Art Basel is back in Miami and what a week it has been! Art enthusiasts and global socialites alike descended upon the city to see the latest art, network, mix and mingle, party and enjoy a week of great summer weather in December. In addition to the fair, various NFT events brought new crowds to the city. After nearly two years of pandemic headlines, lockdowns and restrictions the crowd was certainly in a mood to let lose and enjoy life again – this year’s Art Basel certainly felt like the best yet. Below are our highlights for the week:
Art Basel at Miami Beach Convention Center
Art Basel kicked off on Tuesday with two days of private viewing followed by three days of public access. We walked through the entire convention center multiple time until we had our favorite artwork list compiled – there was just so much to see. Here it is:
Eroded Porsche 911 by Daniel Arsham
The white-toned replica of a Porsche 911 was one of the most talked-about pieces of the show and sold for $500,000. Its fossilized appearance made it look like from another time.
Untitled painting by Christine Tien
Christine Tien is known for creating meme paintings exploring how our world has become less physical and increasingly more digital. Her art reflects common themes that affect the society at the moment
O Sanfoneiro alegre by Beatriz Milhazes
Beatriz Milhazes is known for her colorful abstract paintings, flowing and swirling geometric shapes. She has a long history of selling expensive artwork and was called the highest-priced living Brazilian artist – this year at Art Basel proved to be no different. Her abstract collage painting O Sanfoneiro alegre sold for $1.3m
Leonardo Drew at Anthony Meier Fine Arts
Leonardo Drew’s contemplative abstract sculptural works that play upon a tension between chaos and order were on display at Anthony Meier Fine Arts. Chunks of chipped plaster were organized into cubes of different colors. They were certainly much smaller in size than some of Leonardo’s previous works.
Events and Parties
Monday
We kicked off Art Basel with a press reception by Chanel to showcase Es Devlin new sculptural installation in the Miami Design District. It transforms Jungle Plaza into a temporary forest surrounding a monumental, sculptural labyrinth, animated by light, color, and sound.
Thereafter we headed to the Edition hotel in South Beach to celebrate the L’Officiel Magazine issue launch. Our highlight of the day was Art for Good, which first featured a discussion between Ghanian artist Serge Clottey and Michelin-star chef Jose Andres. This was followed by a sumptuous dinner by Jose Andres at the Ritz Carlton. It was the perfect opportunity to mix, mingle and network while enjoying caviar cones, oysters, jamon iberico and so much more.
Tuesday
The evening kicked off with an unveiling of Pilar Zeta’s latest installation on the beach outside of Faena. Guests were welcomed by Alan Faena himself alongside Miami Beach mayor Dan Gelber. After grabbing something to eat at Faena’s Tree of Life outside restaurant and re-fueling, we stayed at the hotel for an unforgettable party by Jean-Paul Gaultier. The party first started in Faena’s pool area with cocktails and canapes (also with a huge iceberg floating in the pool) before heading over to Faena’s theater. Drag star Violet Chachki gave a special burlesque performance before guests danced the night away
Wednesday
We first headed to the well-known Baoli restaurant for the official Art Basel vernissage after party where live art was created while attendees enjoyed cocktails and small bites. The main event for the day was Chanel’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of Chanel No. 5 with a unique lightshow (hundreds of flying drones) at Faena. The night sky was illuminated with perfume bottles, Chanel logos and more – a truly fascinating experience and better than most fireworks we have seen. After the lightshow, we attended the Chanel cocktail party for industry leaders and influencers which was beautifully located on Faena’s private beach
Thursday
Thursday proved to be a rush and logistical challenge with all the traffic going on. First we headed back to the Design District where Pucci and Elle Décor held a celebratory cocktail party. From there, we went straight back to South Beach to attend DuJour magazine’s Art Basel party at the National Hotel. Finally, Ocean Drive Magazine held a party for hundreds of guests at the Ritz Carlton pool area to celebrate their December issue release. From tuna tartare to espresso martinis – guests were well taken care of!
Friday
The evening kicked off outside of South Beach at Island Gardens where Ferrari hosted a unique boat auction event. Mayor Francis Suarez and LeMans champion Stefan Johansson were in attendance while this one-of-a-kind Ferrari race boat alongside its NFT rights were auctioned off. All while enjoying cocktails and small bites with a great view of downtown Miami waterfront. Afterwards it was time to head back to Faena where Pandora hosted their Art Basel event – including free pearl bracelets for all attendees. Finally, we danced the night away at Casa Tua where BigBunny and Playboy hosted an extravagant evening which featured new commissioned works by artists Nina McNeely and Maurice Harris as well as a collection of surrealist work from Playboy’s famed archive, and DJ Sets by Mona Matsuoka, Mia Moretti and Boys Noize
Saturday
Save the best for last? Well, Alec Monopoly certainly knows how to party. His event in collaboration with Bill Dean and Eden Gallery at Villa Terra Veritatis was another one for the books. This over-the-top event had every bit of glam and glitz you could hope for. The night was rounded off at LIV where Alec Monopoly and Steve Aoki where DJ’ing.
