All the galleries brought their “A” game to Art Basel Miami Beach 2012. There were museum-quality works to be purchased for millions of dollars by well-known artists, but also at the Irish gallery, Mother’s Tankstation, artist Atsushi Kaga brought his mother to sew the fabric bags and quilts that he designed for $50.00 a bag. The works were so charming and whimsical that the gallery couldn’t keep them in stock and his mother couldn’t sew fast enough to keep up with the demand!
Design Miami
Visitors were raving about Design Miami, where international galleries were exhibiting museum-quality furniture, lighting, and art objects. Just walking into this show was a visual delight. I was transfixed by the white balloon-like structures hanging from the ceiling before entering the facility.
The Museum of Contemporary Art
Bill Viola’s show at the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami (MOCA) is mesmerizing! The title of the show “Liber Insularum” is based on a 15th-century Florentine text. These eleven slowed-down videos make the viewer feel like he or she is entering a spiritual dream world. The video, “Three Women” is a visual experience that will not be forgotten. This installation is a “must see” but give yourself a lot of time to experience each work of art; open through March 3, 2013.
While museums are a staple of any art lover’s travels, private art foundations are also fascinating to visit for many reasons. You often see new works from young artists that have not been seen before—and in two years that artist is the “hot” name that everyone is talking about.
Craig Robbins Collection at Dacra
Robbins’ collection is shown within his office space and this year included works by John Baldessari, Mike Kelly, Joseph Beuys, Marlene Dumas, and many more noted artists. This curated show changes a couple of times a year highlighting Robbins’ collection.
The Rubell Family Collection
On the ground floor mammoth gallery are large, beautiful paintings by Oscar Murillo, who is the Rubell’s first ever-artist-in-residence. The five paintings shown were created onsite consisting of debris, dirt, dust, and items found within the studio. Words are written on the paintings like “yoga” and “chorizo,” which reference the social implications of these nouns.
Throughout the many galleries, are new works by artists that you want to to know, as well as artists that have been seen before in the collection but placed in a different gallery that makes the viewer consider the work in a new way. The big surprise this year was a Bugatti car, decorated with engineering equations by renowned artist Bernar Venet.
Collectors Debra and Dennis Scholl’s private foundation is a one room gallery space this year showing works by London based artist, Aaron Angell. This innovative foundation lends works to other museums. We were told that some of their contemporary collection will be shown in a Museum in Nevada next year.
Margulies Collection at the Warehouse
There are some breathtaking new works being shown at the Warehouse. The highlights are Anselm Kiefer’s Sprache der Vögel, a three-ton work made of lead, steel, wood, plaster, resin, oil, and acrylic. The other show stopper is the Richard Long’s giant work Norfolk Ellipse, placed in its own dedicated gallery from 2003.
De La Cruz Collection
Housed in an elegant private museum, this foundation continues to show the most exciting works by national and international artists. Some of the artists represented are Sterling Ruby, Mark Bradford, Thomas Houseago, Christopher Wool and many, many other well-known artists.
This year, the first floor space was redesigned to accommodate monumental installations. The second floor was transformed into a sculpture area with a raised floor and the third floor had many of the same installations that explored themes of fragility and mortality.
The “must see” hotel to hang out and have a drink in South Beach is the newly renovated SLS Hotel. Gorgeous young people parading all over… and their restaurant is amazing.
We love to stay at the Canyon Ranch Miami; the staff is wonderful to their guests and make one feel very welcome.
The BEST place for shopping is the Webster boutique at 1220 Collins Avenue. It is like going to the most exclusive boutique in Paris—the style level is in the stratosphere and every item is gorgeous!
Photo Gallery:
Featured image: Emily Michot, Miami Herald.
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