“So I count 17, 18, 19, 20 people that are not from Miami,” Alan Ket observes as he scans the office tower at Biscayne and 1st Street, now an outstanding crown jewel in Miami’s graffiti scene. Emerging primarily at night during Art Basel week, this all-façade painted temple brought out an unprecedented mix of international and out-of-town graffiti writers and street artists. It’s a scene that could only unfold here, right now.

Is there more graffiti inside? “Yeah, there’s some,” Ket says. “You’d just find a spot with a broken window or something. You just would have to be really careful going in.”

Alongside Graffiti Museum Co-founder Allison Freidin, Ket gives us a rare tour from a unique set of perspectives trusted in the gallery and respected on the street – not an easy feat. Their insights bring to life a project that grew, almost mystically, in the light of day and under cover of night above Miami’s streets. This tower, despite its looming demolition that will make room for the next big development, stands tall in a city known for its explosion of graffiti and street art over the last two decades.

“Originally Atomic, with the oranges up there on top? He started in July,” Ket says, his descriptions echoing the precision of someone who’s lived and breathed the scene. “Then the word spread, and 1UP came with 004 just under the top,” he points, “then these guys filled in the bottom.” This collaboration is now a daily mind-blower, surpassing even the major Art Basel/Wynwood events without the nod from artworld gatekeepers. It happened right under their noses – and above their heads.

“Graffiti is stronger than you think,” 1UP states in their 3D-modeled deconstruction-reconstruction by video artist @yoshitravel on Instagram. This glitchy, gritty, post-apocalyptic Matterport-ish/drone tour of the power tower adds a sleek edge to an underground scene that follows its own codes and periodically shocks the cityscape in a colossal way.

The event drew graffiti artists from around the world and locally, like a family reunion. The displayed styles underscore the diversity in today’s global scene – drawing from influences as wide as your mind. The risk-taking inherent in graffiti culture is evident, with some pieces rappelled down the wall in a style more akin to Sao Paulo or Berlin. Others look half-finished, maybe left in haste to avoid getting busted. The building’s rough shape is clear, with its broken glass visible from afar. Yet, the dialogue between the artists is also evident – with collaborative overlaps and occasional overwrites, showcasing the community and competition that drives everyone to outdo each other, and sometimes, even to impress you.

Catch this massive installation before its final takedown this spring. To us, it’s a reminder of the raw talent and resourcefulness of graffiti writers and street artists worldwide. Yes, Art Basel Miami, the prestigious international art fair, plays a part in energizing the scene. But truth be told, graffiti culture has long been about self-made artists putting on a show, often internationally, long before the big names took notice. This global tower of power is proof of that relentless drive.

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