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.
But as we climbed up one of the hillocks, we stopped in abject terror. Quite a few art patrons WERE sitting on the perimeter of this little haven, but only a few brave souls were seated in the center. Did we just inadvertently trample on a work of art?
Egad!
"It's not an art piece, I think," says Dimitry Jewrissen of Brussels, Belgium. "It's clearly a playground."
But this IS Art Basel and you never can tell.
Chris Reilly and Anne Harmson were sitting on the edge of the tiny meadow, just chill-axing and enjoying their lunch. "It's a beautiful piece of art but there was no place else to sit. And we decided all art should be functional," says Reilly with a laugh.
But would they plunk themselves down on any artwork that looked inviting?
"I'd ask first," says Reilly.
