C7AT - Select Flamingo Machine Artist

Resolutions - C7 AT

C7 AT A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE SELECTION OF KOICHIRO AZUMA (ARTIST), AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMITTEE AND THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD; AND AUTHORIZING THE ADMINISTRATION TO NEGOTIATE AND FINALIZE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT (THE AGREEMENT) WITH THE ARTIST IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $150,000 FOR A PUBLIC ART COMMISSION FOR THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PROJECT TITLED "FLAMINGO MACHINE," TO BE LOCATED IN FLAMINGO PARK, WITH FUNDING FOR THE PUBLIC ART PROJECT ALLOCATED AND AVAILABLE IN THE AIPP FUND IN THE CURRENT YEAR CAPITAL BUDGET; AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT. Applicable Area:

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt the Resolution.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

On October 16, 2019, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2019-31038 (attached) requesting that the Art in Public Places (AiPP) committee allocate a portion of AiPP funds appropriated from the Flamingo Park Youth Center (PAL Facility) G.O. Bond Project, or other G.O. Bond Projects within Flamingo Park for the commission of a flamingo-related work of art to be incorporated within Flamingo Park. AiPP funds are only available for appropriation once there are construction contracts in place through Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).

Subsequently, on September 11, 2024, the Mayor and City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2024-33258 directing the Administration to implement Resolution No. 2019-31038. Once the series of projects in Flamingo Park led by CIP reached the appropriate development stage to enable access to funds, the Tourism and Culture Department (TCD) issued a Call to Artists to design a flamingo-inspired work of art for Flamingo Park.

The scope of work for the selected artist includes providing, delivering and installing a custom art piece for Flamingo Park. This includes design therein with applicable hardware. The selected proposal was required to provide a maintenance plan for the care of the artwork. The pre- determined potential location for placement of the artwork included the Park's Central Juncture. The project was originally set for completion in Spring 2026 and has since been shifted to Fall 2026.

On January 28, 2025, The City of Miami Beach, through its Cultural Affairs Division, requested qualifications from professional artists and/or artist teams to create integrated artwork(s) for Flamingo Park via CTA- 2025-002. The application closed on April 1, 2025, and received thirty- four (34) submissions, with five (5) applications being shortlisted by Tourism & Culture staff.

At the May 20, 2025, AiPP Committee meeting, the five (5) shortlisted artists presentations were shared with the AiPP committee, which included artist statements, artist CVs and previous work samples. From this shortlist, three (3) artists were selected to develop a full proposal and present it to the AiPP Committee. The selected artists were encouraged to design site specific artworks that would provide visitors with an outstanding visual experience while creating a unique identity for the park and the immediate neighborhood.

At the July 15, 2025, AiPP Committee meeting, the three (3) finalist artists in the Flamingo Park public art commission Koichiro Azuma, Naomi Fisher, and Atelier van Lieshout) presented their proposals to the AiPP Committee. As approved via LTC#328-2025, AiPP Committee members selected the “Flamingo Machine” proposal (attached) by artist Koichiro Azuma for the public artwork for the Flamingo Park project. The artist will install an enclosed and secured sculpture that references a flamingo, measuring 20 feet high and 14 feet in width, to be located at the central juncture that meets at the heart of the park. The approved sculpture is meant to be interactive, with park-goers having the ability to pedal the bicycle in order to move the neck of the sculpture, complementing nearby sports facilities and encouraging physical activity representative of Flamingo Park.

At the August 4, 2025, Flamingo Park Neighborhood Association Meeting, the Tourism and Culture Cultural Affairs Division staff presented the “Flamingo Machine” proposal and received favorable comments and unanimous approval from the residents in attendance.

At the October 21, 2025, Historic Preservation Board (HPB) meeting, the “Flamingo Machine” proposal, file number HPB25-0668, by artist Koichiro Azuma received unanimous approval.

ANALYSIS

Project Description:

Koichiro Azuma “Flamingo Machine” is inspired by the movement of flamingos, much like crane trucks (named after the bird “crane”). While observing their movements, the artists noticed the similarity of mechanics to an excavator’s arm in motion. The proposed artwork design will include a bicycle which, when pedaled by park goers, moves the flamingo’s neck up and down, operating like an excavator. By combining movement, imagination and play, the sculpture becomes a playful, hands-on experience. Because the sculpture runs on pedaling, it also complements nearby sports facilities, encouraging physical activity. The proposed sculpture is 20 feet high and 14 feet wide and is built to playground safety standards with galvanized steel.

Koichiro Azuma is a kinetic sculptor whose practice explores the intersection of movement, materials, and community. He earned a Ph.D. in Fine Arts from Tokyo University of the Arts and is the founder of Azuma Kobo Co. Ltd., a metal processing studio launched in 2023. Currently, Azuma serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Integrated Sculpture at the University of Tsukuba. His work is defined by interactive sculptures made from reclaimed metal and salvaged bicycle parts, inviting audiences to power and participate in the experience of art. With structural engineer Jutaro Sekita, Azuma creates public installations that emphasize safety, tactile engagement, and local storytelling. His notable projects include “Manpowered Snowplow” in Niigata, “Tea Plantation and Cyclist” in Shizuoka, and “Jumbo Chimney Project” in Ibaraki. Azuma has exhibited widely at events such as the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial, KIAF Seoul, and Roppongi Art Night. Among his many honors are the Nomura Art Prize and Grand Prize at TOKYO GEIDAI ART FES (2024), Salon de Printemps Award (2022), and an Excellence Award from TOKYO GEIDAI ART FES (2021).

Proposed Location:

Located in the heart of South Beach, Flamingo Park (“The Park”) is a haven for sports lovers as well as families looking for a spot to cool off. After renovations, the park now has 17 tennis courts, a baseball stadium, handball and racquetball courts, a softball field, basketball court, football field,

soccer field, running track, playground, walking trails and a bark park – all surrounded by lush tropical landscaping.

Flamingo Park features a state-of-the-art aquatic center with two pool areas. The park’s sports facilities are popular with locals as well as professional athletes who use them for off-season workouts. In addition to forementioned amenities, the Park will include a unique commissioned work of art as part of the Art in Public Places Program collection.

The Art in Public Places (AiPP) program is a city board responsible for the commission and purchase of artwork by contemporary artists in all media. The program is funded from 2% of hard costs for city projects and joint private/public projects. Funds from construction projects may be aggregated into the AiPP Fund and allocated for artwork at public sites and for collection maintenance. The fund is administered by a City Commission-appointed citizen’s board of seven members, the AiPP Committee.

The scope of work for the selected artists, Koichiro Azuma, includes providing, delivering and installing a custom art piece for Flamingo Park. This includes design therein with applicable hardware. The selected proposal of “Flamingo Machine” was required to provide a maintenance plan for the care of artwork.

The pre-determined location for placement of the artwork included the Park’s central juncture.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Funding for the Art in Public Places Project “Flamingo Machine” in Flamingo Park in the amount of $150,000 is allocated and available in the Art in Public Places fund in the current FY 2026 capital budget.

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

AiPP Fund 147-0380-069370-25-410-556-00-00-00-22718

CONCLUSION

The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the selection of Koichiro Azuma’s “Flamingo Machine” public artwork, as recommended by the Art in Public Places Committee and the Historic Preservation Board, and authorizing the administration to negotiate and finalize a professional services agreement with the artist in an amount not to exceed $150,000; and further authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to execute the agreement.

Applicable Area

South Beach

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Tourism and Culture

Sponsor(s)

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Approve Art in Public Places Project for Flamingo Park. TC