More arrivals to the art ’hood

To make a splash upon arrival to Wynwood these days, you need to pull out all the stops. Or at least if you are KIWI Gallery, which opened Feb. 12, during Second Saturdays. You have to be about art,

but in an entertaining way. The gallery’s inaugural exhibit is photography from William John Kennedy, who shot Warhol and Robert Indiana as they arrived on a different scene — the Pop Art scene of the early 1960s. But there was also a screening of a film (first seen during Art Basel Miami Beach at the Colony Theater) chronicling the journey of these images since they were first taken about 40 years ago, “Full Circle: Before They Were Famous.” Which will be followed by a LOVE Pop Party. And which will incorporate live performances from NYC’s Joey Arias and our own Back Door Bambi.

But back to the art.

These are newly published prints of Kennedy’s interaction with the soon-to-be-pop greats, including images of Warhol with his Marilyn Monroe, and Indiana with his “LOVE.” The collection comprises 50 works , all of them compelling and lovely, both historically and compositionally.

Another newcomer to the neighborhood is Germany’s Lausberg Contemporary, which opened during Art Basel. Only time will tell if these international galleries will keep a real presence here (Nina Torres and Galerie Schuster are close by as well), but Lausberg is opening a second show, a light and optical illusion exhibit from Cologne-Based Regine Schumann. Called “Lolipop,” the works in this show look promising. It will be interesting to see, once again, who has staying power in the ‘hood.

The Works of William John Kennedy inaugurates KIWI Gallery, 50 NW 29th St., Miami; www.kiwiartsgroup.com. “Lolipop” at Lausberg Contemporary from Feb. 12, 1929 NW First Ave., Miami; www.galerie-lausberg.com.