Basel starts….now! Yes, two days earlier than in years past, but this is a behemoth no one can stop. Although this is just a fraction of what’s going on this week, it’s the good part.
Design Miami opens on Wednesday with an entrance designed by formlessfinder, which, for us, is reason enough to check it out. 1960s modernist Charlotte Perriand is a big name at Basel this year, with multiple exhibitions on view, including a solo exhibition called Charlotte Perriand—A House in Montmarte. Additionally, there will be showcases of her work in three different locations, the Cassina Showroom, the Louis Vuitton boutique – which has had the facade redone in her honor – and at the Raleigh – where a Design Miami satellite exhibition will take place making a Perriand-themed ‘house’ with Louis Vuitton.
FENDI Casa is presenting Facets of Art in the Design District on Thursday. They will debut the new Bentley Collection while displaying the works of artist Maria Pergay. As this is sponsored by Bentley, as in our favorite luxury car, it is certain to be tres luxe.
Modern Life Concept House is Elle Decor’s sprawling, 10,300 square-foot private waterfront estate designed by renowned designers, such as Daniele Busca, Fernando Wong, Sam Robin, Wade Hallock and more. The Miami Beach home will be open to tour this week and we’re sure it will be amazing.
Art Britannia is an exhibition that proudly celebrates craft, technical skill, mark making and gestures that reflect British art. The official opening is on Dec. 5, hosted by the British-American Business Council. It is curated by Ben Austin and produced by designer and artist Karelle Levy. Come by for a spot of tea and taste of Anglophila.
Maison Martin Margiela and Atelier Swarovski are celebrating the debut of Stalker, an exclusive installation by French artist Baptiste Debombourg, and presenting their new collection, Crystalactite, with a private cocktail reception at their Design District location.
A month-long pop-up devoted to delectable drinks made with only the best ingredients, as well as small, savory plates like Carbonara Croquetas and rock shrimp Ceviche, seems too good to be true, especially since it will be at Miami Beach’s iconic Hotel Astor, which is being restored to its original Art Deco splendor. Drinking Room, created by renowned chef, Giorgio Rapicavoli, launches on Tuesday, Dec. 3, and will run through New Year’s Eve.
David Datuna’s Viewpoint of Billions art collaboration with Google Glass will have its public debut at New World Symphony on Dec. 3. The exhibition will feature an interactive experience with Google’s latest technology.
Matthu Placek’s A Portrait of Marina Abramovic is the first of Placek’s body of “moving portraits,” which captures the subject’s life story without dialogue. There will be screenings every 15 minutes from 6 pm until 3 am Wednesday- Saturday at the Jewel Box on the YoungArts campus (2100 Biscayne Blvd).
Ocean House invites guests to view “The Girl at Jellyfish Lake,” a surrealistic underwater encounter of a girl and 5 million jellyfish, featuring photography by Amber Arbucci. The merriment will be accompanied by grand piano melodies and a chance to talk with Arbucci herself. Opens Dec. 5.
Carlos Betancourt’s latest commission, Appropriations From El Rio: As Time Goes By, is a large-scale complex installation consisting of hundreds of three-dimensional elements. The artwork is produced with the collaboration and assistance of architect Alberto Latorre. The work has been commissioned by the new restaurant on the Miami River, Seasalt and Pepper Brasserie. The unveiling will coincide with the opening of the restaurant on Dec. 5, which will be an invite-only reception. It will be open to the public the following day.
If you want to take a break from all that art there are parties galore, as we mentioned in the Art Basel Roundup I. Audemars Piguet is having a blow-out with Pharrell, and Omar’s Brave Society dinner that is for Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, which will be sponsored by Paddle 8 and Haute Living.
Then of course there’s the party-slash-installation that you can’t get into no matter how hard you try. Read more about it here.
One of the best little fairs for emerging art during Miami Art Week, is Aqua, which is now part of Art Miami and opens on Dec. 4 for an exclusive VIP preview and on Dec. 5 to the public. The classic South Beach hotel is equipped with spacious exhibition rooms that open onto a breezy intimate courtyard. Aqua is sure to be a favorite gathering spot for relaxation and discussion of new contemporary art.
The Ritz-Carlton South Beach has emerged as a serious player in the art game this year. The Ritz is collaborating with Diana Lowenstein Arts gallery for a limited-edition installation suspended in the hotel’s lobby. Light and Paper, the name of German sculptor Angela Glajcar’s work, is on loan to the Ritz from Diana Lowenstein’s private collection and takes a center-stage spot for all to see.
Real Housewife of Miami and Haute 100-lister Lea Black will be at the Ritz-Carlton on Thursday from 6-8 pm to celebrate the success of her After Five crystal handbag line. The hotel’s lobby bar will feature “Lea-tinis” made with Zry Vodka and couture cookies. Handbags from Lea’s line will be on display and available for purchase.
Bonus: the hotel is offering a valuable resource exclusively to its guests. Art Basel Ambassador Noel Lanzas is the go-to Basel expert to help guests plan and navigate through parties, events and exhibits so that they can enjoy the best of Basel without the headaches of planning and organizing their own schedules.
Art consumers will be going wild over this year’s crop of satellite fairs. While they’re all amazing, hitting them all might be too lofty of a goal. Here are our suggestions:
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Basel with YogArt. Presented by Jugofresh, the exercise in Jivamukti yoga will take place beginning Thursday at Wynwood Walls in the heart of the Art District. Baselers will have the opportunity to “Take a Breather During Basel,” and participate in an enhanced yoga experience produced by Arlene Chaplin, Dawn B. Feinberg and Lee Brian Schrager.
Breakfasts and brunches are always a big thing. The Rubell Family Collection’s artistic breakfast is on Thursday from 9-12 pm with the theme “Faith.” The meal opens their new exhibition, “28 Chinese,” which was curated after six visits to China between 2001 and 2012 during which they checked out over 100 artists’ studios. Pulse will host a brunch on Thursday as well. And then, there is The Sagamore’s Annual Basel Brunch which is an important time for Basel elite to recap and recover. The brunch is hosted by hotel owners Marty and Cricket Taplin, alongside six local museums, on Saturday and is also great chance to check out the collector’s latest acquisitions and installations
And for those who wish Basel would never end…. LDV Hospitality continues the festivities with the Hendricks Shuffleboard Party at Gale rooftop on Monday, Dec. 9th, and the Falling Wishes dinner at Dolce on the 10th.
Good luck and happy Baseling!
Haute Auto
December 2, 2013Throne of Luxury, 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series
