Tagged: Art Basel

Often “Art Basel” is used as shorthand for the many arts events that coincide with the Art Basel fair itself, which takes place inside the Miami Beach Convention Center. 

But throughout Miami, galleries and artists are exhibiting their work so there really is something for everyone this week.  Below is a small sampling for various persuasions. 

You hate contemporary art: Endless Renaissance at the Bass Museum.  

While trying to navigate the colorful, crowded labyrinth that is Art Basel Miami, we reached a tiny oasis of calm smack dab in the middle of the "Art Positions" sector (whatever THAT is.)

It was a patch of soft, green artificial turf, about 40 by 60 feet, resembling a tiny putting green.  It had diminutive peaks and valleys and even shade trees.

Aaaahh.

Along with the ever-expanding constellation of art fairs and gallery events during Art Basel, pop-ups are mushrooming at this time of year, including bars, shops and restaurants.

Pop-up restaurants have been trending in Miami and around the country for years now. The term "pop-up" restaurant has typically meant that the eating location is temporary, whether it's open one night or multiple nights.

Artists won’t be the only ones getting international exposure at Art Basel Miami Beach this year. Some Florida breweries might share the spotlight as well at the first annual Basel Biergarten.

Alongside “The Factory” art show, Wynwood Cigar Factory (101 NW 24th St.) is hosting a pop-up beer garden which will serve Florida brews exclusively.  It’s an example of the many things that have grown up around Art Basel over the past ten years.

Fifty years ago Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Tony Bennett played the Deauville Beach Resort in Miami Beach. Now a handful of college students will have their day at the Deauville.

Art Basel opens Thursday for the 11th year of staging the "most prestigious art show in the Americas."  

So, if anything is prestigious at Art Basel, everything must be prestigious at Art Basel. The New York Times describes the event this way: "bigger, richer, longer and, if it’s possible, snobbier than ever before."