ArtRow hit Art Basel Miami Beach and the constellation of other fairs, openings, museum events and parties! From expert panel discussions and artist meet-and-greets to VIP openings and dazzling parties, we were thrilled to be at the centre of the art world for one electrifying week!
Dealers, gallerists, curators and art advisors came from Europe, the UK, Asia and North America to take the temperature of the art market after a rather dismal year or so of general market constrictions and political upheaval. The tropical setting and balmy weather was a temporary panacea to this global unrest and a slightly cautious approach tempered all-out exuberance. The result was a week of art-only discussions and a focus on the future of art – where are we and what is next!? We attended 6 art fairs, 2 of which were on the beach, and we are delighted to provide a synopsis here.
Art Basel Miami Beach
The Basel brand includes the original fair in Basel, Germany that has since expanded to Hong Kong, Paris, and Miami. The Miami edition is held in the South Beach Convention Centre in a dizzying scale that takes days to view. From “mega galleries” such as Gagosian and Pace to blue chip and boutique galleries, the fair features global art stars who are making waves in museums and biennales as well as established modern and contemporary “masters.” From awe inspiring installations to intimate viewing experiences in booths and viewing rooms, Art Basel attracts celebrity art collectors (Leo diCaprio was spotted at our VIP day) as well as institutions who are acquiring important works for their collections.
NADA Art Fair (New Art Dealers Alliance)
NADA is a non-profit organization that hosts this annual fair in Miami and NY to highlight the best of current emerging and contemporary art. This is always a favorite fair for ArtRow – the vibe promotes discussion and engagement and the works range in price providing accessibility. In addition, it is the fair that illuminates current trends in the art world. This year, it was ceramics and silk. Another standout was Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka whose intricate prints highlight changing topographies on our planet and weave together paper making techniques, printmaking practices and a post-modern critique of both cultural and economic practices.
Untitled & Scope Art Fairs (on the beach!)
Untitled draws crowds for its fun and energetic display and diverse offerings from many markets. In a bright pink marquee on the beach, VIP night was packed with party-goers and the art curious. One of ArtRow’s artists, Marika St. Rose Yeo, was featured by New York’s LatchKey Gallery. While ceramics were prevalent in Miami this year, Marika’s exquisite vessels have been recognized nationally and internationally for several years, including by the Canada Council Art Bank who recently acquired her work.
Scope art fair wins our prize for most dramatic beach venue. The fair is tech-friendly and future-facing and welcomes new, emerging and experimental art. Tokyo galleries were particular stand-outs for us with their hybrid presentations of figures, wall art, traditional landscapes and bold designs.
Art Miami
Held downtown on the waterfront, this fair is the most commercial and geared towards big names and achieving the wow factor. From Lichtenstein and Picasso to Damien Hirst and Basquiat, the works here were big and bold and could stand up to the ocean vista and downtown high rises.
INK Art fair
ArtRow’s favourite fair is INK – a boutique fair held at the art deco landmark hotel, the Dorchester. A handful of viewing rooms radiate off an inner sanctum courtyard containing a long rectangular swimming pool. Intimate and very cool, fair-goers can get up close and personal with pre-eminent print publishers and dealers to see extraordinary prints and works on paper. ArtRow was proud to see Paula Scher’s World Trade Routes on display here, amongst other gems by modern and contemporary masters
