HISTORY

First off - a little background never hurt anybody: Art Basel debuted in Miami Beach back in 2002 (21 years ago!!). The first edition featured 160 galleries from 23 countries and attracted 30,000 visitors. This is the main fair that launched in Miami Beach and the one that started it all - because of its recognition, it attracted people from EVERYWHERE in the world, so Miami adapted. All the rest of the fairs, called satellite fairs, come to make the most of the Basel visitors, and it turned out to be called Miami Art Week.

It’s mostly about art - but it’s also about parties and events: brands, magazines, groups found a great hub of people aligned to be at the same week in the same place, so they started their activations.

And because of all these - beware of traffic (there was not ONE year I had low traffic); usually, 15-minute drives will turn into 1.5 hours. Just be aware of that, and if you can, don’t drive. Just take an Uber (which will be really expensive).

PARTIES & EVENTS

Now let’s get this out of the way - unless you know someone that knows someone, that works in one of the companies that throw the party - invitation-only events are just that. Invitation only. And those are the most fun. However, Soho House throws some cool parties, and if you are a member, you most likely have access. Jamiroquai played once I was there, and it was awesome.

For ticketed parties, there are a bunch. I saw a TikTok with all the headliners and their respective venues. A lot is going on, catering to all tastes, and you can go and purchase them online.

ART FAIRS

Going back to the art - so what fairs are worth it?

First, I gotta say, Design Miami is a must in this sphere. It’s the design fair, basically, which entails design and collectible objects with amazingly designed spaces by brands too. This year’s theme is Where We Stand, which curator Anna Carnick says “was conceived as a celebration of design inspired by place, community, and heritage—and the beauty and strength that can be drawn from our most intimate, rooted connections. It asks: How does our relationship to the very ground beneath our feet and the people with whom we share it inform our sense of belonging, the obligations we have to one another, and our paths forward?”

Personally, one of my faves is Untitled Miami Beach - located on the beach, Ocean Blvd, and 13th St. It's contemporary art, a mix of galleries from around the world, and a variety of price ranges. Always, I find things I would collect, not just weird stuff that makes it to social media.

I find that Art Basel itself is really complete with really renowned galleries from across the globe, but it is really big - if you are not planning a full day there with lunch and all, you’ll probably get tired and leave.

Art Miami is a really popular fair, together with Context (located by its side), NADA Art Fair, and Pinta, are the only ones located on the mainland if you do not wish to experience the Basel traffic on the beach. Art Miami is that, really Miami Art (with international galleries). Context is a more interesting approach, and I enjoyed it. NADA is super new and contemporary, interesting if you are exploring for new. And Pinta is focused mainly on Latin American art in the Grove, and it is really nice.

GALLERIES

Other galleries that are worth visiting are: Rubell Collection in Allapattah, El Espacio 23 also in Allapattah, De la Cruz Collection in the Design District, and Margulies Collection (https://www.margulieswarehouse.com/) in Wynwood. Even better than some fairs…

PUBLIC ART

As for Public Art, Faena always leads, this year with its beach enormous maze by Chilean artist Sebastian Errazuriz, the exhibition throughout the week (free also) titled “Spaces of Influence: Shaping Community in the Modern World”. Collins Park will have Brazilian artist Salissa Rosa’s largest fully ceramic work to date. For the Miami Design District Annual Design Commission, London-based designer Lara Bohinc is taking over the public spaces. The Standard Spa in Miami Beach will have “House of Tilly" where guests are invited to interact with the hotel’s emotionally responsive, guest concierge for art week

So this is a really short summary of what’s best for me personally, but there are thousand of events and exhibits and everything going on at the same time. My biggest advice: plan ahead, schedule your days, and make your dinner reservations with time. Happy Basel-ing!

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