Art Basel

Take 200 of the finest art galleries in the world, mix in a little Picasso, Degas, De Kooning, Lichtenstein and add a pinch of Matisse, Mapplethorpe and Rothko and what you have is Art Basel, the sister event of Art Basel in Switzerland. It is an art dealers candy shop showing a mix of works from world renowned artists to upcoming cutting edge newcomers. The event officially opens December 7th and runs through December 10th with numerous venues through out Miami Beach and over on the mainland in Miami. The main attraction will be the Miami Beach Convention Center which is a perfect starting point for those who have never been to Art Basel. Where else can one go and view multi-million dollar works of art while sipping on champagne and nibbling on imported cheeses. Besides the art, there are hourly artist talks, book discussions and signings. Oh...and the art books are works of art themselves. The Taschen booth last year had some of the most magnificent and unusual art books. It is very hard just to look without buying one of their books.

So when you get done with the convention center there are more art events to experience starting with Art Positions located on 21st street on Miami Beach. There you will see 21 galleries displaying cutting edge artists in converted shipping containers. When you get done then hit the various mini art fairs located all through South Beach.If you still want more then drive over (or take the Art Basel shuttle from the convention center) to the mainland. Make sure to visit the various private collections and don't miss Pulse, DesignMiami and NADA.

AND if you still haven't had enough you can keep going with countless smaller events like Art Loves Film, Art Loves Design, Art Goes Bad, Art Bar, Art Flow or anything with the word art in it. Personally my favorite this year is Art Boat. Yes, Art Boat, the same people who brought you the famous duck boat tours of Boston are taking their duck boats and viewing artwork from the bay. Mind you it is only by private charter.If I had known this I would have plotted my own "Water Tour de Art" and offered my boat during Art Basel. Well, there is always next year.

Also there are rules for Art Basel. First of all, wear fashionable walking shoes and remember the word fashionable. Yes, you can wear your Crocs if, and only if, the charms on them are real otherwise leave them in the closet. Second, pretend you really are into the art even if it is some sort of barbed wire wrapped around a chair. Believe me you will see a lot of art on acid like videos of a trash can, neon bulbs with nails glued on them, balloons filled with spit (I made that one up), a yellow pitchfork and it goes on. Third, upon viewing an exceptional bizarro piece like a crucifix in a can of tuna one must do a head nod followed by the word "brilliant". It is really amazing after that third glass of champagne how one feels they are the curator for the Whitney.

After experiencing all that art you can head over to the pedestrian mall of Lincoln Road to refuel after a long day of viewing buckets with twigs and rocks. Don't get me wrong, Art Basel is a fun filled contemporary art fair with the right amount of edge coupled with the energy of South Beach and Miami. It shouldn't be missed.

Don't forget to check out the South Florida restaurant scene at Self-Size.com and my fitness tips.

Ciao,

Angie of the Arts

p.s. The picture this month on the blog is a snapshot of artwork you won't see at Art Basel. It is a 8X6 tapestry I bought on my trip to India in the town of Jaisalmer ( read more on this great sand city) which sits on the edge of the Thar Desert. The textile is a patchwork of old maharaja saris sewn together to make a single new one. The detail and colors are astounding and I am still discovering little parts of the tapestry. It is a keepsake that will always remind me of the great family trip we had to India.