An Inside Look At Miami Art Basel 2017

Artists from all over the world wait impatiently for the event that brings artists, curators, critics, and art lovers together. The highly anticipated event, Art Basel Miami, features art from across the globe and attracts over 70,000 visitors each year. Hundreds of galleries that specialize in modern art across the world participate in this event, showcasing everything from photography and video to digital art, sculptures, and paintings. Whether you’re looking for art from the freshest young artists on the scene, or are in search of that limited edition, museum-ready masterpiece, you’ll find it during Art Basel in Miami.

Art Basel will be hosted at the Miami Beach Convention Center from December 7-10. There is a private, invitation-only viewing on the 6th as well as the Vernissage on the 7th from 11-3. After that, the public is welcome to browse the galleries during the following days and times:

Thursday, December 7, 2017, 3 pm to 8 pm

Friday, December 8, 2017, noon to 8 pm

Saturday, December 9, 2017, noon to 8 pm

Sunday, December 10, 2017, noon to 6 pm

The Sectors

The Miami Convention Center will be divided into nine sectors. Nova focuses on contemporary art that is fresh and new. Kabinett focuses on a collection of pieces by one artist or a themed group. Survey focuses on art made before 2000. Public is dedicated to mesmerizing sculptures and thought-provoking pieces, and the Film sector features work projected onto a giant 7,000-square-foot wall at the New World Center Soundscape Park. Along with these sectors, Art Basel in Miami Beach is introducing five new galleries that have never been part of the show before.

Isla Flotante, a gallery based out of Buenos Aires, is one of the galleries making its debut at the event. Composed of eight young Argentinian artists whose work focuses mainly on political issues, Isla Flotante started out as a small space for young artists to work on their craft. The gallery itself became a hot spot for local artist to socialize, and over the years Isla Flotante made a name for itself at international art fairs and has been growing ever since.

Antenna Space was founded by Simon Wang and is a textile factory turned art gallery. It is a space where young, growing artists can work with different mediums, including painting and sculpture. It got its name from the creator’s idea that the space is like an antenna that “aims to materialize its artists’ desires and artistic ideas into projects and exhibits.”

Additional new galleries like Applicat-Prazan, Sfeir-Semler, and Dependence are also making their first appearance at the event and are expected to significantly contribute to the overall feel and experience of Art Basel.

Art Basel Must-See Galleries and Exhibits

• Kurimanzutto — art deeply connected to Mexico’s history and culture. This year visitors can get a glimpse of paper collages by South Korean artist Haegue Yang.
• Foxy Productions — this solo exhibit features art that examines the relationships that people have with everyday objects, like smartphones.
• David Castillo Gallery — based out of Wynwood NYC, this is one of the few exhibits that has repeatedly earned a spot at this coveted event. This year’s multi-media showcase focuses on race, sexuality, and gender. There will even be a live performance by Kalup Linzy.
• Tyler Rollins Fine Art — another newbie to the Art Basel scene, this contemporary art gallery based out of Chelsea, New York City, focuses on solo artists in the Southeast Asia region.

Satellite Fairs

One of the coolest parts of Art Basel is that it allows the art to extend out into the city, beyond the walls of the convention center. There will be more than 20 satellite fairs scattered across Miami during Art Basel week, including the Art Miami and Context Fairs that bring in over 100,000 people each year. Emerging artists can be found at the NADA and Scope fairs that are set up right on the beaches. A favorite exhibit is the walking tour through Wynwood to experience the graffiti and street art on its numerous city buildings.

Art For Kids

Art Basel is an excellent opportunity to expose your kids to modern and contemporary art. Children under 16 are welcome to explore the exhibits but must be accompanied by an adult. This is also an excellent opportunity to teach art gallery etiquette such as:

•    Walking not running
•    Not touching the art
•    Following the requests of event staff and security
•    Keep food and drinks in designated areas

For kids who are still a little too young to appreciate the art, and for parents who would like to enjoy it without worrying about corralling their little ones, there is the Kids Lounge at Art Basel. This art-inspired, kid-friendly space gives young minds creative programs and age-appropriate activities to enjoy while their parents visit the galleries.

About The Location

Art enthusiasts will spend their days browsing gallery after gallery of stunning art and then unwind at some of the hottest spots in Miami as the sun goes down. From five-star restaurants to mouth-watering street food, Miami offers countless options for starving artists (pun intended) to curb their appetite. Sexy nightclubs, low-key dive bars, fast food chains, coffee shops and trendy brunch spots give locals and visitors plenty to do once the galleries are closed. While visitors treat themselves to luxury hotels on the water, Miami locals and art aficionados own real estate in some of the area’s most high-profile condominiums. Art Basel presents an excellent opportunity to schedule a showing at some of the world’s most coveted real estate:

Grand Venetian

Located at 10 Venetian Way, this 25-story building offers 134 luxury units overlooking the water. Residences range from 1,196-4,000 square feet and come in a variety of floor plans and layouts. Designed by renowned architect Kobi Karp, this architectural masterpiece is unlike anything else on the water. The building’s innovative design is made to seamlessly blend into the water and sky around it. With a breathtaking lobby, world-class amenities and a prime location just steps from the beach; the Grand Venetian gives residents the luxury lifestyle that they’ve always dreamed of. These spacious residences feature chef-inspired kitchens with state-of-the-art appliances, large bedrooms, elegant bathrooms, and views of the water and the city. Residents love the large pool that sits right on the waterfront, the lighted tennis courts, fitness facility, and professional concierge and on-site staff.

Il Villaggio

Unprecedented luxury meets ultimate comfort and convenience at the stunning Il Villaggio in the heart of South Beach. From an upscale ocean lounge to beach services, a health club and an infinity edge pool and Jacuzzi, living in this five-star building defines what it means to live the high-profile Miami lifestyle. Residents can take advantage of on-site dining, a spa and massage room, quiet library and intimate private beachside cabanas. The private residences here feature expansive private balconies, gourmet kitchens, floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious bedrooms and spa-inspired bathrooms with modern fixtures. Each flow-through unit is designed for a glamorous lifestyle without the high maintenance hassle. With 24-hour security, valet and concierge services on site, there is someone on call to take care of all of your needs. Life at Il Villaggio is more than a lifestyle; it’s an experience.

1 Hotel and Homes

1 Homes Residences offers an extraordinarily high standard of living. Just steps from the beach, this tower offers the space and luxury of a contemporary Miami condo building with the prestige, style, services, and amenities of a world-class hotel. At 1 Homes Miami, you can have every want and need taken care of by highly trained and attentive staff who can arrange grocery shopping, dry cleaning, and pharmacy pick up. Living the penthouse lifestyle at 1 Homes means private owners-only entrances, 24-hour concierge services, dedicated technical support, access to a full-service fitness center complete with massage and personal training, and countless other exclusive amenities that make living here a true upgrade for the luxury genre.

Setai Residences

This award-winning building offers 120 luxury units, including a stunning penthouse suite. Residents have access to three incredible pools, beach services, on-site dining, and state-of-the-art spa experience that is good for the mind, body, and soul. These massive residences range from 550 to 1,144 square feet and offer breathtaking views from almost every angle. Each spacious unit has elegant bathrooms with rain showers and other contemporary features, large bedrooms, teak floors, fully furnished gourmet kitchens, and smart home technology for maximum convenience. The four-bedroom penthouse exudes lavishness and covers over 10,000 square feet of living space. With an open-air bar, private pool, Jacuzzi and private wraparound terrace, this impressive penthouse sits 40 floors above the white-sand beaches of the Atlantic Ocean.

Miami is known for hosting giant events that draw thousands of participants and visitors. From marathons on the beach to fashion week and the highly anticipated Wine and Food Festival, Miami knows how to party. So it’s no surprise that when Art Basel comes to Miami, it’s bound to be an experience. Art Basel brings together the world’s most creative, innovative, and artistic minds in one of the sexiest, most vibrant cities in the world. There’s no better backdrop for incredible art like Miami.

If you’re visiting Miami Beach during Art Basel, we’d love to hear from you. Contact a luxury real estate specialist today.