Miami Basel, 2017

We got down here on Wednesday evening.  I am not my typical self of answering emails at rapid-fire speed but taking a few days off to slide, take in the art, the design and the warmth.  Saw this piece plastered to the sidewalk.  Certainly sets the tone for what is going on in the daily news.

It is pretty amazing how Miami has grown over the past decade.  I’ve always thought of this place as a portal to South America.  There are so many new restaurants, hotels, activities, art installations (museums) and more.  First day we hit up the fair at the convention hall, that is the foundation of the entire event.  Everything else hangs off of it.  Design Miami is right next door to the convention so we saw that too.  The thing about the hall is that every day is different as the galleries change their booths daily.  Some people go back and back and back.  I actually prefer some of the satellite shows that we will see later in the week.

I was not particularly wowed this year although there are always some pieces that we are drawn to.  I do like neon.  I See What You See, Joseph Kosuth.

More ceramics over the years.  Miquel Barcelo.

Joel Shapiro at Pace.

New Alex Katz at Galerie Thaddeus Ropac.  Really different change from his past work.

Tony Cragg also at Galerie Thaddeus Ropac with another Alex Katz in the background.

Have always liked Do Ho Suh’s work.

Really different work from Vik Muniz at Sikkema Jenkins.

Ariene Shechet at Los Angeles Projects

Some Charles Gaines work at two different galleries.

Zanele Muholi who we discovered last year at the fair.

Spencer Finch

Walton Ford…big fan.

Julio de Parc

Ramiro Gomez.  I really liked how he incorporated cardboard into the paintings to create these 3D effects.

Andrea Bowers who has been doing feminist works for years.  Timing is perfect right now.

Ricci Albenda, Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right

Simone Leigh.  Loved these!

Olafar Elliason.  More than a few pieces of his work at the fair.

Meschac Gaba

Henry Taylor

Rodney Graham

Thought this shirt was funny.

Elmgreen and Dragnet

Oscanio Mmm

Brian Bess at Cherry + Martin

Tschabala Self at Pillar Corrias

In Design Miami, there is always the latest and greatest in design.  Fendi’s new line.

Kim Simonsson.

Dividers at Yu Wang

Loved these chairs at Mercado Modern

Both so comfortable by Brazilian designers.

Obsessed with this table and the butterfly piece over it.

John Procario

Perfect ending of two chairs, one for the Queen and the other for the heir.

Back to the hotel to chill….not big on the late night scene but had some dinner with friends down here and recharged for the next day