Miami-based artist Lloyd Goradesky’s ‘Gator In The Bay’ Art Basel Installation at the Miami Yacht Club

We had a wonderful Art Week and wanted to share the iconic photograph of the Gator in the Bay completely assembled and floating on Biscayne Bay – what a stellar shot! Art Basel Miami Beach 2o13 was a huge success, the project has become a worldwide sensation. The Gator in the Bay was the #1 Recommended, Must-See Art Exhibit during this year’s Art Basel. The media coverage was phenomenal and the headlines stated – ‘Massive Gator Invades Art Basel Miami’ – it was great, truly a sight to see.

The event took place at the Miami Yacht Club on Watson Island, we were honored to have the new Mayor of Miami Beach, Philip Levine with us for a spectacular Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and celebration on Friday evening Dec.6, 2o13.

Art Week was very busy as we began on Wednesday, Dec.4, 2o13 with a spectacular showcasing of the 4ft. x 8ft. Floating Tile Art pieces on large, custom built easels that were lined up on the shore of the Miami Yacht Club for display. The Floating Tile Art pieces are comprised of stunning Photo Mosaic Collages, each tile is made up of over 3,ooo thumbnail images of the Florida Everglades.

The artist and creator of Gator In The Bay, Lloyd Goradesky, was a wildlife photographer for over two decades capturing precious images the Everglades. His extensive collection became the genesis of this massive public art project, which was created to generate awareness of the Florida Everglades.

On Thursday, Dec.5 the Gator In The Bay crew assembled the 1o4 Floating Tile Art pieces with cables and riggings to the head of the Gator, which was built onto a self-propelled barge. We had the help of Florida Marlins pitcher Dan Jennings No.43 and Billy The Marlin, who each assembled the last two Floating Tile Art pieces, which comprised the tail of the Gator, it was an amazing moment.

Gator In The Bay is sponsored by V&M Erectors and Fronte Cranes, both Vern Nix (far left) and Warren Fronte (far right) are pictured here with the artist Lloyd Goradesky (center) and Florida Marlins Pitcher Dan Jennings and Billy The Marlin.

This project is a worldwide sensation, the media attention, press and coverage has been enormous – Gator In The Bay is truly a collector’s dream. We had a very successful Art Week, if you are interested in purchasing any of the remaining Floating Tile Art pieces please contact Kat Wagner of Miami Art Scene who represents the artist and Gator In The Bay via email: miamiartscene@gmail.com – The Floating Tile Art comes with a complete art package, which includes: (1) The Floating Art Tile of your choice and the riggings used to connect to the barge. (2) A licensed aerial photograph. (3) Diagram of the project with a highlight of your specific Floating Tile Art. (4) Signed explanation of the project by the artist. (5) Certificate of Authenticity that your tile is a unique art piece from the Gator In The Bay.

The highlight of the weekend was on Saturday, Dec.7 when the entire crew from Gator In The Bay traveled on the barge and we took the massive Gator, which was beautifully lit up and glowing in the night to the new Perez Museum of Miami (PAMM). We were able to enjoy the evening’s opening celebration of the new museum during Art Basel on Biscayne Bay from inside the mouth of the Gator. The special gala event was attended by VIP’s Marc Anthony, Martha Stewart and Elle MacPherson. It was said that Gator In The Bay crashed the biggest, most anticipated party of Art Basel Miami Beach.