Art Miami & Art Basel Miami Beach 2009, Major Art Venues, Poised for Collectors

Cynthia Corbett. Nicolas de Saint Gregoire
Homage to Mondrian, 2009, edition of 5

“We term it Art Week in the city of Miami,” says Art Miami Show Director Nick Korniloff. For a week every December, Miami and Miami Beach are transformed into one of the most important contemporary art scenes in the world. Art Basel Miami Beach, Art Miami, and many other smaller shows lure worldwide collectors who summer in Newport and otherwise and live in far-flung locations.

Art Miami, which is presently celebrating its 20th anniversary is the city’s longest-running contemporary art fair. Considered one of the most important shows for modern and contemporary art in the country, the Fair takes place December 2-6 in the Midtown Miami Arts District, adjacent to the Miami's Wynnewood Arts District. Art Miami 2009 features works from more than 80 national and international contemporary art galleries. It further distinguishes itself from the other Miami art fairs taking place at the same time by presenting decorative arts, African Tribal art. Pre-Colombian, Japanese bamboo art and kiln formed glass.

Galerie Terminus, Munich,Tony Cragg
"Good Face" Bronze

“There is great cross-over in both fairs,” Korniloff stated “but you will also see very different things that are relevant to a wider audience. What is actually different this year is the heavy focus on the strong secondary market for artists such as Pablo Picasso, Roy Lichtenstein and others, as well as the modern masters and cutting-edge artists who are producing very exciting work.

At Art Basel Miami Beach, known as the “Grandaddy of all art fairs,” the climate is one of surging excitement. Held in the Convention Center in Miami Beach, about a 10-minute shuttle ride away from the Art Miami location, the air is electrified, as over 40,000 ticket holders strain at the lines to enter. As the sister event of Switzerland’s Art Basel, the world most prestigious art show, ABMB combines an international selection of more than 250 leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa to exhibit 20th and 21st century artworks by over 2,000 artists.

C. Grimaldis Gallery, Chul-Hyun Ahn, "Branch", 2008, Plywood, lights, mirrors, found branches

The international crowd, everyone who is anyone in the contemporary art world, is in Miami to admire and acquire the work of established and emerging artists. In addition, there are cross-over events featuring music, video art, and film, as well as panel discussions and public art projects designed to engage participants in creative discussions.

Art Basel Miami Beach’s co-director Annette Schonholzer summed it up recently, when she spoke to Capital File Magazine. “The strength of Art Basel Miami Beach stems from the tradition of 40 years of Art Basel, Switzerland, the most prestigious art show in the world. But when Art Basel Miami Beach was created seven years ago, Art Basel’s DNA was not simply cloned, but rather adapted to its new location by taking in more galleries from the United States and South America and connecting to Miami Beach’s and tropical spirit.”

Friedman Benda, Ai Weiwei, Forever Bicycles, 2006

Adding that “those who gather at the star-studded parties will enjoy fabulous events, with great cuisine done by our restaurant partner “Stuntino,” Korniloff says, “ what is really exciting, is that we are drawing art professionals, museum professionals, collectors, curators, independent curators who work for private collectors and even people who just enjoy art. In totality this is a very big and important exhibition, that takes time to see and absorb, you don’t step in and step out. You have to stay and absorb it all.”

Explaining that the atmosphere is so all inclusive and totally focused, hesays the two major shows, as well as all 19 ancillary, smaller shows all over town, make this the most “happening” place in the country for contemporary art. Strong support is evident from the local community, museums offer great exhibitions in December and many magnificent private collections throwing open their doors to welcome international guests. “It is very diverse, with different ambience from venue to venue;” says Korniloff, “but most the important in America in this specific world.”

Barry Friedman Ltd., Maxim Kantor, The Fight, 1994, oil on canvas

Collector Betsy Stapleton, of Manhattan and Little Compton, RI , works at Janet Borden Inc., a photography gallery in Soho and says that she feels very upbeat about the Miami shows. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm this year because last year was very flat. In what I have heard and read, I think it will be very exciting in Miami. I feel there also several collectors in New York with very deep pockets who are interested in fresh, young artists.”

Korniloff indicates, while big money collectors are expected, there are opportunities for every type of buyer. “We have every price point from a couple thousands to several million,” he says. “In addition we have a very diverse and ambient contemporary look – it attracts people from all over the world to see these things. It is the best week of the year to be in this amazing city.”

-- Marion Laffey Fox

IF YOU GO:
Art Basel Miami Beach, December 3 – 6. Information: www.artbaselmiamibeach.com
Art Miami, December 2 – 6. Information: www.Art-Miami.com