parisian artist michal korman brings mediterranean memories to LPM miami

lpm restaurant & bar is the place for art lovers in miami

Beyond its presence at this year’s Art Basel Miami Beach, Pearl Lam Galleries has partnered with Paris-based artist Michal Korman to transform the interiors of LPM Restaurant & Bar in the coastal city’s neighborhood of Brickell. designboom was able to join the gallery during Miami Art & Design Week 2024 (see designboom’s Miami guide here). There, we met with the artist and experienced the exhibition, dubbed The Flower Narrative, together with the restaurant‘s vibrant menu curated to draw from Korman’s painted gardens and floral scenes. Korman says that he draws from his travels, and is especially inspired by public engagement with his works. At the same time, he notes that his practice often explores the five senses. Thus, a restaurant collaboration brought unique and tasty opportunities, as the menu becomes a part of the artwork itself. The Flower Narrative will be on view at LPM for just four weeks, from November 29th — December 28th, 2024.

Pearl Lam Galleries and Michal Korman to transform Miami’s LPM Restaurant | images © James Livingston III

inside michal Korman’s ‘the flower narrative’

At the opening of The Flower Narrative at LPM Restaurant & Bar Miami, Michal Korman recalls his memories exploring cities from New York to Okayama. Above all he notes his love for the South of France. Slower-paced and brighter than Paris — and full of gardens — the artist narrates scenes from his memories almost cinematographically. The clearest example of this is the exhibition’s largest new work, The Blue Parakeet, an elongated heptaptych spanning nearly an entire wall of the restaurant. He explains that the work can be read as a snapshot of daily life, to be viewed like a scene from a film, akin to Hitchcocks’ iconic and voyeuristic Rear Window.

The painting depicts seven figures in daily life. A man photographs a couple posing under umbrellas, with a silhouetted woman in the distance. Further along, an elderly woman peeks behind the curtains of her window, and two men with umbrellas — one a depiction of the artist himself — occupy the foreground of the right-most panel. Meanwhile, an orange cat stalks a small bird, and a figural blue parakeet, the work’s namesake, is framed within the center of the work. Surrounding these subjects are blossoming flowers and botanical vines, infusing the scene with Korman’s beloved gardens.

The Flower Narrative runs from November 29th to December 28th, 2024

a bespoke & colorful menu to match

Each work of The Flower Narrative is displayed throughout LPM to enhance the intimate atmosphere of the space, celebrating Miami’s vibrant atmosphere with Michal Korman’s optimistic, summertime themes. This attention to detail transforms the dining room into a living gallery, where his colorful canvases dialogue with the golden tones of the Mediterranean-inspired menu. The limited-edition offerings, such as The Fragrance cocktail and the Pavlova aux Agrumes dessert, are a continuation of the artist’s exploration of multiple senses. Each dish and drink reflects the themes and palette of Korman’s series. Thus, the exhibition is a multisensory narrative that connects taste, smell, and sight. This harmony of food and art creates an immersive experience that redefines the concept of dining as an art form.

‘We are proud to introduce Korman’s works and vision to Miami, in a special collaboration that reflects our shared passion for how both art and food create lasting memories,’ says Gallerist Pearl Lam. ‘We’re thrilled by how LPM has supported bringing this to life. We’ll also be showcasing his works at our booth at Art Basel Miami Beach, alongside pieces from other international voices on our roster, creating a truly unique and memorable moment for us here in Miami.’

the Blue Parakeet heptaptych captures daily life among a gardened scene