Nam June Paik Ed Ruscha Claus Oldenburg

At first, Craig Robins is an American business man as you imagine. Quarantine, a physics of sports, head shaven as fashion today, requires clear, penetrating eyes... It just practice the exercise of modesty still in vogue in Europe. Thus, when you ask it about its activity, this proud citizen of Miami explains all go: "You know the Art Deco District of South Beach in Miami" It is I am the source of its renaissance. "Or:"Yes, I was born in Miami and maternity where I saw the day today is a hotel which belongs to me." "Once the presentations, he however reveals a desire for reflection on contemporary art and an approach to the collection that are very"European ". It exceeded the demonstration phase of the social. His tastes are free ways and he demonstrated a certain distance. Indeed, it is Spain its appetite for art was born.

He was twenty years old. Studies of law led him to Madrid and then to Barcelona for a year. "It was one of the most important experiences of my life." Americans like me, it is crucial to know the life in Europe. At the time, I was totally ignorant of art. I went to the Prado. The shock, it was Goya. Later, during my stay in Madrid, I returned the Museum daily, I couldn't stop me. I didn't qualify my disorder from her painting. I just knew that he was a genius. Now, I am able to explain: Goya was modern before time. "I particularly liked his series of"black paintings"and her two paintings"La maja desnuda"and"La maja vestida", which also gave me the opportunity of a humorous correspondence with my parents in the genus:"La Maja before and after Craig"."

If the businessman likes to laugh, it takes art very seriously. At Barcelona, still in his youth, he met a family whose father is catalan contemporary art collector. It is to him that he wished his desire to become a collector. "He was so obsessed by it." It was a large part of his life. "Its good Spanish dating give access to a few privileges such as see nearly 400 drawings of the Picasso Museum normally not accessible to the public or to the institutions of this part of the Spain tour, Museum Dalí at the Miró Foundation. This FastTrack is bearing fruit. Back in Miami, the young Craig, freshly graduated in law, asked his parents reward a painting of a catalan artist. The collection can begin.

Whatever the field, Craig Robins is ambitious. Quickly learn art, his opinion, is to be in contact with the Museum people and artists. "A twenty-four years, I have requested the opportunity to be part of a Committee of"trustees"(1) of an institution of Florida dedicated to contemporary art,"Art in public places".

Therefore, the artists meetings move. Nam June Paik, Ed Ruscha, Claus Oldenburg... Today, Craig Robins has approximately 1,000 signed works of 300 different artists. A set whose linchpin is an important artist who lives on the California coast, John Baldessari (1).

After having been, for a time abandoned by opinion, Baldessari became one of the "idols" of the contemporary art market. He worked among others revisit photography by learned use of cutouts, assemblages, and slopers of bright colors. Craig Robins did not wait this back in thanks to the iconoclastic artist. He collects Baldessari for about eighteen years old and has, according to him, about 30 of his major works. Indeed, last year, when the Museum Moderner Kunst in Vienna has dedicated an exhibition to its production from 1962 to 1982, he borrowed no less than 15 parts to the collector in Miami. "I am certainly one of the most important sets of Baldessari in private hands." However, Director from the collection of Craig Robins is the search for young talents. "I like collecting the young art but artists such as Paul McCarthy, John Baldessari, or David Hammons (3) are by their younger than young minds." Human also appreciates to buy still underestimated works against. Thus, it has long purchased parts of the German painter at the protest spirit Martin Kippenberger, but ceased three years. "Too much speculation," said.

Since the Art Basel fair there took his winter quarters, the artistic landscape of Miami is happy mundane. The speech of the real estate developer decides on the general atmosphere. The latter assumes yet the side glamour and superficiality of his city: "Nothing says that you cannot do interesting things in fun." In Miami, can meet people in the field of art have very exciting initiatives. Today this city is one of the most interesting places of art. "Inspired by his Spanish friend, he did ensure that the collection changes his life. "The art affine your mind." It gives you the ability to be sensitive to different things.

Now, Craig Robins is also seeking to share his passion. "I would like to join the most important collectors of Miami to make a major gift that would allow the emergence of a Museum in our city.". Miami, now must be a Museum and an art school. "A new way to enter in the history of his city.