The hoopla at Art Basel Miami is winding down. Whew. What a week of VIP this, VIP that, gale force rain and untold millions of dollars of museum quality art being sold from inside tents. If you tire of the big mama fair, there are others to discover, depending on your stamina and your taste: Art Miami, slightly more inventive than Basel, but just as pricey; Concept, a new event held on a yacht; Aqua, for those who prefer their art in a hotel; Pulse on the beach; or Scope, a fair for emerging artists. Even skipping the madness of the fairs and going to the parties/ galleries/ private collections seems like a good idea after the second day. And, it is noted, for some reason, this year Dubuffet is everywhere. Is there an anniversary we’re missing? Good to see he’s enjoying a renaissance.
Dubuffet at Art BaselOne of the favorite media events of Art Basel was the 50th anniversary booth from Gallerie Gymurzynska in Zurich. Curated by filmmaker Baz Luhrman, costume designer Catherine Mann and Composer Nellie Hooper, the gallery drew works from its history and concentrated on 20th-century masterworks, avant-garde and classic modern painting. The title of the exhibit, “A Kid Could Do That,” reflects on the concept of memory, and when and how true talent is defined. During a quick chat with Hooper, he disclosed the examination behind the concept for the show. “Are you born with an eye,” he asked, “that later gets poisoned? I found that my 6-year-old and I were attracted to the same kind of art.”
P.Diddy contemplating a Picasso purchase at Art Basel?This Picasso?There is a sudden buzz in the room and it’s because Sean Combs, aka P.Diddy has walked into the display and is studying a Picasso fresco, Vénus Et Amour, from 1918. Rumor has it, he has always wanted to own a Picasso piece, and this may be the one. (ArtNews reports that the Gallerie sold a million dollar Picasso on the first day of the fair.) It is beautiful, but only one of the pieces in a sublime collection of not-so-often seen work by Basquiat, Miro, Twombly, Bacon, Schwitters, Kandinsky and Indiana, to name a few. Rediscovered film footage from the ’30s featuring Miro’s “Juex d’Enfants” stage set for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo was reinterpreted by Luhrman and greeted its audience at the front, presented with the original painting. A coffee table catalog is available for those who missed it.
Jason Rhoades, “Costner Complex (Perfect Process)”Basquiat
Off the beach and the beaten track, is Wynwood, a Miami neighborhood where there is art all year round, alive with murals and warehouses that store private collections. The Margulies Collection was open for viewing, and we were wowed by a solid collection of photography and contemporary abstract sculpture, including some amazing Anselm Keifer work, a couple of early George Segal sculptures, and an interesting contemporary Jason Rhoades piece, “Costner Complex (Perfect Process),” which consists of a wall shelf stacked with jars of pickled vegetables, labeled with the Kevin Costner movie that they “watched.” Also notable was the Library Street Collective pop up gallery show, which showcased a group of hipster favorites, including affordable work by street art heroes Shepard Fairey, Cleon Peterson, HowNosm, Dave Kinsey, Revok and Swoon.
George Segal, Red Line.
It’s astounding how thick the air is with competition. Serious and not so serious art collectors all vying for the work, not just a work. There are lots of red dots at this point in the week, some of them surprising choices, lending to the reports circling that this was Art Basel Miami’s best year yet. But that’s what the champagne carts are for. See you next year, Miami. We wouldn’t miss it.
