ART BASEL’S MIAMI BEACH FLOORPLAN
OPINION / Andrés Corredor O.
To give you some background, I have been commissioned in the past, attending Art Basel Miami Beach in 2006, 2007, 2009 and most recently 2021. In between, I have participated in multiple international art fairs across Latin America and Europe. I have covered art fairs including ARTBO in Bogotá, Feria ARCO in Madrid as well as smaller emerging art fairs.
Visiting Art Basel’s more than 185 of the world’s leading modern and contemporary art galleries, conferences and special events this year, was a view that we’ve long been awaiting here at Runner Media Group.
This year, I was invited by a group of collectors, which allowed me to have unlimited access, focusing on the different sections at the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) and less on my registration which typically takes half a day. I have to say, Art Basel’s organization after being part of reams of media and communications protocols, continues to be one of the finest in the world — namely the mobile app provided essential information about the show with Online Viewing Rooms (OVRs) — and several detailed virtual experiences.
Day 1
One has to consider that South Beach is still coping with a very alarming number of Covid-19 cases, not least South Florida (Miami Dade), makes-up that quintessentially Americana society, confronting and pushing boundaries of existing narratives (from the left and the right), that criticize Biden’s administration and the management of the pandemia. The hype is not over. Media outlets covered the front pages and local news channels, focused mainly on the new announcements coming from the White House. This was very differently, than elsewhere in the country, perhaps trying to be open-minded about enforcing a vaccine mandate during the holidays. There is a sea change in the art landscape, drawing attention on the need of a Covid-19 test upon arrival at the MBCC. This is a massive undertaking that requires all organizations, lead partners, show partners and media partners as a whole, to change with the times.
Day 2
I took a detailed walk starting on the East level of the Convention Center viewing some of the most prestigious art collections (Victoria Miro, Sikkema Jenkins, Vielmetter, Anton Kern among a selected few). Next, was NOVA, a selected group of 26 galleries with works created by emerging artists within the past three years that were never-seen-before pieces. A strongly curatorial juxtaposition as the organizer’s so cleverly presented them.
All along the Convention Center, the pace of the collectors and residents, were curiously seen by those walking with or without a mask. Art Basel brings the best crowd to Miami. I happened to see one of my early crushes, Elle McPherson visiting Art Basel. She’s stunning! Along the galleries, one could spot a string of local celebs, spotted by the VIP lounges and the North and South plaza. Mayor Francis Suarez was one of the local residents committed to elevating the QoL of Miami. I have to hand it to him, and to his communications team for his omnipresence and direct results.
Elsewhere, Untitled Miami Beach Fair 10th edition (www.untitledartfairs.com) was the most innovative platform for discovering contemporary art. This event was held on South Beach. Untitled Art guest curators Estrellita Brodsky and José Falconi, brought together works by over 25 artists from Latin American private collections and institutions. If you are an art student, collector or interested in learning more, I highly recommend the Untitled Art Podcast, which explores contemporary art via multidisciplinary approaches. I have to give a shout-out to some of my favorite gallerists, particularly to my friend and host Yng-Ru Chen, Founder and CEO of Praise Shadows Art Gallery (Brookline). Wishing all the best for the year to come. Kudos! Also, to my friends at AFIKARIS (France) for sharing with me the The New Hercules series, by artist Jean David Nkot.
Finally, if you haven’t already guessed it. We attended some of the best parties in town. The beauty of its residents can be seen anywhere. But one of my favorite events was the inauguration of the Saint Laurent Rive Droite by artist Sho Shibuya a temporary exhibition titled “55 Sunrises”.
Check out this excellent piece by Marthe Mabille for Vogue France and also don’t forget to follow and view my photos from Art Basel South Beach on my Instagram account.
