Les Lalanne - Animal Art That Doesn't Suck December 6, 2010

First there were the roosters in Little Havana. Then came the peacocks in Coconut Grove. And most recently, it was the pink snails slugging around Miami Beach. Eye candy or eyesores? You decide, but regardless, they could use some pointers from the French husband-and-wife art team of Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne. Before François-Xavier passed away in 2008, the couple had been creating surreal animal sculptures since the ’60s, with there work legitimately exhibited across the globe. Coinciding with the opening of this year’s Art Basel Miami Beach, 20 of their sculptures will be on exhibit at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. “Les Lalanne at Fairchild” has been meticulously spread out across much of the lush 83 acres. The sculptures of flora and fauna blend in with the surroundings. Of particular note is Vache Paysage, a bronze cow whose torso opens a window onto the rest of the gardens; and Mouton, a dozen sheep flocking around the gardens. The exhibit runs through May 31.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden 10901 Old Cutler Rd; Pinecrest FL Price: $25 for adults, $18 for seniors, $12 for children, and free for members Every week Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat until Tue, May 31 9:30am 305-667-1651 http://fairchildgarden.org/

Every week Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Tue., November 30 until Tue., May 31, 9:30am

Hours: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Mondays - Fridays, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Source miaminewtimes.com

Official Website: http://fairchildgarden.org/