Art Basel Lowdown
This morning on the radio I heard that rocker Marilyn Manson’s wife will be doing a burlesque show -- from a giant champagne glass, no less -- in the Delano hotel’s swimming pool.
This is just one of the many side shows taking place during Art Basel, Miami’s mammoth annual art extravaganza. This year, Art Basel takes place from December 7 to 10. For me, the key to enjoying Art Basel is to focus in on the things you really want to see. (I’ll pass on Mrs. Manson, thanks very much.)
It is impossible to attend all of the myriad special events and new artist showcases surrounding Art Basel, so it’s best to plan ahead and select the events and exhibits that interest you the most. One year, the weather was hot and I spent too much time popping in and out of barely air-conditioned trucking containers at Art Positions, a show for new artists that takes place on the beach. Right next door, at the Townhouse hotel, I huffed and puffed up several flights of stairs to see more “relative unknowns” displaying their wares at Scope Miami. I didn’t find any art that I absolutely had to take home with me, and I was hot, sweaty and very thirsty by the time I made it over to Art Basel’s main show at the Miami Beach Convention Center. I was too exhausted to fully enjoy it, and learned an important lesson about pacing myself.
The fun of the main show, for me, is the chance to enjoy famous modern art close-up. The energy of seeing these works on display at Art Basel is different than in a museum setting. There’s a thrill in the air that somebody might actually buy something right in front of you, taking home a museum-worthy piece for their very own enjoyment. In years past, I’ve gotten to browse Andy Warhol’s Mao series, Jim Dine’s bathrobe paintings and the black-on-black sculptures of Louise Nevelson. Some of these works of art had changed hands numerous times; some were entering the market for the very first time.
Years ago, I blew a chance to purchase one of Warhol’s Mick Jagger paintings for around $1,200 at a gallery in Bay Harbor Islands. On my honeymoon in New Orleans, I didn’t feel I could afford one of the paintings by a talented street artist whose work I’d been admiring from my Bourbon Street hotel window. His name was James Michalopoulos. He’s really famous now, with a gallery that’s become a New Orleans tourist attraction of its own. My $300 investment back in 1993 would be worth several thousand dollars today.
The bottom line is, if you have a gut feeling for an “undiscovered” artist, BET THE FARM. You won’t be sorry.
My one lucky strike was purchasing a work by Romero Britto before he became famous. It was 1987 and I had just returned from a trip to France. Mr. Britto was totally unknown and had just arrived in Miami from Brazil. He was displaying his artwork around the pool during a Bastille Day party at the Sofitel hotel. Missing France already, I purchased a black-and-white silkscreen of the Paris skyline. Mr. Britto wrote nice things all over the back of the painting for me. I framed it and am still enjoying it.
Those of us without the deep pockets to purchase some of the highly collectible works at Art Basel can still have fun. There are a ton of colorful gallery postcards at the show’s various booths. Take some home and frame them, and voila! – a free work of art for your bathroom wall or other small space. More freebies can be had from the international art publications at the show. They’re more than happy to give you copies of their latest issues. Before you know it, your tote bag will be bursting with cool stuff.
The food at Art Basel is worth a mention. It is not the usual convention center “cuisine” of hot dogs and lukewarm nachos. The salads, sandwiches, hot entrees and yummy desserts are catered by local gourmet restaurants. Wine and beer are available, along with sparkling water and other beverages. It's nice to be able to take a break from all the visual stimuli and enjoy a delicious meal.
Last but not least of Basel's many attractions is people-watching. Art world people dress, act and live according to their own drummers. If you’re old enough to remember Dieter, the German art dealer played so hilariously by Mike Myers on Saturday Night Live, you’ll know what I’m talking about. If not, just hang out at one of the busy art booth intersections at Art Basel and take in the sights. You’re definitely not in Kansas.
This is just one of the many side shows taking place during Art Basel, Miami’s mammoth annual art extravaganza. This year, Art Basel takes place from December 7 to 10. For me, the key to enjoying Art Basel is to focus in on the things you really want to see. (I’ll pass on Mrs. Manson, thanks very much.)
It is impossible to attend all of the myriad special events and new artist showcases surrounding Art Basel, so it’s best to plan ahead and select the events and exhibits that interest you the most. One year, the weather was hot and I spent too much time popping in and out of barely air-conditioned trucking containers at Art Positions, a show for new artists that takes place on the beach. Right next door, at the Townhouse hotel, I huffed and puffed up several flights of stairs to see more “relative unknowns” displaying their wares at Scope Miami. I didn’t find any art that I absolutely had to take home with me, and I was hot, sweaty and very thirsty by the time I made it over to Art Basel’s main show at the Miami Beach Convention Center. I was too exhausted to fully enjoy it, and learned an important lesson about pacing myself.
The fun of the main show, for me, is the chance to enjoy famous modern art close-up. The energy of seeing these works on display at Art Basel is different than in a museum setting. There’s a thrill in the air that somebody might actually buy something right in front of you, taking home a museum-worthy piece for their very own enjoyment. In years past, I’ve gotten to browse Andy Warhol’s Mao series, Jim Dine’s bathrobe paintings and the black-on-black sculptures of Louise Nevelson. Some of these works of art had changed hands numerous times; some were entering the market for the very first time.
Years ago, I blew a chance to purchase one of Warhol’s Mick Jagger paintings for around $1,200 at a gallery in Bay Harbor Islands. On my honeymoon in New Orleans, I didn’t feel I could afford one of the paintings by a talented street artist whose work I’d been admiring from my Bourbon Street hotel window. His name was James Michalopoulos. He’s really famous now, with a gallery that’s become a New Orleans tourist attraction of its own. My $300 investment back in 1993 would be worth several thousand dollars today.
The bottom line is, if you have a gut feeling for an “undiscovered” artist, BET THE FARM. You won’t be sorry.
My one lucky strike was purchasing a work by Romero Britto before he became famous. It was 1987 and I had just returned from a trip to France. Mr. Britto was totally unknown and had just arrived in Miami from Brazil. He was displaying his artwork around the pool during a Bastille Day party at the Sofitel hotel. Missing France already, I purchased a black-and-white silkscreen of the Paris skyline. Mr. Britto wrote nice things all over the back of the painting for me. I framed it and am still enjoying it.
Those of us without the deep pockets to purchase some of the highly collectible works at Art Basel can still have fun. There are a ton of colorful gallery postcards at the show’s various booths. Take some home and frame them, and voila! – a free work of art for your bathroom wall or other small space. More freebies can be had from the international art publications at the show. They’re more than happy to give you copies of their latest issues. Before you know it, your tote bag will be bursting with cool stuff.
The food at Art Basel is worth a mention. It is not the usual convention center “cuisine” of hot dogs and lukewarm nachos. The salads, sandwiches, hot entrees and yummy desserts are catered by local gourmet restaurants. Wine and beer are available, along with sparkling water and other beverages. It's nice to be able to take a break from all the visual stimuli and enjoy a delicious meal.
Last but not least of Basel's many attractions is people-watching. Art world people dress, act and live according to their own drummers. If you’re old enough to remember Dieter, the German art dealer played so hilariously by Mike Myers on Saturday Night Live, you’ll know what I’m talking about. If not, just hang out at one of the busy art booth intersections at Art Basel and take in the sights. You’re definitely not in Kansas.
posted by Carolyn Keating at
6:11 AM
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