Superblue Voices: Brandon Grom
What was once a small team in New York, London, and Miami is quickly growing to support artists on extraordinary projects, from large-scale architectural commissions to immersive installations in our very own experiential art centers. We come from diverse backgrounds in live entertainment, media, museums, galleries, and publishing, but together our collective identities and skills are helping to shape a new way to experience art. In this series, we invite you to get to know us a little better — what we’re working on, what excites us, and where we’re finding inspiration.
Brandon Grom. Joshua Tree National Park. Photo courtesy of Brandon Grom
"People are looking for experiences now more than ever, especially beyond traditional dining or bars or the 'old way' of having fun. To be a part in delivering what people need most right now is very exciting."
Where are you based?
Miami
What do you do at Superblue?
Support the COO and Director of the Miami EAC in all the operation and production details of our first center, with a sprinkle of marketing and local partnerships.
What excites you most about Superblue?
The excitement of everyone locally in Miami about bringing SUPERBLUE here — it’s contagious. People are looking for experiences now more than ever, especially beyond traditional dining or bars or the ‘old way’ of having fun. To be a part in delivering what people need most right now is very exciting.
What are you reading/watching/cooking right now?
I renewed my subscription to the New Yorker because I had to stop watching news — it’s too deflating. I’m cooking anything from Alison Roman — I even got to do a private cooking zoom with her, my friend’s parents gifted him a class and I got to join. I have always been a fan of horror movies — love them — and have been watching A LOT of new horror and psychological thrillers. A new study found that people who like horror movies “tend to cope better with crises, feel less stressed by possible outcomes and are more resilient when preparing for tough times,” so I guess that’s my strange medicine.
Favorite Instagram account to follow (other than @Superblue.Art)?
Several different artists and designers living and working in Mexico, or really any account celebrating Mexican craftsmanship – I’ve fallen in love with the country over the past several years, and am so lucky to have friends who opened a gallery there last year so I get to see a version of the country through their eyes, their designers, their artists and their taste. Also @mariodiazlovesyou — he’s unapologetically raunchy — and delivers my favorite memes.
What was your last/most interesting recent online purchase?
Just this morning I fell for my second Instagram ad of COVID — this time buying a $125 Komuso breathing pendant. It’s like a little whistle that encourages you to take deeper, longer breaths to decrease stress hormones, lower blood pressure, loosen up muscles and slow down your heartbeat. Its design and intention comes from the Komuso monks in Japan who were devoted to blowing zen through a flute to feel good. I imagine I’ll be wearing it a lot — and if it works, we should place a bulk order for the SB team.
What’s the first trip you plan to take post-COVID?
Surely somewhere in Mexico – either Mexico City or I’ve been trying to plan a trip to Oaxaca for the past year, so that will be the goal. I’ve never been and have always wanted to go.
If you were a color, which color would you be?
Some kind of blue… or not one color but a textile with lots of colors.
If you could do a zoom call with anyone, who would it be with?
Kristen Wiig. I really need to laugh. But maybe she’s not funny IRL.
What’s your favorite thing in your home?
Probably this vintage map of Basel, Switzerland that I bought for CHF 5 years ago and finally got framed. The city has a special place in my heart, as I had spent the past decade traveling there every January and June to plan Design Miami/. Or now my Peloton, that finally arrived after waiting 3 months.
Photo: Brandon Grom
Most treasured/earliest art memory?
Anything at the Fondation Beyeler in Switzerland — they put on the best exhibitions. Peter Doig was one of my favorites there. Or Giacommetti. Or any time I can visit Casa Barragan.
Beyeler Foundation. Photo: Brandon Grom
Beyeler Foundation. Photo: Brandon Grom
Favorite sound or music?
Beach House or Washed Out — it all sounds the same but it’s perfect to listen to on a plane, because it’s calming, almost like you’re swimming under water.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Strangely, a lawyer – I even took my LSAT with plans to apply for law school. Couldn’t be happier that I didn’t take that path.
A young Brandon producing sand castles. Photo courtesy of Brandon Grom
