This year marks the 12th edition of Art Basel Miami Beach, the sister art fair to Art Basel, in its namesake city in Switzerland. Tens of thousands of collectors, curators, artists, gallerists, agents and art appreciators flock to the sunny tip of the U.S. during Dec. 3-8 for a week of all things art-and-culture. While Basel is certainly the ringleader of the seven-day fête, there are satellite fairs, museum exhibition and gallery openings, films, concerts, collection debuts, pop-ups, parties, brunches, etc., engulfing the city whole. It’s a lot to handle, we know. Hence this guide to this year’s AB/MB, Untitled‘s selection of unmisseable events – from a roundup of the fairs and exhibitions to a day-by-day guide – to keep you on the right guestlists during the art world’s week of weeks.
Miami Basel unofficially kicks off with the exclusive V.I.P. Vernissage on Wednesday, Dec. 4 before it opens its doors to the public Dec. 5-8. AB/MB is annually housed in the Miami Convention Center, which this year was redesigned by architect megastar Rem Koolhaas and local real estate maven Robert Wennet, who together won a $1 billion bid to remodel the center as well as the surrounding 52 acre site. No less than 258 modern and contemporary art galleries from 31 different countries will fill the center, displaying every medium from sculpture to photography from more than 4,000 artists. For the first time, there’s a special editioned-works section selling pieces on the lower end of the price spectrum (relatively), while influential heavyweights like Gagosian and Hauser & Wirth will expectedly sell museum-worthy masterpieces to more seasoned collectors.
Nearby at the Frank Gehry-designed New World Center, Art Basel’s film program will use 7,000 square feet of the facade as a screen on which to project films throughout the four days. Director of London’s Artprojx David Gryn curated the video program, and Zurich’s film connoisseur This Brunner selected the centerpiece, which will be the American premiere of Sabine Lidl‘s Nan Goldin: I Remember Your Face (Dec. 6, free but with limited seating). Films will also screen indoors in personal viewing pods inside the convention center, and Nan… will play at the Colony Theater, followed by a Q&A with Lidl and Goldin.
Satellite Fairs – The Roundup
SCOPE (Dec. 4-8) returns to Miami this year in a new 70,000 square-foot space on Ocean Drive in South Beach. Specializing in contemporary art and creative programming, SCOPE has been a part of the art world for more than a decade, having put on more than 65 art shows in Basel, Miami and New York. In addition to gallery stalls, this year is SCOPE’s second year teaming with VH1, which together will present ART + MUSIC + BEACH, an indoor lounge that merges music and art through on-air, online and on site collaboration. SCOPE opens to the ultra-V.I.P. on Dec. 2 with its Platinum Preview Gala followed by another V.I.P. opening on 3rd before opening to the public on the 4th. On Friday, their VH1 outdoor party is sure to be a massive event, featuring a yet-to-be-revealed musical guest.
NADA art fair (Dec. 5-8) annually put on by the New Art Dealears Alliance, is the only American art fair run by a non-profit, which supports contemporary artists. This year, housed at the Deauville Beach Resort, the fair sports all kinds of interesting add-ons to its traditional gallery set-up. In a pop-up shop in the Deauville’s lobby, NADA by American Apparel will sell clothing from the L.A.-based brand printed with work from four contemporary artists. And by night (Dec. 5-7), the second annual #NADAWAVE Miami Beach will host parties at Sandbar, organized by DJ Jon Santos. The fair itself opens Dec. 5, and Artsy.net will considerately let those who can’t make it browse the selection both online and on their iPhones, via a special app.
PULSE (Dec. 5-8) has been the leading US-only contemporary art fair since 2005. At Ice Palace Studios, the fair has expanded this year with bigger booths as well as a new layout that is divided into two sections: the galleries – established and emerging, both; and IMPULSE, a section devoted to galleries with solo exhibition project booths featuring emerging artists’ works created within the past two years. In every way, PULSE supports young talent, complete with a prestigious emerging artist prize announced Dec. 6. PULSE opens with an invite-only preview the morning of Dec. 5 before opening to the public later that day. If nothing else, be sure to stop in to the PULSE Play>video lounge, for performance events throughout the fair.
Art Miami (Dec. 3-8) is the most established of any of the fairs, with this year marking its 24th anniversary. Located in Midtown’s Wynwood Arts District, the fair showcases 20th and 21st century contemporary artwork from galleries worldwide. Think of it as Basel’s older sibling that delivers the same caliber of art in a less-sceney, more understated environment. In an adjacent pavilion, CONTEXT, its two-year-old sister fair, focuses on emerging and mid-career artists pushing the genre boundaries, both conceptually and technologically. Both fairs open with a V.I.P. preview and cocktail reception benefitting the new Pérez Art Museum Miami (see below) on Dec. 3.
Design Miami / (Dec. 4-8) is the annual design-focused fair of the bunch, showcasing furniture, lighting and art objects that are as much collectible as they are utilitarian (or perhaps more so). Modernist architect Fomlessfinder designed and built the entrance to the fair’s pavilion, which is adjacent to Basel’s convention center. In particular, don’t miss Mangue Groove an experimental installation by Guilherme Torres in collaboration with Swarovski Crystal Palace, which uses a lead-free form of Swarovski crystals in a faux Brazilian mangrove forest, which viewers can walk through for a virtual escape to nature during this hectic week.
Miami Project (Dec. 3-8) sits on the smaller end of the fair spectrum. The project will temporarily plant its roots in the Wynwood District, displaying and selling works both new and old. The experience here is more intimate, with only 60 galleries, all of which hail from cities Stateside. Although relatively few in number, the gallery names are recognizable, what with David Gross Fine Art, Steven Kasher and Yossi Milo, among other biggies. Co-founders Max Fishko and Jeffrey Wainhouse curate the event, which is set in a spacious, cathedral-ceilinged tent.
The Untitled‘s Day-By-Day Art Basel Guide
Tuesday, Dec. 3
Tracey Emin – Angel Without You Exhibition, MOCA
MOCA/Vanity Fair Opening Party (invitation only)
Open to the public through March 9
The most talked/Tweeted/posted event of the week, MOCA will host America’s first solo exhibition of Tracey Emin, a YBA founding member with a history of shockingly self-revelatory works. This particular exhibition, Angel Without You focuses on Emin’s relationship with neon, which will encompass the entire museum. The MOCA/Vanity Fair opening party on tonight is invite-only, but everyone can see the exhibit on view through Mar. 9.
Pérez Art Museum Miami Opening Preview (Invitation only), Biscayne Boulevard
Feat. Ai Wei Wei, Yael Bartana, Los Jaichackers & Total Freedom
What was once the Miami Art Museum is reopening during Art Basel as Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). Designed by Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron – two of the world’s premier architects – the museum resides in a new building in Museum Park off of Biscayne Boulevard and will open with world-class exhibitions by the likes of Ai Wei Wei and Yael Bartana. A members-only preview opening is tonight, featuring L.A.-based artists Los Jaichackers and music by Total Freedom, before the museum opens to the public tomorrow. With hanging gardens and exterior sculptures, the museum’s opening has been anticipated all year.
Thierry Noir & Porsche Design Event, Temple House (Invitation only)
Co-Hosted by Interview Magazine
Thierry Noir debuts his collaboration with Porsche Design in an invite-only event at the Temple House, co-hosted by Interview magazine. Noir claimed his fame by being the first street artist to paint the Berlin Wall, but his pop art has been prolific in galleries and museums worldwide, as well. At this event, he will debut 200 unique versions of Porsche’s iconic TwinBag, each hand painted with one of his signature “heart faces.”
Ferrari, Herzog & de Mueron Exhibition Opening, Lincoln Road Parking Garage
Feat. works by Keith Haring, Damien Hirst and Richard Prince
Herzog and de Mueron also designed a dramatic, architectural masterpiece of a parking garage on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, the top floor of which will house a Ferrari-sponsored exhibition during the week: “Piston Head: Artists Engage the Automobile,” which opens today. Artists including Keith Haring, Damien Hirst and Richard Prince have made works of art out of 14 cars, sure to be appealing to art and car enthusiasts alike.
Perrier’s Deluxx Fluxx Arcade 2013, Corner of 16th & Washington Ave
At a vacant storefront on the corner of 16th Street and Washington Ave., street art duo FAILE BÄST has installed Deluxx Fluxx Arcade 2013, presented by Perrier, an arcade experience with game machine artworks you can play – think pinball machines with GIFs and psychedelic foosball. (Dec. 3-8)
Cafe de la Musique Brazil Party w/ Jeffrey Jah, Favella Beach (Invitation only)
Feat. DJs Ruen Reid Waters and artist Jona Cerwinske
Cafe de la Musique Brazil and nightlife impresario Jeffrey Jah start off AB/MB on the right well heeled foot with an invite-only bash at Favella Beach, club-within-club WALL at the W Hotel. DJs Ruen Reid Waters will provide the sounds; Jona Cerwinske will provide the art.
Additional events include:
– SCOPE V.I.P. and press First View Benefit
– Design Miami / invite-only preview
– Miami Project opens to the public
Wednesday, Dec. 4
Broad Museum Talk – Eli & Edythe Broad w/ Elizabeth Diller & Joanne Heyler
Moderated by Paul Goldberger, New World Center, reservations required
Billionaire art collector couple Eli and Edythe Broad are soon to open the $140 million Broad Museum, which will be free to the public. In anticipation, they’ll speak with Elizabeth Diller, a founding principal of Diller Scofidio + Renfro – architecture firm that designed the museum – and the museum’s founding director, Joanne Heyler, in this art talk “The Un-Private Collection: Designing the Broad.” Architecture critic Paul Goldberger will moderate. (New World Center, reservations required)
Anna Galtrossa & Daniel Gonzalez Installation Opening, Diana Lowenstein
Criminal Aesthetic Fashion at the Skyscraper Club
Perhaps the most anticipated gallery exhibit of the week is at Diana Lowenstein, one of Miami’s oldest and best galleries. New York artists Anna Galtrossa and Daniel Gonzalez have created a major installation titled, “Criminal Aesthetic Fashion at the Skyscraper Club,” which will transform the gallery into a utopian space that supposedly makes gallery-goers feel like a nightclub, complete with mechanical skyscrapers. The exhibition opens today and runs through Jan. 25.
Visionaire Magazine presents Marina Abramovic’s Portrait
Jewel Box at YoungArts – Runs every fifteen minutes through Dec 7
Partnered with Visionaire magazine, visual artist Matthu Placek presents “Portrait,” a six-minute 3D portrait of a nude Marina Abramovic doing nothing but staring at you. The artist has collaborated with famous artists including Julian Schnabel, Cindy Sherman and David Salle in the past, but this short film, which will run every fifteen minutes beginning today through Dec. 7 inside the stained glass Jewel Box on the YoungArts campus in Wynwood, is certainly among her most provoking yet.
MCM and Harper’s BAZAAR Afternoon Fete & Pop-Up Store, Soho Beach House
BEYOND SNOWDOME: The MCM Collection By Craig & Karl (Invitation Only)
Harper’s BAZAAR presents the MCM Collection by Craig & Karl, a playful accessories collection featuring the work of these present-day pop artists, titled Beyond Snowdome. The presentation is at the Soho Beach House by invitation only, but at other times during the week, fashionistas can pop into the House to shop at BAZAAR‘s pop-up store, which will feature cocktail hours, beauty bars and personal style consultations with editors by appointment.
Vanessa Beecroft Retrospective Performance, Mana Wynwood
At the Mana Wynwood gallery, British artist Vanessa Beecroft will give a retrospective performance, showcasing replicas from past performances from 1994-2008. This special event will feature 140 women acting as a choir in a Greek tragedy, and Kanye West is rumored to by participating, as well.
Matthew Stone’s Hybrid Opera – Love Focused Like A Laser, Shore Club
Followed by Opening Party
Presented by New York art gallery The Hole, British artist Matthew Stone will present “Love Focused Like a Laser,” a hybrid opera that runs 20 minutes and incorporates video sculpture, ballet dancers and inventive costumes. Stone has never been known for subtlety; expect to be shocked. The event, which will happen at the Shore Club, will be followed by a party in the same locale that will certainly be a blow-out, judging by the likes of their bashes of years past.
Silencio Pop-Up Nightclub, Miami Design District
Designed by David Lynch, hosted by Pharrell Williams w/ Takashi Murakami videos
Parisian nightclub Silencio will install itself for one night only in the Design District at a location yet undisclosed for what is sure to be one of the biggest parties of the week. The pop-up will be designed by David Lynch, hosted by Pharell Williams, feature videos by Takashi Murakami and have a surprise performance by someone sure to be of equal celebrity status.
Flaunt magazine and 3P Productions Art Basel Launch, Mana Wynwood
Feat. Kendrick Lamar & DZA. Invitation only party presented by MOCA, following four nights ticketed for the public.
Flaunt magazine and 3P Productions have joined forces to host a five-day music series at Mana Wynwood, which launches tonight with a performance headlined by Kendrick Lamar with special guests including DZA. This kickoff party is a private event thrown in conjunction with MOCA, but the following four nights are open to the public with tickets.
Additional events include:
– Art Basel V.I.P. Vernissage
– SCOPE opens to the public
– Art Miami and CONTEXT V.I.P. preview followed by opening to the public
– Design Miami / opens to the public
Thursday, Dec. 5
Tracey Emin Book Signing, Fontainebleau Hotel
Book purchase for entry
Tracey Emin continues her Miami moment at the Fontainebleau Hotel this morning with a book signing. A book purchase admits two, though an RSVP is required. Meeting the artist is worth getting up for.
Advanced Film Screening of Her followed by Q&A Session with Spike Jonze, Regal Cinemas
Hosted by MOCA Director Jeffrey Deitch
At Regal Cinemas, see an advanced screening of Spike Jonze‘s upcoming film Her. The film – Jonze’s first time screenwriting – captures Joaquin Phoenix falling in love with the voice of a computer operating system, played by Scarlett Johansson. Following the film, Deitch will interview Jonze about his artistic process.
Juxtapoz Magazine & Chandran Gallery at the Shore Club
Three-day invitation only program – installations, cocktails and more
Juxtapoz art magazine annually makes a scene at AB/MB, and this year, it’s partnering with San Francisco’s Chandran Gallery at the Shore Club in South Beach. Setting up camp for a three-day invite-only extravaganza (Dec. 5-7), the Club will be don art installations by Geoff McFetridge, Andrew Shoultz, Monica Canilao, Swoon and Shepard Fairey as well as private concerts, cocktail hours and brunches.
Room 40 Pop-Up Space Launch Dinner, The Standard Spa (invitation only)
Massage Treatments & Gallery open daily to the public.
The Standard Spa welcomes a pop-up gallery, Room 40, the brainchild of Andre Saraiva and photographer Jean Pigozzi.By day, it serves as a necessary indulgence of a concept space for the week, offering massages during the day before turning on the lights and becoming a gallery at night, exhibiting work by the artists. Their invite-only dinner is tonight.
Alec Monopoly, Man Overboard Exhibition Opening Night, MV Copasetic Yacht
Presented with Suitcase Magazine, feat. The Knocks & DJ Guy Gerber (Invitation only)
In collaboration with Suitcase magazine, artist Alec Monopoly will present his “Man Overboard” exhibition, appropriately on the MV Copasetic Yacht harbored in the Fountainbleau Marina. Curated by Guy Hepner and Andon Artists and set to music by The Knocks and DJ Guy Gerber, the invite-only night on the boat will immerse party-goers in an all-encompassing experience, life jackets optional.
Paul Kasmin gallery and PAPER magazine, Somewhere Over The Rainbow Installation Launch
Poolside, Mondrian South Beach, through Jan 15 (Launch invitation only)
Inflatable installation “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” opens with a reception at Poolside at the Mondrian South Beach. Prepare to view the vibrant, as Miami artists Friends With You teamed with the Paul Kasmin Gallery and PAPER magazine to create this installation that explores how the color spectrum affects our emotions. (on view through Jan. 15)
6-9pm NoBe67 Prêt à Porter, Miami Beach’s first Fashion Fair, Deauville Beach Resort
Opening night invitation only.
Art Basel’s first fashion fair, NoBe67 Prêt à Porter, launches at the Deauville Lounge in the Deauville Hotel with an invite-only cocktail reception featuring music spun by DJ Jilly Hendrix. The two-day event open to the public will showcase emerging designers including Monica Ocejo, Casa Del Rio and Pitusa UK among others.
Art Basel Miami Beach | Conversations – Doug Aitken, Convention Center
Artist talk hosted by Artforum Editor Michelle Kuo
Doug Aitken will give one of the most notable artist talks of Basel at the Convention Center, discussing his recent experience with Station to Station, an artistic nomadic “happening” on a train that traveled cross-country, stopping in towns and cities along the way for gatherings of musicians, artists and creative types. And who better for him to talk to than Artforum editor Michelle Kuo?
Wallpaper* Handmade with Jaguar Exhibition US Launch, Miami Design District
Invitation only
Wallpaper* Handmade partnered with Jaguar to create automobile-inspired design pieces that will premiere at this collaborative exhibit that has already made its way through Milan and London. The brand new Jaguar C-X17 concept car and F-TYPE Coupe will also be displayed here for the first time since the L.A. Auto Show. V.I.P. opening party is tonight, though the cars and designs will be on display Dec. 4-8.
Maison Martin Margiela & Atelier Swarovski Crystalactite Collection Unveiling
w/ Baptiste Debombourg installation (Invitation only)
At an invite-only cocktail party, Maision Martin Margiela and Atelier Swarovski unveil their new collection, “Crystalactite,” which, from images released, looks exactly as one would image – giant, inches-long crystals spiking out from bands of platinum and silver for a darkly beautiful jewelry collection. This premier presentation will be accompanied by an installation of similar mood by French artist Baptiste Debombourg called, “Stalker
Flaunt & 3P Night Two feat. Darkside & Children of the Light, Mana Wynwood
Open to the public (ticketed)
Flaunt and 3P’s second night of performances features Darkside, the power duo formed by music artists Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington. Their music will be set to a visual art installations created by Children of the Light, as well as “other people” – whoever they prove to be, Flaunt surely has chosen well. (Purchase tickets here)
What else is happening?
– Art Basel opens to public
– NADA invite-only preview, followed by opening to the public
– PULSE invite-only preview, followed by opening to the public
Friday, Dec. 6
The SCOPE Pavilion Official VH1 + SCOPE Party
The SCOPE Pavilion turns into a party palace for a night with its Official VH1 + SCOPE Party – Twin-sister Indie icons Tegan and Sara will perform alongside DJ Cassidy. Here is the SCOPE schedule for more events
GQ’s Glenn O’Brien Book Release & Ryan McGuinness Pop Art Drawing Class, The Standard Spa
Head to the Standard Spa for two book releases and a drawing class this evening. First, Glenn O’Brien – GQ’s “The Style Guy” – sits pretty to sign his novel, Penance, a limited edition publishing of transcripts from when he installed himself as a faux-priest at the Chelsea Hotel and took confessionals from willing guests. Similarly tongue-in-cheek, O’Brien will be followed by skater-kid-come-pop-artist Ryan McGinness, who will teach a drawing class before launching his latest book, Sketchbook Solutions.
Artbinder App Launch w/ Christie’s & Maker Magazine, Mango’s Tropical Cafe
Feat. DJs Hannah Bronfman, Todd Eberle & Justin Lowe and Jonah Freeman
Invitation only
Leading gallery phone app provider ArtBinder has launched its latest, “Viewer,” which puts the collections of the world’s most renowned galleries in the palm of your hand (go download it now – we mean it). Christie’s and Maker magazine are helping it celebrate at a party at Mango’s Tropical Cafe, co-hosted by Jemima Kirke, Peter McGough and Annabelle Dexter-Jones. Fashion-set DJs Hannah Bronfman, Todd Eberle & Justin Lowe and Jonah Freeman will take turns spinning at the turntables. With all these stars, the event is invite-only, but it’s worth noting if for no other reason than to see what they wore on GuestOfAGuest the next day.
Flaunt and 3P present Boy George Acoustic Set, Mana Wynwood
Open to the public (ticketed)
Flaunt and 3P’s third night together brings an acoustic set from Boy George, whose androgynous get-up formerly formerly graced him as frontman for Culture Club. His soulful, bluesy pop melodies work equally well sung solo. (Purchase tickets here)
Additional events include:
5:30-8:30pm Gregory & Joyce Hurst Art Basel Miami Beach Champagne Reception
Invitation only.
Saturday, Dec. 7
David Foox Live Painting Performance, Soho Beach House
Invitation only
L.A.-based outsider artist David Foox is known for his philosophical approach to art. Contemplate him in action at the Soho Beach House, where he will perform a live painting, incorporating traditional rituals of sorts into the act.
Basel Castle Party, Grand Central Park
Feat. SBTRKT, Chance the Rapper, Travis $cott, Been Trill and more.
AB/MB would not be the same without the annual Basel Castle, one of the most notoriously grandiose parties of the week. This year, it will be downtown at the Grand Central Park, a venue large enough to accommodate its plethora of musical and visual artists: SBTRKT, Chance the Rapper, Travis $cott, Been Trill, Heroes + Villians, Mystery Skulls included in the former category; Greg Mike, Nychos, MADSTEEZ included among others in the latter. (Purchase tickets here)
Flaunt and 3P Final Party w/ Questlove, Mana Wynwood
Open to the public (ticketed)
Flaunt and 3P tapped Questlove to grace Mana Wynwood with his cool self for their last nighttime bash of the week. A special guest will also be performing, who – if the rest of their lineup has taught us anything – likely won’t disappoint, though, for their sake, we hope they will play first. Quest is a tough act to follow, with the exception of Sunday brunch, which you could very well still be awake for. (Purchase tickets here)
Sunday, Dec. 8
10pm Bushwick Gone Basel Showcase, South Beach
After a non-stop week, today takes it easy on the event front. Bushwick Gone Basel in South Beach is the main art event of the day, a showcase of 25 Brooklyn artists with a scattering of musical performances beginning at 10 p.m.
Fool’s Gold Day Party w/ A-Trak and Dave 1 (Chromeo)
Mana Wynwood, Free
Fool’s Gold closes out AB/MB at Mana Wynwood with a day party featuring a dozen-or-so music acts, including A-Trak and Dave 1 of Chromeo. For those with any amount of stamina remaining, the event is free and open to the public.
