TOP RIGHT: © JEFF KOONS STUDIOWHAT’S NEWS
64 WSJ. MAGAZINE
RUBELL REDUX
M
ERA AND DON RUBELL bought their first
piece of art when they were newlyweds in
1964, from a minor New York artist on a visit
to his squat. “That experience really taught
us how to spend time with artists in their studios,” says
Mera, 76. “That’s how our lives of collecting began.”
The couple have spent the 55 years since then amassing
one of the country’s most dynamic troves of contempo-
rary work, some 7,200 pieces by more than 1,000 artists.
The Rubells opened their holdings to the public in
1993 when they launched the Rubell Family Collection
in Miami’s Wynwood section. A few years ago they
were facing a space crunch. “We were in a panic,” says
Mera, “desperate for storage.” Instead of stashing
the art away, they decided to show off much more of it.
Working with architect Annabelle Selldorf, the
Rubells have transformed a block of warehouses into
the Rubell Museum. The 100,000-square-foot institu-
tion, opening in Miami’s Allapattah neighborhood
next month, features 40 light-filled galleries, a library,
a bookshop, an outdoor bar and a restaurant from
Basque chef Mikel Goikolea. A garden out front is
landscaped with Floridean foliage. “This was really an
incredibly lovely collaboration,” says Selldorf of work-
ing on the design with the Rubells. “The conversation
was very real, really an exchange, really reciprocal.”
The new museum opens with a survey of the Rubells’
entire collection, encompassing some of the most
seminal art figures of the last half century (including
Jeff Koons, whose New Hoover Convertible from 1980
is shown above). “It’s shocking to us when we think
about it now,” says Mera. “The Jean-Michel Basquiat we
bought in a basement, the Keith Haring—these pieces
were bought very inexpensively and almost always on
a payment plan.” rfc.museum. —Jay CheshesTHE RUBELL FAMILY OPENS A NEW MIAMI
MUSEUM DEVOTED TO THEIR VAST
COLLECTION OF CONTEMPORARY ART.TREND REPORT
THE CAT’S MEOW
Going head to toe in animal prints is a sophisticated
way to show your wild side.On him: Alexander Wang turtleneck and vest, R13 jeans, socks by Happy Socks and Marni shoes. On her:
Versace coat and Dolce & Gabbana tights, shoes and bag. Photography by Micaiah Carter; fashion editor
David Thielebeule. Models, Emile Woon at One Management, Ayobami Okekunle at IMG Models; hair, Michael
David Warren; makeup, Raisa Flowers; set design, Danielle Selig. For details see Sources, page 150.rubell
museum