This year, the flagship Art Basel fair has several new developments: a new director of the Swiss fair, Maike Cruse (a specially created role), the launch of its brand Art Basel store, and the Parcours section now moved closer to the fair. Here's my overview: On Day 1, I visited Messeplatz, the large square in front of the fair, which has been turned into a wheatfield as part of an art installation by Agnes Denes. I then explored the Galleries sector, where I spoke with Louis Kasmin from Hazlitt Holland-Hibbert (London) and Jordi Mayoral from Galeria Mayoral (Barcelona). On Day 2, I returned to the Galleries to talk with Valentina Volchkova from Pace gallery about Jean Dubuffet's Banc-Salon sculpture, which resembles a bench. Later, I walked through the Unlimited section, which its curator, Giovanni Carmine, described as “a little town of art.” On the last day, I explored Parcours, Art Basel’s public program. Basel, Switzerland, June 13-16, 2024
Tag: RirkritTiravanija
Art BASEL MIAMI BEACH 2023
Art Basel Miami Beach 2023 returns to the Magic City for its 21st edition. The Miami Beach Convention Center is hosting 277 galleries. It's the largest art fair in North America. In the Galleries sector, I see lots of mirrors this year. Take the work "He Ram" by Chilean artist Alfredo Jaar at Goodman Gallery. It’s a reflection on the seven Social Sins outlined by Mahatma Gandhi: “Politics without principles, wealth without toil,’ it’s sold for $2.5m. Or, the double-mirrored work at Gladstone by Thai artist Rirkrit Tiravanija from 2023. Mega-galleries such as David Zwirner, Gagosian, Pace, Hauser & Writh have group presentations, which is always a safe bet. One of the highlights here is painting “Schoolboys” by South African artist Marlene Dumas, which is sold for $9 million! And of course, there is a big presence of Latin American art here. There’s a pair of Brazilian galleries - Mendes Wood DM and Nara Roesler, and a gallery from Mexico, Travesía Cuatro. Claudia Llanza, the gallery director, gives a short introduction to their booth. At the Meridians sector, which is dedicated to large-scale installations, the theme this year is Saving the Planet. There are 19 projects presented. In the VIP lounge, LA-based artist Alex Israel has AI installation called “REMEMBR.” It uses visitors’ smartphone videos to create an immersive experience. The event is sponsored by BMW which presents an all-electric BMW i5. At Casa Dragones, the Mexican tequila brand is hosting cocktail hour in a Tasting Room designed by Gloria Cortina Studio. Who is tending the bar? Artist Miles Greenberg and former director of Art Basel Marc Spiegler. One of the attendees, Danish collector Morten Aagaard, is thrilled to see what has happened to Miami over the past 25 years that he has lived here. Before leaving the venue, check out LVMH’s display in the lobby. A new limited-edition collection of handbags presented here is a collaboration with architect Frank Gehry. And if you are leaving via Collins Avenue, it's hard to miss gigantic sculpture “R-Evolution” by Marco Cochrane which arrived from Burning Man site. The 47-feet-tall, 32,000-pound-sculpture is on view through April 2024. Miami Beach, FL December 7, 2023
Greaves Productions 