CULTURE

If art is one of your many loves, you must know about Art Basel – instrumental in connecting artists and galleries around the world with collectors. Happening in Miami on December 1-2, you might want to attend to get an inkling of what’s on the cutting edge in the world of modern and contemporary art.

Choice VIP cardholders can get into the show on the morning of November 29 to get a jump on what’s on exhibit and for the chance to get something for your private collection. Art Basel is also known for the events it hosts including master classes, talks and debates, live performances and lavish parties and it is clearly one of the art world’s largest, most important and most prestigious events hosted by three main cities – Miami, Basel in Switzerland, and Hong Kong. Recently, Paris was added to the roster.

Year after year, art aficionados take in the show to view paintings, sculptures, works on paper, photography, digital and video art and incredible installations.

A Touch of History

The first Art Basel was held in 1970 in Basel and was the brainchild of Swiss art professionals Ernst Beyeler, a collector and art dealer and gallerists Trudl Bruckner and Balz Hilt. The show was an instant success, attracting more than 16,000 visitors in its fledgling year. About 70,000 visitors pass through the Miami Beach Convention Center’s doors alone during every show, with more than 250 galleries and 4,000 artists from 35 countries participating.

Miami Art Week

Art Basel Miami has had such an impact on the art scene, the city has dubbed the time around the show as Miami Art Week. Attending the show will also give you the chance to see some amazing exhibits at other venues since many art museums showcase their most impressive collections during Miami Art Week. Here are some venues who might want to have on your itinerary:

Pérez Art Museum Miami

Brimming with modern, contemporary and international art, the Pérez Art Museum Miami is dedicated to collecting and exhibiting international art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Exhibits are always changing, but you will find works from Miami-based artists as well as from Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean and other areas. You will also be able to find works from self-taught artists.

Institute of Contemporary Art

The Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami promotes ongoing experimentation in contemporary art, advancing new scholarships, and fostering the exchange of art and ideas throughout the Miami region and internationally. Through a well-rounded calendar of exhibitions and programs, and its collection, ICA Miami provides an important international platform for the work of local, emerging, and under-recognized artists, and advances public appreciation and understanding of the most innovative art of this time.

The Wolfsonian—FIU

The collection at the Wolfsonian comprises more than 200,000 objects from household appliances from the past to culture-bridging designs, architectural plans and items of war propaganda. Most items hail from Europe, the United States, Latin America, Asia and Africa. The collection belongs to the Florida International University and reflects the collecting habits of many with collections reaching thousands of students, scholars and art lovers. During Art Basel Miami, the Wolfsonian will feature the exhibit, Street Shrines – works from artist Roberto Lugo – a muralist who connects the gallery installation with the streets of Miami.

Villa Jolie

The sleek, contemporary Villa Jolie is replete with the glitz and glamor of Miami. Sitting on Biscayne Bay, this home beckons nautical adventures. With nine ensuite bedrooms for up to 18 guests, it is the ideal home to entertain family and friends. Floor-to-ceiling windows embrace expansive, free-flowing spaces filtered with light. The home is fitted with an elevator and includes steam, sauna and massage rooms, wine cellar and an oversized gym. A glorious pool offers respite from the midday heat, while a rooftop terrace takes after-dark entertaining to new heights with spellbinding views over city lights and the shimmering bay. Your stay includes LVH full services and support.

Must-See Art Basel Miami Galleries

The thriving arts scene and galleries is part of what makes Miami so incredibly delicious to visit. When you’re in the city for Art Basel 2022, be sure to take in some local galleries in between attending the show. Miami is the ideal destination to explore innovative contemporary art by established and emerging artists. Here are some of those must-see galleries in various neighborhoods:

Little Haiti

Oolite Arts makes its home in an artists’ studio space that has about 20 artists in residence. You can tour the exhibits and working studios for a look at artists creating and the processes they use. Oolite Arts seeks to fulfill the role of being the bedrock of contemporary visual arts in Miami, bringing together a community of artists, alumni, curators and art lovers. Its residency program has provided opportunities for hundreds of emerging artists that include established creatives like Teresita Fernandez and Edouard Duval-Carrié.

Primary.

Founded in 2007, Primary. is the mainstay of many street artists and muralists including Miami-based artist Magnus Sodamin and Los Angeles artist Kenton Parker. Primary. explores modern ideas regarding life and work, and connects new voices in contemporary art with burgeoning audiences and collections.

Emerson Dorsch

The Emerson Dorsch Gallery was one of the first in Wynwood – one of the first to make the area the prime arts location into which it has morphed today. Run by husband and wife team, Brook Dorsch and Tyler Emerson-Dorsch, the couple led the foray of galleries opening in Little Haiti. Most of the work featured are from Southern Florida artists and they also host exhibitions from mid-career and emerging artists.

Downtown Miami

Fredric Snitzer Gallery

This gallery, in Miami’s Arts and Entertainment District, was pioneered by Fredric Snitzer in the 1970s and originally located in Coral Gables. This gallery remains one of the only ones to consistently show at Art Basel Miami. The gallery presents work across all media including painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, photography, and performance from a diverse range of contemporary artists including Hernan Bas, Alice Aycock and Maria Martinez-Canas.

South Beach

David Castillo

David Castillo is a well-known Miami art dealer. His new gallery space, in the Design District, has an impressive roster of contemporary artists. Castillo’s focus is on conceptual curatorial models as they relate to art historical, cultural, and personal investigations. The gallery works with artists committed to the integrity of their individual histories and studio practices as agents of the contemporary art climate. Among artists exhibited have been Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jean Dubuffet, Wifredo Lam, Willem de Kooning, Morris Louis, Pablo Picasso, Jesus Rafael Soto, Rufino Tamayo, Andy Warhol, and many others.

Little Havana

Futurama 1637 Art Building

This gallery is an artists’ studio and exhibition space hosting 12 artists. Located on Calle Ocho, the gallery’s mission is to advance the knowledge and practice of contemporary visual arts and culture in Little Havana and to provide affordable work-space for outstanding visual artists in all stages of career development. A visit here is a great way to experience the contemporary art of Miami’s creative Cuban community all under one roof. Monthly events include art openings, music productions, and business and networking events.

Little Havana

Futurama 1637 Art Building

This gallery is an artists’ studio and exhibition space hosting 12 artists. Located on Calle Ocho, the gallery’s mission is to advance the knowledge and practice of contemporary visual arts and culture in Little Havana and to provide affordable work-space for outstanding visual artists in all stages of career development. A visit here is a great way to experience the contemporary art of Miami’s creative Cuban community all under one roof. Monthly events include art openings, music productions, and business and networking events.

If you are a lover of modern and contemporary art, you will surely want to attend Art Basel Miami this December. LVH can get you there to see the show in VIP style and will prepare a customized itinerary for you with incredible things to see and do while you’re in “The Magic City.” We invite you to reach out to one of our client relations team members who will get the wheels in motion for you to be a part of this very important show in the world of contemporary art. Plus, it’s Miami – always a great place and time to visit!