Art Basel Miami Beach 2015 Recap (Dec. 3-6)
06 Jan, 2016
Words by Shelly Nash
*Above featured image: Aqua | Derek Gores Gallery
In December when its freezing in New York City-the quartists jet set to Miami to join all the fashionistas and trendsetters and fellow artist tribe members.
Art Basel 2015 was an explosion of artists from all over the world that came together to showcase. It is a collaboration of known artists and emerging artists. An opportunity for art lovers to make good investments for tomorrow. Art Basel had its very first showing over 15 years ago. The fair has grown tremendously. Over 77,000 attendees in three days.
The wardrobe worn by art fair attendees always represents every high-end fashion designer. It is a mini-fashion week transported from NYC, Milan and London runways to the airport to the floors of the art fairs. Tons of models everywhere. Jet setters with bodyguards and chauffeurs. Generations attend shows together.
There are many art fairs to attend and only three days allotted. For example Art Basel Miami Beach, Red Dot, Art Miami, Context, Aqua, untitled and Scope Art fair, Mara Hoffman surf lodge event, The Fader Magazine parties, the Marriott Marquis hotel after-parties for the exhibitors of Art Miami. Most visitors need a vacation after this vacation. Unexpectedly torrential storms flooded Miami.
To mention a few stand-outs, the Azart gallery at the Aqua Art Fair featured wonderful pop-art in glitter by artist Camomile Hixon. A life-size Wonder Woman in glitter caused a bit of a sensation with crowds of people lining up to have photos and share stories. The artist was quoted, “I’ve wanted to create a Wonder Woman with an omniscient gaze, a woman on a mission, capable of getting the job done since most of the Wonder Woman art on the Internet is done in an objectified, sometimes demeaning manner. This painting is designed to celebrate a women’s power, intelligence and beauty”. Visitors seemed to leave the Azart Booth. The piece “Here she comes” is known as Wonder Woman.
G2 Gallery Giuseppe displayed whimsical humorous works at the Red Dot Art Fair, a fountain piece of a woman close eyes with pursed lips ready for a kiss. A row of lambs kicking up their heels like the Rockettes.
David Thomas displayed work that attempts to discuss and analyze deeply personal musings, ranging from the mundane to the sublime, using his fingerprinting technique within portraiture. The fingerprints are a representation of not only identity but also a metaphor for civilization or mankind.
Derek Gores is known for his torn paper collage portraits, recycling magazines, tickets, data, maps and more to create his lush portraits on canvas.
David Burton’s love for the arts evolved from the early pen and ink days to the minimal painting style of the 1980’s and 90’s, and on to his latest assemblage mixed media works. The black pieces pay homage to L. Nevelson (1899-1988) with a bit of a twist.
The art of Jeanne Basstette comes from a deep well of feelings and the desire to connect with others. Her art transforms, transmits and transmutes spaces and lives.
The Context Art fair presented a piece called “Totem Pole” by Elissa Savos. Her artwork is a narration of inner worlds revealed. The creations are about the moments in life we are not sure we should share, and feelings that we are not quite sure we should feel, about our bodies, our families, our choices.
Jonah Levy of Starry Night programs represents Robert Bello, a talented artist who creates handmade ceramic adventures that allow people to reconnect to their imagination. They are sculptures that can be used both inside and outside and are destinations for positive thoughts. Mr. Bello’s Inspiration comes from adventures. The work was whimsical and mysterious and very inviting and friendly. Showcased at Aqua art fair in South Beach Miami as well as the Untitled and Scope fairs.
Pabellon 4 Contemporary Art opened its doors in 1996. It is located in an old house in Villa Crepo Buenos Aires, has two exhibit halls and a video room.
From its origins, the art gallery intended to disseminate and support contemporary art, including its insertion in the artistic main stream in Argentina and other country’s. The primary objective has been to promote contemporary expressions of art to new audiences, to appeal to the public and to orient the collectors to new expressions of contemporary art. Pabellon 4 Contemporary Art opened its doors in 1996. Located in an old house in Villa Crepo Buenos Aires, has two exhibit halls and a video room.
Ben Skinners works in his studio based in Johannesburg (South Africa) and only uses Photoshop to crop or rotate the image. He likes to work on brightness or darkness. The series showed at Scope Miami is called “White” and the brightness you see on his photos is the same as taken by his camera. The gallery is owned by Eric Galea.
David Hollier’s current collection is entitled ‘Imago Verbosa’ and depicts a series of formidable and iconic images created entirely of text and words in the form of verse or prose. The works are individually hand painted in Acrylic and Ink, or typed on a vintage typewriter.
The Art Basel collector lounge had a display of incredible Piguet watches and an info session with the watchmakers.
Unfortunately for Miami after December 6-the artists left but the torrential rain stayed. Make sure you always travel with an umbrella. When you are next in New York please visit the Townhouse Art Gallery at the Barclay Center showcasing the original works and sketches of Dina Nash.
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