THE GREAT ELEPHANT MIGRATION was displayed at South Beach in Miami Art Week 2024
I attended the Art Basel Miami 2024 as I do every year. My travel with art fairs began at New York City in 2013, and for the last seven years, I’ve been coming to Art Basel Miami. Over time, I've developed a strong sense of where to focus my attention and gain inspiration.
Regarding Art Fairs and its location Experiences, I don’t think anything is necessarily better than another—it depends on the individual. For example, while waiting in line to grab a bun at the Hong Kong Cafe at Art Basel Miami 2024, I overheard a conversation between a Chinese art dealer and her client. It was the first time the Hong Kong Cafe had opened at the event, so there was quite a line. The dealer shared that she had worked at the Gagosian Gallery for several years before starting her own business. She had attended all the Art Basel events and shared that Paris was her favorite, thanks to the fantastic restaurants and performances. However, she wasn't as fond of Basel, citing its small-town feel. As for me, while I do love Paris, Basel is still my top choice. It might not be a big city, but it offers a rare blend of contemporary and medieval art that you can experience together. After traveling to many places, I can't think of many cities where the old and the new coexist so seamlessly. An old master dealer once mentioned that Basel has many excellent restaurants and food. However, with my limited background in European culture, it was a bit overwhelming for me, and I’m sure many others might feel the same. But, being a visual person, I thoroughly enjoyed simply walking around the town, taking in the blend of old and new. It was incredibly beautiful.
There's a saying that you can only truly see things as deeply as you understand them—and that’s just as true for art.
If you’re looking to buy art for yourself, the first step is educating yourself by attending numerous art fairs and exhibitions. This will help you develop your style as a collector.
1. The Art Basel Miami at the Convention Center has a vast array of galleries and artists, making it a fantastic place to shop and see the trend. However, if you’re simply buying for your own space, it’s important to choose something that resonates with you on a more intimate level.
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| Miami Print Art Fair 2024 |
2. The Miami Print Fair, the venue, located in the perfect old-style beach vacation hotel, offered a more intimate setting, with each gallery having its own space in a hotel room. This made it easier for people to connect with the artwork and imagine it within their environment, offering a clear sense of how it would fit into real-life settings.
3. The Rubell Museum Miami, while it’s not a large space, their collection is truly impressive. If you want to see work from the most trendy and hot artists, this is the place to go. Having attended many large gallery shows in New York City, I’m always amazed by the incredible pieces they acquire each year.
4. Another great spot to visit during Miami Art Week is the Perez Art Museum Miami. It’s an excellent venue that features contemporary art in the latest styles. The artists often talk about their work in Miami Art Week, which adds an extra layer of depth to the experience—it's truly fascinating. This year, their highlighted shows were; "Away with Tides" by #CalidaRawles and "Homecoming" by #JoseParla.
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| #CalidaRawles @Pamm |
5. The Untitled Miami is the perfect spot to enjoy both the beach and art simultaneously. The view of the beach from their lounge area is absolutely stunning. Since NADA isn’t located in South Beach, visiting Untitled Miami is a great choice if you’re only in Miami for a short time.
I always come across incredible artwork there.
If you have some extra time, visiting the NADA and Art Miami in Downtown Miami is highly recommended.
This year, I revisited the Miami Design District after seven years, and it was fantastic. You can find all the major luxury brands there, from clothing and shoes to furniture. I realized that Miami is the perfect spot for an end-of-year vacation. You can shop for both art for your space and gifts for the holidays. One of the new hotspots is the Cote Miami, a trendy Korean barbecue restaurant located in the heart of the Miami Design District. It’s been all the talk, but getting in without a reservation is nearly impossible. The Cartier hosted a "Trinity 100" exhibition opening a VIP party for their show,
and it was the event everyone wanted to attend. I was so excited to be there, especially seeing the crowds gathered outside hoping to get in. They served beautifully presented finger foods and drinks, left image, which were absolutely amazing. The venue itself was lovely, but the exhibition didn’t quite live up to my expectations. Kohler showcased their Cold Plunge, Remedy at the Edition Hotel, and while the venue itself was stunning, I wasn’t able to gather much information about the product. The Robb Report held an excellent three-day event, House of Robb at the Faena Penthouse, and the venue was absolutely gorgeous. The artists' talks and the products, they presented were impressive as well below the left image, and the Faena Art had a showcase of Nicholas Galanin's "'SELETEGA' on Faena Beach which is below right.
I took a bus to see the installation. On the bus, there was a group of seniors who seemed to know where they were going. Once we arrived in Mid Beach, the driver asked, "Who’s ready to see the elephants?" and everyone responded enthusiastically, creating an interesting moment that felt like a school bus driver taking kids to the zoo. The elephants were incredibly detailed and massive, creating a stunning scene. From the Faena Penthouse, the view was breathtaking, and even though I couldn’t capture a perfect video, the experience was unforgettable. I believe that great art has the power to inspire everyone.
