Art Basel Miami Beach is no ordinary art fair. It’s the pulsating tropical souk of the frenzied contemporary art market. And it’s a mega massive deal. It’s almost impossible to estimate how much art is sold since Basel is not the only art fair in town in early December, but in 2006 estimates suggest that the number was around $500 million.
Who goes?
Virtually everyone in the art world gets down to Miami for the week. Throw in some rockers and rappers, fashion types, nightlife impresarios, socials and you have a fête like no other. Last year, the guest list looked something like this: Larry Gagosian, John Currin, Kanye West, Nadja Swarovski and Zaha Hadid. Expect a similarly high-voltage atmosphere this year.
So I can pick up something for the mantle piece?
The options for browsing and buying of all manner of art are phenomenal. Over 200 galleries representing the biggest names in contemporary art will set up shop at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The main fair also includes enough talks and satellite exhibitions to keep the keenest art buff busy. The Art Positions section, which features 20 art projects housed in shipping containers on the beach at Collins Park, is a perennial favorite. Check out the various lounges such as the Cartier Art Guest Lounge, designed by architect Jean Nouvel and the Visionaire SOUND lounge at the Raleigh hotel, where you can hear audio works from the likes of David Byrne, Robert Wilson, Cat Power and Cindy Sherman.
See official Art Basel website for full list of programs: www.artbaselmiamibeach.com
Is that it?
No, the art fest extends beyond the Convention Center. Explore the many alternative art fairs spread around the Miami area.
Design junkies should head to Design Miami, which takes place from Dec. 7-9 (www.designmiami.com). This year, former Issey Miyake collaborator, Tokujin Yoshioka is being honored as the designer of the year. His name might not be as familiar as say previous honorees – Zaha Hadid and Marc Newson – but we’re guessing that it will be soon.
For the next-generation of Gagasosians and John Currins, go to the NADA (New Art Dealers Alliance) fair, which runs from Dec. 5-9. Exhibitors include hip young galleries, such as New York’s Rivington Arms. This year, the fair will host the benefit for the spanking New Museum on New York’s Bowery. The night will include a performance by San Francisco rockers Deerhoof and artist Ken Kagami. For tickets, see www.newartdealers.org
SCOPE Miami (Dec. 6-9; www.scope-art.com) celebrates the as-yet-uncelebrated artists. The fair has discounted exhibition space for new galleries in its ‘Breeders’ section. You can count on some provocative performances during the fair. In his Self-Portrait Fight, Shaun El. C Leonardo will reenact a boxing match after training for eight months for the part. Miami artist Jason Hedges’ Vertical Triple Chamber Smoker sculpture will meditate on our existential sustenance: food. He’ll also grill up a storm for visitors on Sunday afternoon.
In its new SoHo Studios location, the three-year old Pulse Miami fair (Dec. 5-9; www.pulse-art.com) will include the U.S. debut of Takashi Murakami’s Japan-based GEISAI show, which will highlight works by artists without current commercial representation.
Having previously used the rooms, walls and courtyard of the Aqua Hotel as gallery space, Aqua Art Miami (Dec. 5-9; www.aquaartmiami.com) is also expanding this year to include a second space in the Wynwood Art District. Go for the West Coast-centric selection of galleries and artists.
Photo enthusiasts and their dogs will be welcomed at Photo Miami (Dec. 5-9; http://artfairsinc.com/photomiami/2007/index.html) for Maarten Wetsema's Dog Shoot installation, which is devoted to dog portraiture. The artist has invited the four-legged loves of Oprah, Madonna and Paris Hilton to sit for him. No word yet on the status of their RSVPs. At least one other animal will turn up since Janet Biggs’ Enemy of the Good performance, an exploration of man’s pursuit of perfection, features a horse – a real one.
Another must-see is the Swarovski Crystal Palace (http://www.swarovskisparkles.com/crystalpalace/crystalpalaceexhibitions.html), which runs Dec. 7-9. This year New York architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro have re-imagined the chandelier as the Light Sock. The result? Oversized mesh bags filled with Swarovski crystals. Like much else at Art Basel, you can buy them to hang at home.
For a different art viewing experience, head to the Miami Beach Marina for the ARTMB, the fair that takes place aboard the SeaFair, a multi-level 228-foot mega-yacht art exhibition space, where you can check out works from artists such as Jeff Koons, Jasper Johns and others. The ship will be docked at the Marina until Dec. 9.
What about the stuff that money can’t buy?
You’ll find that at Miami’s various museums. The Rubell Family Collection (www.rubellfamilycollection.com) is hosting two solo exhibits – Hernan Bas and John Stezaker – as well as a group view of the family’s European art collection, Euro-Centric, Part 1: New European Art from the Rubell Family Collection during the Art Basel week.
Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami (www.mocanomi.org) will host a mid-career retrospective of the work of Cuban-born, L.A.-based artist Jorge Pardo from Dec. 4.
The paintings of Cuban-born Enrique Martínez Celaya and audio installations of Canadian duo Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller are on show at the Miami Art Museum (MAM) (www.miamiartmuseum.org). Also check out the exhibit that looks at the Museum’s new building to be designed by Herzog and de Meuron. MAM will also host its Party on the Plaza on Dec.6 and its annual ball, a highlight of the Miami social calendar on Dec. 8.
Curated by Julie Sylvester from St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum, RUSSIA MIAMI (www.russia-art-miami.org) will showcase contemporary Russian art from Dec.3-10.
All art and no play then?
Absolutely not! Miami during Art Basel is as much about the parties – perhaps more so in the opinion of art purists – as the art. The Raleigh hotel is party central. We can’t tell you about the impromptu room parties but there are plenty of dos to which you might want to wrangle invites. For starters, Paper Magazine is hosting a party on Dec. 4 at the Raleigh Oasis. Deitch Projects will open the fair with a concert-soiree featuring Coco Rosie at the same venue on Dec. 5. The same evening D.J. Spooky will be amongst the performers at the Rubell Family Collection dinner to kick off the SCOPE fair film and lecture series. And the Marlborough Gallery is throwing a party in honor of Spanish artist Manolo Valdes at the Setai.
On Dec. 6, Sotheby’s and Mandarin Oriental will celebrate their joint contemporary Asian Art exhibit with a dinner to be attended by Vivienne Tam and honoree, artist Zeng Fanzhi. Also on Dec. 6 is the book launch party for Bob Colacello's OUT at the Raleigh. The next day Tamara Mellon will host a dinner at the Raleigh Ballroom to toast the limited edition handbags designed by Jimmy Choo and artist Richard Phillips.
Also on Dec. 7, Janna Bullock and Thomas Krens, director of the Guggenheim Foundation, will host the Russian Party at the Raleigh Oasis. That same evening, Visionaire will host a preview of Visionaire 53 Sound at the Florida Room at the Delano, hosted by Linda Evangelist. Meanwhile, guests at the Art Nexus Gala will raise their glasses in honor of Haluk Akakçe. On Saturday, the Adidas Y-3 store opening promises to be another must-go on the party schedule.
If you get there earlier, the NADA Gala in aid of the New Museum takes place on Dec. 4. We expect a starry art crowd since the likes of Beth Rudin deWoody, Yvonne Force Villareal and Rodarte’s Kate and Laura Mulleavy sit on the benefit’s committee. More museum soirees taking place include: The Whitney’s do with David Yurman at the Sagamore on Dec.5 and the MOMA Junior Associates with Vanity Fair and Banana Republic party at the Shore Club on Dec. 7.
And from Dec. 5-7, look up to the sky as “Krug is in the air” or at least it will be in the form of a new luxury hot air balloon designed by Domeau & Peres and Marc Bretillot. The balloon is modeled on the Krug Rooms in London’s Dorchester and Singapore’s Lausanne. Do your best to hitch a free ride. Additionally, make sure to check out Russell Simmons and Allison Weiss Brady's party at Intermix—the soirée will benefit Simmons' charity Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation on Dec. 8.
Finally, don't miss the Cartier Dôme,which features the brand's high jewelry collection and time pieces. Sip champagne and salivate over the gems from Wednesday to Sunday from 2-8pm and Thursday, 2-4pm.
The details
The fair runs from Dec.6-9. For full schedule and programs see www.artbaselmiamibeach.com
—Jessica Ramakrishnan
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