basel, baby!

WHERE TO BASEL

The official hub of Art Basel Miami Beach (Dec. 3-6) is the Miami Beach Convention Center, where 250 galleries from 31 countries showcase contemporary and modern art from nearly 4,000 different artists. But the Basel fanfare doesn’t stop there; hundreds of additional exhibitions, art fairs, pop-up galleries, exclusive events and more take place throughout the Greater Miami area. So no matter your speed – from serious collector to low-key browser – there are plenty of places for you to fit in.   

During Art Miami (Dec. 1-6), along with its sister fair, CONTEXT, nearly 125 international art galleries come together at the Art Miami Pavilion in Midtown to showcase contemporary and modern artworks from around the globe. It is Miami’s longest-running contemporary art fair and continues to be a “must-visit” for serious art collectors during Basel week. The adjacent Spectrum Miami (Dec. 2-6) is showcasing a special exhibition, ARTE Cuba, which is sure to draw much attention. artmiamifair.com | contextartmiami.com
spectrum-miami.com 

Celebrating 15 years, SCOPE (Dec. 1-6) will once again set its stage directly on the sands at Ocean Drive and Eighth Street, offering a striking mix of beach vacation and cultural getaway, while NADA (Dec. 3-6), the only major American art fair to be run by a nonprofit organization (New Art Dealers Association), has moved its friendly and accessible experience to the Fontainebleau hotel. scope-art.com newartdealers.org

Smaller exhibits also worth noting include the YoungArts Gallery“s interactive presentation from Miami native Daniel Arsham entitled “The Future Was Written” (on display through Dec. 11), which will reveal nearly 2,000 objects made of chalk; and Mandarin Oriental, Miami“s “Pure Abstraction” (Dec. 3-6), a partnership with Peruvian gallery MORBO, featuring works by internationally recognized contemporary street artist Alex Brewer, better known as HENSE. youngarts.org | mandarinoriental.com/miami

And, of course, one of the best ways to view art is in the great outdoors – for free. For the fifth year, Art Basel’s Public (Dec. 9-13), a partnership with the Bass Museum of Art, will once again be held in Collins Park in front of the Bass Museum. The display is guest curated by Nicholas Baume, chief curator of the Public Art Fund in New York. Look for cutting-edge sculptures and colorful life-sized pieces. artbasel.com/miami-beach/the-show

WHERE TO EAT

“Top Chef” alum and restaurateur Dale Talde’s highly anticipated TALDE at the Thompson Miami Beach will be opening immediately preceding Art Basel. The restaurant is already one of Brooklyn’s hottest dining establishments; expect to see the same inventive Asian-American fare, this time in a swanky beach setting. taldemiamibeach.com

What is one to do when hunger strikes in the midst of serious art connoisseuring? Simply head across the street to the Miami Beach Botanical Garden where beloved Chef Michelle Bernstein will be operating a pop-up restaurant and cafe. During the day, Bernstein will present healthy, locally sourced bites at the Garden Cafe, while serving her signature tapas at Michy’s Pop Up at night. chefmichellebernstein.com

After a successful launch in Delray, Apeiro Kitchen & Bar is now open in Midtown Miami. Certain to be an Art Week hot spot, the Mediterranean eatery from critically acclaimed Chef David Blonsky and iconic restaurateur Burt Rapoport offers a rustic yet imaginative menu with a lively atmosphere and gorgeous design. The Miami location features a creative cocktail menu, likely leading to a bustling bar scene. apeirorestaurants.com

One of Miami’s much-awaited hotel openings for 2015 is The Hall by Joie de Vivre, the boutique brand of San Francisco-based Commune Hotels & Resorts. The new hotel, located at 15th Street and Collins Avenue, will feature an Olympic-sized pool, chic cabanas and a backyard bar and outdoor lounge. The culinary star of The Hall will be Sunny’s, a restaurant from another “Top Chef” alum, Spike Mendelsohn. thehallhotel.com

WHAT TO SEE (AND WHERE TO BE SEEN) 

With the ever-expanding Design District on a tear to add 60 new stores and restaurants within the next two years, this year’s Basel will be an important preview for the growing neighborhood. On the retail side, new stores from Dolce & Gabbana, Diane Von Furstenberg and Rag & Bone are all in the works, while major restaurants such as Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s ABC Kitchen and three outposts from culinary giant Joël Robuchon, including the L’Atelier, have been announced. The timing of the openings is scattered, but you can bet the area will be hosting some superior pre-opening events. miamidesigndistrict.net 

Miami’s Ironside neighborhood is an artsy community on the city’s Upper Eastside that’s teeming with architects, designers, boutiques, restaurants and galleries. The unique outdoor environment hosts myriad cutting-edge art events each year during Art Basel. This year’s main event will be the district-wide Campus Collective: Design Escape Party (Dec. 4), which is expected to welcome over 1,000 cultural enthusiasts to watch live art demonstrations, listen to live music, drink specialty cocktails and more. miamiironside.com

S W G R, a wholly “only in South Florida” concept in Wynwood, is a fishing-meets-retail-meets-art space. Founder and sport fisherman Daniel Hassan opened the gallery after selling his multimedia art and streetwear-focused apparel online. During Basel, the space will showcase exhibits from artists Jesse Draxler, Adam Cohen and Jake Lamagno, as well as an original video installation by S W G R creative director Steve Yancar. swgrgallery.com ?

 

A-LIST ART WEEK

Want to be fully in on the Basel scene without lifting a finger? “Lifestylists” Luiz Hoinkis and Justin Keeperman have created WGY Lifestyle, a modern concierge service that will build you the perfect Miami Art Week itinerary. Score VIP invites to the hottest private parties, secure seats at the most coveted restaurants, or take a last-minute helicopter ride to a David Guetta concert; these guys can give you a one-of-a-kind A-list experience. wgylifestyle.com