Basel-Palooza
What’s the best way to describe Art Basel Miami Beach to an alien who’s landed on our shores? The Los Angeles Times probably sums it up best: “It's a classic art show. It's a funky happening on the beach. It's a hot social scene…” Yes, that captures it in a nutshell.
For four days, this international contemporary art show (and American sister event of Art Basel in Switzerland) takes over the city with a whirlwind of special events and art happenings. Miami Beach plays host to gallery owners, art dealers, museum curators and high-end collectors from around the world.
The main part of the fair takes place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, where international galleries sell a vast array of contemporary art. In addition to the Convention Center show, there is a smorgasbord of special exhibitions, performances, visits to private collections and crossover events from the film, music, fashion, and design arenas that take place throughout the city. This year, the show drew more than 36,000 visitors.
If you plan to visit Miami Beach during Art Basel, plan ahead. Hotels in Miami and Miami Beach are full to bursting – ditto for fashionable clubs and restaurants in the Miami Design District, Wynwood Arts and Entertainment District and South Beach. Next year, Art Basel takes place December 7-10, 2006. So if a winter escape is on your list of must-dos, reserve a hotel room in advance, or pick a weekend before or after the big event.
So, what was cool about this year’s Art Basel?
Well, the MagicCityBlogger sat down and had a chat with George Neary, who is the Associate Vice President for Cultural Tourism at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. During Art Basel, Mr. Neary holds court at the GMCVB’s information booth, handing out tons of brochures for local cultural groups, as well as maps and other information about the Magic City. Here is his “insider’s look” at the mega-event that is Art Basel.
MagicCityBlogger: So George, are you recovering from all the madness?
GN: Yes. It was quite a weekend. Art Basel had a record-breaking attendance and there were some really amazing exhibits.
MagicCityBlogger: Which ones caught your eye?
GN: The Swarovski Crystal exhibit [at the Paris Theater on Washington Avenue]. There were several objects – including a chandelier – covered with millions of tiny colored pieces of crystal. Blindingly beautiful.
MagicCityBlogger: How was the people-watching?
GN: I was too busy handing out brochures, but I did get to meet Dale Chihuly.
MagicCityBlogger: Oh, yes, the glass artist. What was he like?
GN: Very nice. Very creative.
MagicCityBlogger: What else was notable?
GN: Well, the opening of MOCA at Goldman Warehouse.
MagicCityBlogger: Tell me more.
GN: This is a new warehouse space donated to the Museum of Contemporary Art by local collector Tony Goldman. Thanks to his vision and generosity, MOCA will be able to exhibit additional works from its permanent collection as well as works from emerging artists.
MagicCityBlogger: Where is it, exactly?
GN: MOCA at Goldman Warehouse is in the Wynwood Arts and Entertainment District, just south of the Design District. This is where a number of new galleries have opened recently. Now, thanks to this new museum space, there will be increased foot traffic in Wynwood and more people will get to see some of the fabulous art for sale in these galleries. It’s a win-win situation.
MagicCityBlogger: Aren’t there more big art shows coming up?
GN: Yes. We’ve got Art Miami and Beaux Arts Festival [at the University of Miami] in January, Coconut Grove Arts Festival and Miami Beach Festival of the Arts in February, and ArteAmericas in March.
MagicCityBlogger: Any final thoughts about the show?
GN: What I love about the show are all of the side events that take place which showcase the strength and diversity of Miami’s arts groups. During Art Basel, Actors’ Playhouse opened its new play, Johnny Guitar, the Miami Symphony had a benefit concert on Lincoln Road, and there was the Art Loves Design block party, where nearly 2,000 people came out to see local art on display throughout the Miami Design District.
MagicCityBlogger: George, thanks for letting us pick your brain.
GN: You bet.
Helpful links:
Miami Arts & Culture:
http://www.gmcvb.com/visitors/arts_culture.asp
Miami Accommodations:
http://www.gmcvb.com/visitors/accommodations.asp
MOCA at Goldman Warehouse:
http://www.mocanomi.org/warehouse.htm
For four days, this international contemporary art show (and American sister event of Art Basel in Switzerland) takes over the city with a whirlwind of special events and art happenings. Miami Beach plays host to gallery owners, art dealers, museum curators and high-end collectors from around the world.
The main part of the fair takes place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, where international galleries sell a vast array of contemporary art. In addition to the Convention Center show, there is a smorgasbord of special exhibitions, performances, visits to private collections and crossover events from the film, music, fashion, and design arenas that take place throughout the city. This year, the show drew more than 36,000 visitors.
If you plan to visit Miami Beach during Art Basel, plan ahead. Hotels in Miami and Miami Beach are full to bursting – ditto for fashionable clubs and restaurants in the Miami Design District, Wynwood Arts and Entertainment District and South Beach. Next year, Art Basel takes place December 7-10, 2006. So if a winter escape is on your list of must-dos, reserve a hotel room in advance, or pick a weekend before or after the big event.
So, what was cool about this year’s Art Basel?
Well, the MagicCityBlogger sat down and had a chat with George Neary, who is the Associate Vice President for Cultural Tourism at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. During Art Basel, Mr. Neary holds court at the GMCVB’s information booth, handing out tons of brochures for local cultural groups, as well as maps and other information about the Magic City. Here is his “insider’s look” at the mega-event that is Art Basel.
MagicCityBlogger: So George, are you recovering from all the madness?
GN: Yes. It was quite a weekend. Art Basel had a record-breaking attendance and there were some really amazing exhibits.
MagicCityBlogger: Which ones caught your eye?
GN: The Swarovski Crystal exhibit [at the Paris Theater on Washington Avenue]. There were several objects – including a chandelier – covered with millions of tiny colored pieces of crystal. Blindingly beautiful.
MagicCityBlogger: How was the people-watching?
GN: I was too busy handing out brochures, but I did get to meet Dale Chihuly.
MagicCityBlogger: Oh, yes, the glass artist. What was he like?
GN: Very nice. Very creative.
MagicCityBlogger: What else was notable?
GN: Well, the opening of MOCA at Goldman Warehouse.
MagicCityBlogger: Tell me more.
GN: This is a new warehouse space donated to the Museum of Contemporary Art by local collector Tony Goldman. Thanks to his vision and generosity, MOCA will be able to exhibit additional works from its permanent collection as well as works from emerging artists.
MagicCityBlogger: Where is it, exactly?
GN: MOCA at Goldman Warehouse is in the Wynwood Arts and Entertainment District, just south of the Design District. This is where a number of new galleries have opened recently. Now, thanks to this new museum space, there will be increased foot traffic in Wynwood and more people will get to see some of the fabulous art for sale in these galleries. It’s a win-win situation.
MagicCityBlogger: Aren’t there more big art shows coming up?
GN: Yes. We’ve got Art Miami and Beaux Arts Festival [at the University of Miami] in January, Coconut Grove Arts Festival and Miami Beach Festival of the Arts in February, and ArteAmericas in March.
MagicCityBlogger: Any final thoughts about the show?
GN: What I love about the show are all of the side events that take place which showcase the strength and diversity of Miami’s arts groups. During Art Basel, Actors’ Playhouse opened its new play, Johnny Guitar, the Miami Symphony had a benefit concert on Lincoln Road, and there was the Art Loves Design block party, where nearly 2,000 people came out to see local art on display throughout the Miami Design District.
MagicCityBlogger: George, thanks for letting us pick your brain.
GN: You bet.
Helpful links:
Miami Arts & Culture:
http://www.gmcvb.com/visitors/arts_culture.asp
Miami Accommodations:
http://www.gmcvb.com/visitors/accommodations.asp
MOCA at Goldman Warehouse:
http://www.mocanomi.org/warehouse.htm
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