Art Basel: The countdown

November 24, 4:00 PMMiami Art and Gallery Events ExaminerIrene Sperber

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Miami Art and Gallery Events Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Art Basel arrive with a happy face

As hyped as it might be, I would be remiss in my duties if I did not constantly harp on Art Basel’s official arrival at the Miami Beach Convention Center,  December 4th through 7th.  Some of The VIP (read: you are a big whoop in the Art Collecting department) pre-peeking begins days earlier. 

But, if you have been mugged by the economy,  I believe the buzz words are “Economic Vegetarian”;  not to worry; art is, after all, Democratic.  Perhaps you can 007 yourself into the Big Events if your invitation gets,  um, lost in the mail.  Barring that, pay your  $$ to enter the main fair at the Convention Center, secure in the knowledge some smaller venues are free. Comprehensive info can be found at the official website: www.artbaselmiamibeach.com

I am interested to see how the Fair, well, “fares’ in this uncertain climate.  Following the news of more Spartan collecting at other major art events recently, I see the Art world has not dodged  rampant economic bubble-popping of ’08.  How fashionable.

I suppose it may be too early to tell how the artists will interpret a world changing at warp speed.  It is sure to turn us inward as the world of easy excess slips through our fingers.

The very first Art Basel Miami Beach was usurped in 2001 by the upheaval of September 11th.  Surrounding events went on anyway…..without the guest of honor.  I do believe it gave the novice (at the time) Miami Beach a chance to “practice” it’s hosting skills before the big Kahuna arrived the following year.  This dry run was new and exuberant, which gave art citizens a much-needed boost of energy after the disturbing and enervating autumn circumstances.

For those background buffs who might be interested in reading about the “big mama” Fair in Basel Switzerland, from whence Art Basel Miami Beach sprang (sprung? sproing?), check out www.artbasel.com.

How about a walk down Memory Lane? Read about the first Art Basel MB.

I get a constant influx of info in my e-mail regarding all-things- Art-Basel every day.

New Thought:  Why should I be the only one bloated from being over-fed information?  I’ll shoot  feeds to you as I receive them.  Watch this space each day, and if you’re good and eat all your vegetables I’ll share the onslaught with you.

Next Installment:  Let’s waltz through some of the larger satellite fairs and events together and I’ll share my take of past years.  I know, I know, you are so excited. It is time to plan each day lest something special slips through.  Have I completed my planning homework you ask?   Of course not.  It is next on my list….right after shopping, planning and cooking for the Thanksgiving  Festivities. Speaking of the Holidays, don’t forget to book the Therapist  and Personal Trainer for immediately  after your warm and fuzzy family “do."