Jul 8, 2025 - Things to Do

Photographer examines Miami's public art through a dynamic lens

Martin Vassolo

Two photos out of Robin Hill's book — Robin Hill's photographs of "Fly's Eye Dome" by Buckminster Fuller (left) and "Starchild" by FriendsWithYou.

Miami is full of unsung public artworks, from the tulip sculpture outside the West Transfer Station landfill to the field of nuclear submarine fins at Pelican Harbor Marina.

Why it matters: A new book from photographer Robin Hill celebrates Miami-Dade County's Art in Public Places program, which since 1973 has helped transform urban landscapes into open-air art exhibits through art acquisitions and commissions funded by the county.

In the book, "That's the Way I See It: Miami's Public Art Through a Unique Lens," Hill utilizes Intentional Camera Movement — a technique where the camera is moved during exposure — to create dreamy interpretations.

Driving the news: The book, designed and published by EXILE Projects, highlights 50 standout public artworks from multiple public collections, which Hill transforms with his dizzying camera work.

It's expected to be published in September via Hill's website and other local bookstores and museums, with the hardcover edition limited to a first edition of 500 copies.

What they're saying: "Miami's public art has turned the city into an outdoor museum that attracts millions of locals and tourists in its own right, and honoring this legacy through That's the Way I See It has been one of the true joys of my life," Hill says in a statement.

Zoom in: Some of the pieces featured in the book include "Tulip" by Karel Appel, "The Fin Project: From Swords into Plowshares" by John T. Young and Tobias Rehberger's "Obstinate Lighthouse," which the city of Miami Beach purchased for South Pointe Park.

A map on the back of the book pinpoints the locations of each artwork.

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Photographer examines Miami's public art through a dynamic lens

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