Art Basel to Heat Up Miami’s December Arts Scene
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of contemporary art through the illustrious platform of Art Basel Miami—an unparalleled nexus where artists, galleries, and collectors converge to celebrate creativity and innovation. Mark your calendars for the upcoming showcase, a unique event of paramount significance in the global art calendar, slated for December 6-8 in Miami.
Art Basel isn't merely an exhibition. It's a cornerstone of cultural exchange, fostering connections and dialogues that transcend borders and genres. Beyond the exhibition halls, Art Basel orchestrates a symphony of intellectual discourse and artistic expression, featuring master classes, provocative debates, live performances, and opulent soirées. Its prestige extends across continents, with flagship events in Miami, Basel, and Hong Kong, now joined by the dynamic addition of Paris.
Year after year, patrons and connoisseurs converge upon Art Basel to encounter a breathtaking array of mediums – from paintings and sculptures to digital art and immersive installations. Embark on a journey of esthetic discovery, where each stroke, form, and composition tells a unique and captivating story.
A TOUCH OF HISTORY
The first Art Basel was held in Basel in 1970. It was the brainchild of Swiss art professional Ernst Beyeler, a collector, art dealer, and gallerist Trudl Bruckner and Balz Hilt. The show instantly succeeded, attracting more than 16,000 visitors in its fledgling year. About 70,000 visitors pass through the Miami Beach Convention Center’s doors alone during every show, with more than 250 galleries and 4,000 artists from 35 countries participating.
MIAMI ART WEEK
Art Basel Miami has had such an impact on the art scene that the city has dubbed the time around the show Miami Art Week. Attending the show will also allow you to see some unique and thought-provoking exhibits at other venues since many art museums showcase their most impressive collections during Miami Art Week. Here are some venues that you might want to have on your itinerary:
PÉREZ ART MUSEUM MIAMI
Brimming with modern, contemporary, and international art, the Pérez Art Museum Miami is dedicated to collecting and exhibiting international art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Exhibits are constantly changing, but you will find works from Miami-based artists as well as from Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean and other areas. You will also be able to see works from self-taught artists.
INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART
The Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, promotes ongoing experimentation in contemporary art, advances new scholarships, and fosters the exchange of art and ideas throughout the Miami region and internationally. Through a well-rounded calendar of exhibitions and programs and its collection, ICA Miami provides an important international platform for the work of local, emerging, and under-recognized artists. It advances public appreciation and understanding of the most innovative art of this time.
THE WOLFSONIAN—FIU
The collection at the Wolfsonian comprises more than 200,000 objects, from household appliances from the past to culture-bridging designs, architectural plans, and items of war propaganda. Most items hail from Europe, the United States, Latin America, Asia and Africa. The collection belongs to the Florida International University and reflects the collecting habits of many, with collections reaching thousands of students, scholars and art lovers. During Art Basel Miami, the Wolfsonian will feature the exhibit Street Shrines – works by artist Roberto Lugo, a muralist who connects the gallery installation with the streets of Miami.
Penthouse W One
There is no denying the allure of Penthouse W One, an unparalleled retreat soaring above Miami's iconic coastlines. Perched atop the esteemed W South Beach Hotel, this penthouse is the sole oceanfront suite with its rooftop pool. Its sleek, contemporary design and minimalist elegance define luxury living. Boasting open-concept spaces adorned with floor-to-ceiling glass frames and breathtaking sea-to-sky vistas. The radiant whitewashed interiors accentuate the ocean's vivid turquoise hues. The penthouse offers an idyllic sanctuary for six guests with three ensuite bedrooms exuding South Beach glamor and immersive mirror accents. Outdoors, the expansive terrace beckons relaxation and entertainment with multiple lounge areas, an outdoor kitchenette, and a plunge pool, all overlooking the majestic Atlantic. Notably, this extraordinary home features artwork with explicit content, adding a touch of boldness to its refined atmosphere. Penthouse W One promises an unforgettable Miami luxury vacation experience.
MUST-SEE ART BASEL MIAMI GALLERIES
The thriving arts scene and galleries are part of what makes Miami so incredibly delicious to visit. When you’re in the city for Art Basel, take in some local galleries in between attending the show. Miami is the ideal destination for exploring innovative contemporary art by established and emerging artists. Here are some of those must-see galleries in various neighborhoods:
LITTLE HAITI
Oolite Arts makes its home in an artists’ studio space that has about 20 artists in residence. You can tour the exhibits and working studios to see artists creating and the processes they use. Oolite Arts seek to fulfill the role of being the bedrock of contemporary visual arts in Miami, bringing together a community of artists, alumni, curators and art lovers. Its residency program has provided opportunities for hundreds of emerging artists, including established creatives like Teresita Fernandez and Edouard Duval-Carrié.
PRIMARY
Founded in 2007, Primary is the mainstay of many street artists and muralists, including Miami-based Magnus Sodamin and Los Angeles artist Kenton Parker. Primary explores modern ideas regarding life and work and connects new voices in contemporary art with burgeoning audiences and collections.
EMERSON DORSCH
The Emerson Dorsch Gallery was one of the first in Wynwood—one of the first to make the area the prime arts location into which it has morphed today. Run by Brook Dorsch and Tyler Emerson-Dorsch, a husband-and-wife team, the couple led the foray of galleries opening in Little Haiti. Most of the work featured is from Southern Florida artists, and they also host exhibitions from mid-career and emerging artists.
FREDRIC SNITZER GALLERY
This gallery, pioneered by Fredric Snitzer in the 1970s and initially located in Coral Gables, is in Miami's Arts and Entertainment District. It remains one of the only ones to show at Art Basel Miami consistently. The gallery presents work across all media, including painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, photography, and performance, from a diverse range of contemporary artists, including Hernan Bas, Alice Aycock and Maria Martinez-Canas.
DAVID CASTILLO IN SOUTH BEACH
David Castillo is a well-known Miami art dealer. His new gallery space in the Design District has an impressive roster of contemporary artists. Castillo focuses on conceptual curatorial models as they relate to art historical, cultural, and personal investigations. The gallery works with artists committed to the integrity of their histories and studio practices as agents of the contemporary art climate. Among the artists exhibited have been Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jean Dubuffet, Wifredo Lam, Willem de Kooning, Morris Louis, Pablo Picasso, Jesus Rafael Soto, Rufino Tamayo, Andy Warhol, and many others.
FUTURAMA 1637 ART BUILDING IN LITTLE HAVANA
This gallery is an artists’ studio and exhibition space hosting 12 artists. Located on Calle Ocho, the gallery’s mission is to advance the knowledge and practice of contemporary visual arts and culture in Little Havana and to provide affordable workspace for outstanding visual artists in all stages of career development. A visit here is a great way to experience the contemporary art of Miami’s creative Cuban community all under one roof. Monthly events include art openings, music productions, and business and networking events.
If you love modern and contemporary art, you will surely want to attend Art Basel Miami this December. LVH can get you there to see the show in VIP style and will prepare a customized itinerary with incredible things to see and do while you’re in “The Magic City.” We invite you to reach out to one of our client relations team members, who will get the wheels in motion for you to be a part of this significant show in contemporary art. Plus, it’s Miami—always a great place and time to visit!