Art Basel Miami Beach 2014
I just arrived in Miami for the 13th edition of Art Basel Miami Beach. When looking back it's hard to believe that the sister fair of the Swiss mogul, is actually now the mogul in its own right. The transformation that Miami as a city -and all of us as active participants in the art world- have witnessed in the past few years is just unparalleled. This year I have contributed stories, guides and itineraries to Elle, Vogue Brazil and The Coveteur. What follows is my own edit of the three.
The Fairs
This year, Art Basel Miami Beach, the main fair, offers a new section called "Survey" which will be comprised of nine solo booths and four thematic exhibitions. "Survey" looks at the past century and brings art to the present in a highly curatorial way.
Given the lineup of galleries that will be showing with NADA and Untitled, these two remain my go-to choices for emerging art and mid career discoveries from all over the world.
In a departure from previous years, Industry Gallery will be taking over the Penthouse of the Aqua Hotel (where the Aqua Art Fair takes place) and will create an immersive design experience.
There's a parallel fair called ‘Select’ that is working with Solange Knowles in curating performances that will happen every night—including one of herself, of course—which sounds pretty interesting to me.
The Shows
Daniel Arsham has a new solo show opening at Locust Projects that promises to be very impressive since he caved holes on the floor and filled them up with white electronic devices that he created to represent the past, the present and the future. Additionally he and his partner Alex Mustonen, who together are the duo behind Snarkitecture, will unveil two new projects: one at The Alchemist and one at The Delano.
Beatriz Milhazes's retrospective at the Perez Art Museum is a must-see. And speaking of museums, it's pretty remarkable that this December Miami will witness—yet again—the opening of a new museum called Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA).
The Events
W Magazine is hosting the inaugural party of the Edition Hotel. Since so much has been said about that place, I'm curious to see what is it all about. Art.sy is also hosting their party for the first time in a different place—it was always under a great tent by the beach at Soho Beach House, and this year it will be in the Design District. Alan Faena is throwing his Argentinean ‘Asado’ in preparation for the mega-opening of the Faena hotel-residence-art complex in 2015. Miley Cyrus is performing at The Raleigh and Neuehouse is hosting the TV Party with the legendary Glenn O'Brien at Casa Claridge. There are so many parties, I can't even attempt to narrow them down to a handful.
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Happy Basel!