Go for the art, stay for the parties…
James Lane Post headed to Miami for some of its most bustling days of the year. A time when galleries, collectors, buyers, brands, and more — many of which are from the East End art world — descend upon the beaches and communities of Miami to highlight art, and the art of connecting, at the many events and activations that accompany the fairs. We’ve compiled a recap.
The Fairs & Exhibits
Art Basel
Art Basel art fair took place from December 1 to 3, with preview days on November 29 and 30, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in Miami Beach, Art Basel staged its largest-ever edition marked by buoyant sales, strong attendance from international collectors and institutions, and standout presentations from the Americas and beyond. The event saw an overall attendance of 76,000 throughout its VIP and public days, attracting major collectors and institutions from 88 countries. From East Hampton, Canada Gallery displayed at Art Basel.
Celebrating 20 years of Art Basel in Miami Beach, Art Basel launched a Gift-Giving Campaign with a lead gift to the STEAM + program, whose mission is to bring active artists into the seven public schools of the city of Miami Beach.
Art Miami & CONTEXT
Art enthusiasts and guests from across the globe enjoyed a week of iconic art at the 32nd edition of Art Miami and sister fair CONTEXT Art Miami. Attendees included music legend Jon Bon Jovi, fashion designer Ariana Rockefeller, financier Carl Icahn, noted Warhol collector David Mugrabi, fashion designer Donna Karan, well-known investor and The Shark Group Founder Daymond John, and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.
The fairs provided an intimate look at some of the most important work at the forefront of the international contemporary art movement.
On Friday, December 2, writer, lecturer, political activist, and iconic feminist organizer Gloria Steinem unveiled her collaborative work with artist Max Steven Grossman at the female-led Sponder Gallery’s Art Miami booth. The pair’s collaboration, “Gloria Steinem Bookscape,” is an artistic expression of Steinem’s extensive personal book collection. The unveiling event served as fundraiser for Steinem’s foundation, Gloria’s Foundation, which supports and nurtures the feminist movement. Proceeds from the sale of the artwork at Art Miami will benefit the National Network of Abortion Funds.
In response to current events in Ukraine, galleries showcased works to raise awareness and funds for the crisis abroad. Chase Contemporary (located in New York City and East Hampton) released a limited edition signed and numbered print by 11-year-old art prodigy Andres Valencia with 100 percent of the funds going to the Klitchko Foundation.
East End galleries represented at Art Miami include Mark Borghi and Keyes Art Gallery, both located in Sag Harbor. Sales were strong throughout the week, with highlights including Keyes Art’s sale of an untitled 1989 Reflection by Roy Lichtenstein for $1.5 million.
Untitled Art
Untitled Art Miami Beach’s 11th edition of the fair brought together over 140 exhibitors from around the world, reporting vigorous sales and an overall attendance of 50,000 guests throughout its VIP and public days.
“We were thrilled to welcome high-level patrons and leading private collectors from North America and across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, as well as directors and leadership figures from over 260 institutions and museums, and over 350 curators from cultural organizations and independent initiatives alike,” read a statement.
Scope Miami Beach
Scope Miami Beach’s 21st edition was held on the beach in South Beach. The show provides a platform for experiential innovation and welcomed over 150 contemporary exhibitors. Front and center was the Monolith, a monumental sculpture piece produced by ArtRepublic with curatorial guest Superchief, which provided a digital art instillation featuring emerging and blue-chip artists. Hamptons artist Leila Pinto was an artist featured with her work “Aquamarine Waters.”
Counterpoint Contemporary from Bridgehampton also exhibited at this year’s Scope show. Another highlight of Scope was a bash hosted by VaynerX where guests took a step into the metaverse at V to celebrate art, technology and culture in Web3.
Aorist
Aorist, the cultural institution supporting artists creating at the edge of art and technology, returned to Miami Beach with a new commission titled “Living Room” by art group Random International, pioneers of immersive art — held in a purpose built pavilion at Faena Beach. Aorist and Faena Art also co-presented “Effets de Soir” by multimedia artist Quayola for the first time in the United States. The video series debuted November 29 and is on view until January 8 in the Faena Art Project Room, Faena Art’s dedicated space in Miami Beach for artistic experimentation and the development of innovative ideas.
Satellite Art Show
Satellite Art Show at Indian Beach Park –- an artist-run organization consisting of team members Brian Andrew Whiteley and Quinn Dukes — presented interactive projects by young dealers, artist-run spaces and non-profits, each displayed in shipping containers on the beach. The show offered a unique experience filled with creative expression, curiosity, and activism.
The Parties & Pop Ups
A few hot party tickets included events upon the Casa Del Sol Yacht and NYLON House at the Goodtime Hotel, presented by BMW and David Grutman, while the fashion and art worlds collided with parties happening for Balmain, Prada, Burberry, Rebecca Minkoff, Giorgio Armani, Saint Laurent, Tiffany & Co., and many others.
The Cultivist kicked off Miami Art Week with an event at the residence of Ivana Jermoluk, in partnership with Jimmy Choo and Harper’s BAZAAR. Jermoluk hosted the event alongside Jaime Wynn, President of Jimmy Choo, Americas, and Miguel Enamorado, Accessories Director at Harper’s BAZAAR. Dobel cocktails and canapés were served in the garden as The Cultivist community marveled at the site-specific installation by fiber artist Katrina Sánchez, commissioned specially for the event.
The Cultivist also celebrated its sixth annual Artist Lunch. The luncheon, honoring artist Lucia Hierro and co-hosted by Maestro Dobel Tequila, took place at The Setai Miami Beach. Attended by members from all across the world, and the artists and curators The Cultivist has partnered with over the past year, the occasion overtook the entire Setai Courtyard in celebration.
The Galore x NTWRK Art Basel party was held on Thursday, December 1, at La Otra. The party was hosted by Miss Columbia and Miami native model, actor, and fashion designer, Ariadna Gutierrez. The event highlighted the 11” Lancome Be@brick art installation that NTWRK collaborated on with Lancome earlier this year and was on full display in a glass encasement.
The event also featured King Saladeen x Intel Art Installation. The Philly based visual artist who has collaborated with the NFL, Nike, Mercedes, Topps, and Beats by Dre, displayed his first to world NFTs. There was also a performances from Latin GRAMMY award nominated singer, songwriter Manu Manzo.
Nazy Nazhand brought the art and music world together at The Miami Beach EDITION for a vinyl signing party celebrating Carl Craig’s 2022 release Party/After-Party. In 2020, Dia premiered “Party/After-Party” by the acclaimed Detroit-based techno DJ and producer — this work was Craig’s first commission for an art institution and culminated in a five-year engagement with Dia.
Desert X and Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club held a sunset reception for Desert X 2023, a site-specific, contemporary art exhibition that is held in the Coachella Valley in Southern California.
Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff hosted Celebrating the Art of Style reception at the Hotel Croydon. Attendees at the reception included Lucia Hwong Gordon, Nicole Noonan, Steven Knobel, Pamela Morgan, Pamela O’Connor, Ivan Linn, Madison Sheffer, Austin Wright, Cagri Kanver, Suleyman Kosif, Linjie Deng, Paul Keongs, Sandy Gluck, Wendy Federman, Leila Pinto, Maria van Vlodrop, Francis Tan, Vincent Tam, Jason T. Busch, John Arundel, and Preston Willis.
NOLCHA @ SLS Hotel South Beach held a VIP Cocktail reception at Hyde Beach with Origen Holistic Spirits and NFT VIP. A VIP preview for artist Daniel Mazzone was held at 1Hotel, hosted by NFT VIP.
Babor skincare held a dinner at Blue Ribbon Sushi to celebrate the week and its limited-edition Ampoule Serum Concentrates that were inspired by the artwork by artist Paul Schrader.
Jennifer Miller Jewelry in the W Hotel South Beach welcomed a pop up by actress Lois Robbins’ new sunwear and activewear brand WATSKIN.
Fyli hosted its Own Your Worth: Women of the Art World event at Soho Beach House. The event brought together top female artists from different mediums and generations to celebrate art and culture. Featured speakers included Carey Shuffman, Phoenix James, Karen Bystedt, Kandy Lopez-Moreno, Marie Audier, Shauna Alexander, and Bianca Benedetti-Fang. Fyli also hosted Discotheque by Jennifer Frommer x fylí x UBS powered by Ladies Journey at Soho Beach House. The event featured dancers from Black Box Studio Miami and DJs Just Max and Rich Greene.
Break the Love and Lillet took over MOE Studio in Miami for a weekend of pickleball, spritzes, and live art by Emma Ortiz. The event also featured manicures by Chillhouse and hair-care by Ceremonia.
ICA Miami’s Opening Night, sponsored by UOVO, celebrated the first U.S. solo museum exhibition for Michel Majerus, a presentation of new works by Nina Chanel Abney, ground floor presentations featuring Hervé Télémaque and Jiang Chang, and an installation by architect Suchi Reddy.