests.

By and For the Community

Vizcaya’s Participatory Public Art projects depend on community participation from start to finish. By welcoming locals into the creative process, the performance is an outcome of many people working together in a dynamic, community-driven, immersive process. That process is very much like Vizcaya— the result of hundreds of individuals working to complete independent tasks for an inspiring result.

Ready to take part in Spectral Vizcaya? Check out upcoming art-making workshops or reserve tickets to the performance on Friday, February 26 at 6:30 p.m. at www.vizcaya.org/spectral

 

APOYO VIZCAYA

¿Busca una forma de devolver algo a Vizcaya? Considere la posibilidad de hacer una donación en línea haciendo clic a continuación. Todo ayuda.

Vista aérea de la villa histórica de Vizcaya con jardines junto al paseo marítimo, en un entorno de horizonte urbano y cielo azul, perfecto para celebrar el Día del Trabajo.
Tour poster for Vizcaya's Rose Garden, featuring a stone fountain, vibrant pink roses, and lush greenery.

Visiting this Friday? Take the Tour!​

On Apr. 10 at 11:30 a.m., join us for Vizcaya’s Rose Garden Tour, a behind-the-scenes experience guided by the estate’s expert horticulturists.

Uncover the history, seasonal rhythms, and specialized care behind this iconic space.

🎟️ TICKETS: $24–$39; includes museum admission
Vizcaya Members: $10

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🌿 This Sunday: Living Land Festival

Celebrate South Florida’s Indigenous communities with a day of culture, creativity, and connection. Enjoy live performances, storytelling, hands-on art activities, and a vibrant farmers market—all in one place.

🎟 FREE ENTRY | Mar. 29, 9 AM–3:30 PM
📍 Vizcaya Village (3250 S. Miami Ave)

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Need something meaningful right now? Send a Vizcaya Gift Membership instantly—beautiful, memorable, and delivered straight to their inbox.

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Give the Gift of Vizcaya This Holiday Season

Share a year of beauty, history, and meaningful experiences. A Vizcaya Gift Membership creates stories worth sharing—and helps preserve a Miami treasure for future generations.

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One-Day-Only: Our Last Sale of the Year

Give yourself or someone you love a gift that lasts long after Cyber Monday ends.

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BEFORE YOU BOOK: Learn about on-site construction .

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Visiting this Friday? Jump on this Exclusive Tour!

If you love orchids, you don’t miss this special behind-the-scenes tour on Friday, December 13, 11:30 a.m. Join Vizcaya’s own orchid specialist as we go inside the museum’s greenhouse to explore rare orchids and learn expert plant care tips.

Tickets are just $39 per person and include museum admission. Spots are limited, so reserve yours now!