Welcome to a sound and sculpture garden that's not quite of this earth. The Deering Estate's new exhibition "Garden," featuring works by Gustavo Matamoros and Robert Thiele, is making quite the natural ruckus in Miami. According to a press release from Miami-Dade County, the soiree of audio and tactile art is displayed in the wooden enclave of the Richmond Cottage's Garden Room. Set to run from April 28 through July 20, 2024, the show is a part of their 'Contemporary Currents' series, a musical interlude to the estate's annual contemporary art infusion.

For those not in the know, The Deering Estate is more than just a pretty facade. It's a cultural and ecological powerhouse run by the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. As told by a Miami-Dade press release, this historic place not only basks in the sunlight on the National Register of Historic Places, but also serves as one of Miami's de facto "Heritage Parks" — pivotal in stitching Miami's rich historical, environmental tapestry.

Step into this cultured domain, and one will encounter the sonic landscape curated by Gustavo Matamoros. Known for his sounds that fill the architectural spaces like a glove, Matamoros plunges listeners deep into expanses of aural delight unseen. Every creak and whisper of the Garden Room will come alive, challenging your notion of what’s mere background noise. And alongside the soundscapes, Robert Thiele's sculptures question the balance of reveal and concealment, offering a visual chess game with his signature manipulation of spaces within spaces.

Want to catch the opening acts? Be sure to clear your calendars for the FREE opening reception on April 28th. But get this — while the event won't cost you a nickel, you'll still need to book your spot online. Reflecting the nature of these sound gardens, by the way, with a sound requiring amplification, Matamoros and Thiele are turning up the volume on contemporary expression within this historic site.

Backed by the Deering Estate Foundation's organizational muscle, this event is just a peak into the realm of experiences they champion for the estate. Pioneered by those passionate about conservation and culture, the foundation dedicates its efforts to preserve the stunning 450 acres Charles Deering estate legacy and to bolster the multitude of educational and recreational experiences it provides.