FRIENDS WITH YOU: CLOUD CITY INAUGURATES MOCA AT GOLDMAN WAREHOUSE
December 1, 2005

(North Miami, FL) - The Museum of Contemporary Art will inaugurate its new exhibition space, MOCA at Goldman Warehouse on December 1, 2005 with the interactive exhibition Cloud City by the Miami artist collaborative Friends With You. Using oversized geometric forms and primary colors, viewers are invited to become participants in Cloud City, an adventurous dream world playground designed to reinvigorate audiences with childlike energy and optimism. The large-scale installation will remain on view through January 29, 2006.

Cloud City is the first exhibition at MOCA at Goldman Warehouse in the Wynwood Arts and Entertainment District, which will be a satellite branch of MOCA's Joan Lehman Building in North Miami.

Friends With You, comprised of artists Sam Borkson and Arturo Sandoval, III take their influence from world religions, science and popular visual culture then reclaim their diverse sources as their own. Sam Borkson explains, "We recognize these objects as universal symbols that belong to the world. It is part of a movement we have coined 'neo-tribalism.'" The central figure in the installation is the boy, an archetype that embodies youth and na�ve creativity. Their designs send a positive message that is all encompassing.

This is the first museum exhibition for Friends With You. Their work takes the form of mass culture including interior design, film, toys and graphics. Friends With You art toys are sold around the world, as a commentary on mass marketing. They use consumer products to spread their message of camaraderie and the idea of a collective conscience and its importance, not only as art, but as a way to unite people through intrinsic creativity and good will. The artists state "this artist collaborative was created with one basic concept in mind and that is to become Friends With You."

Sam Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III joined to form Friends With You in 2002 and have participated in more than 20 international exhibitions since including The Nike Lab commission of the film "Mr. Wizard the Legend of Speed" (2003) New York and Los Angeles, which was also featured at MOCA's Optic Nerve Film Festival in 2005. Among their projects are AQUI UZUMAKI, HPGRP Hanna Gallery, Ginza Tokyo, Japan (2004) in which they created a gigantic vortex of plush dolls, and Project Fox, Denmark, Copenhagen (2005), a commission by Volkswagen. Friends With You designed unique environments within four rooms in Copenhagen's Hotel Fox named King Albino, Harmony's Helm, The Fertility Shrine, and Heaven's Palace. The artists also animated a Volkswagen Fox, which is now included as part of the Volkswagen's unique art collection, using fur piled atop a wooden metal frame that encased their creation of the "Albino Fox". Within the interior of the glossy pink shrine-like vehicle, hang strings of plastic fruit, fish, and fairies.

As part of Cloud City at MOCA at Goldman Warehouse, Friends With You will present ritualistic and interactive performances Thursday through Sunday, December 1 to the 4th from 12 pm to 5 pm, and Saturday, January 14 at 7 pm. Performances are free with museum admission. Friends With You has also created a limited edition toy for Cloud City that will be available in the MOCA Shop.

Part Two of the exhibition will open at the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami on January 28 during MOCA's fundraiser Pop 10, and consist of a large-scale installation for the museum's reflecting pool in the MOCA Plaza.

There will be a special opening reception for Friends With You: Cloud City in celebration of the inauguration and ribbon-cutting of MOCA at Goldman Warehouse on Thursday, December 1 from 9 am to noon for upper level members of MOCA, Art Basel Miami Beach VIPs and exhibitors.

Friends With You: Cloud City is sponsored by Millennium Hotels and Resorts. Media support is provided by The Art Newspaper. The inaugural breakfast December 1 will be provided by Starbucks Coffee Company.

Friends With You: Cloud City performances:

Thursday, December 1 12:00- 5:00 pm
Friday, December 2 12:00- 5:00 pm
Saturday, December 3: 12:00- 5:00 pm
Saturday, December 4: 12:00- 5:00 pm
Saturday, January 14: 7:00 - 9:00 pm

MOCA at Goldman Warehouse is located at 404 NW 26 Street (26th Street & 5th Avenue). It opens to the public on December 1 with special Art Basel Miami Beach hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Thursday, December 1 to Monday, December 5.

Beginning Thursday, December 8, regular hours are: Thursday - Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m, and on the second Saturday of the month from 7:00 to 9:00 pm as part of the Wynwood Gallery Walk. For information, please call 305.893.6211 or visit www.mocanomi.org

Admission is free for MOCA members, North Miami residents, City of North Miami employees and children under 12; General admission is $2 (applicable toward $5 admission to MOCA). For information, please call 305.893.6211 or visit www.mocanomi.org

More MOCA as MOCA turns 10!
Exhibitions and programs at MOCA are made possible through grants from the City of North Miami, the Florida Arts Council, the Department of State, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Cultural Affairs Council, the Mayor and Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners.