Art Basel Miami Beach, FL, 2007
Best Contemporary International Art Fair in the Americas
International art collectors, jet-setting royalty, and limelight-loving celebrities like Paris Hilton flock to Miami Beach during Art Basel, Dec 6-9, 2007.
For the past six years, the first weekend in December marks one of the most influential art events in the US: Art Basel Miami Beach. Based on the original Art Basel in Basel Switzerland, this American version has proven to be instantly popular by serious art aficionados as well as party-loving celebrities.
This year’s fair launched with the usual lavish parties, VIP pre-parties and ultra-exclusive pre-pre-parties. Then there were the after-parties, which tend to roll over into the next day’s parties. While this event is definitely one with an overall mood of celebration and exuberance, it’s also rooted in some serious business.
Gallery owners, art brokers and amateur collectors congregate here from all over the world to seek the hottest names about to take off in the art world. Popular items are actually sold weeks in advance, although it’s obvious through the hustle and bustle, and wheeling and dealing that a lot of pieces are selling on the spot as well.
Probably the priciest piece at Art Basel Miami is offered by David Nahmad, an art dealer from Monaco. He brought a 1932 Picasso portrait, with a price tag of US$100 million. At this price, it seems more likely that he’ll take it back with him than sell it, which is probably what he’s hoping for. Art is an emotional business and once you fall in love with a piece, no price can tempt parting with it. Even US$100m.
For those with a more limited budget, there are plenty of public seminars and lectures available, from US$8-$15. And for US$50, the Ritz-Carlton South Beach offers an opportunity to purchase small pieces by world-renowned and emerging artists as well as some Hollywood celebrities. The Masters’ Mystery Art Show (MMAS) is in its fourth year at the hotel and showcases more than 1,500 6”x9” postcard-sized paintings by over 300 mystery artists from 31 countries. Each postcard is signed on the back, but only after its sale is the signature revealed. Patrons are buying the art because they love it, not because of the name, but it’s entirely possible that a US$50 souvenir of Art Basel becomes a priceless addition to a collection. Last year’s artists in MMAS include Rachel Ray, Jose Carreras, Bernadette Peters, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and Madonna’s daughter, Lola. Proceeds from MMAS benefit the Florida International University Masters of Fine Arts Program. Last year, the MMAS raised more than US$30,000 for this program.
