The 16th edition of Art Basel hits Miami Beach this weekend, kicking off Wednesday, December 7 through Sunday, December 10, 2017. This massive event in the art world has spawned Miami Art Week, a collection of satellite art shows, creative installations and live music that attracted around 77,000 visitors in 2016, ranging serious art collectors to celebrities and socialites. It’s a visually inspiring event that wouldn’t be as magical without its Art-Deco-inspired South Beach location. Here are a few can’t-miss events art shows this weekend.
Art Basel Miami Beach
What started as an art show in Basel, Switzerland, Art Basel has grown into annual events in Hong Kong and Miami Beach. The latter takes place at the Miami Beach Convention Center and features modern and contemporary artwork from 268 top galleries around the world. Film screenings from Jibade-Khalil Huffman, Jen DeNike and Tin Ojeda, plus a Jean-Michel Basquiat documentary, will be shown on SoundScape Park’s 7,000 square-foot outdoor projection wall. And Collins Park will transform into an open-air exhibition space, with pieces curated by Philipp Kaiser.
Art Miami
This year’s 85th edition of Art Miami has a shiny new location at One Herald Plaza on Biscayne Bay. Showcasing modern and contemporary art, the show will feature more than 960 artists including big names like Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.
Context Art
Sister fair to Art Miami (in the same location, with shuttle service between the two), Context Art was launched in 2012 and showcases work from more than 470 emerging and cutting-edge artists. 95 international galleries (vetted by a selection committee) exhibit works from their collections, including solo artist exhibitions and curated projects.
Aqua Art Miami
Yet another sister fair to Art Miami, Aqua Art Miami takes place at the Aqua Hotel on Collins Avenue in South Beach. Artwork from 52 international exhibitors is displayed in the lobby and hotel rooms, with an open-air courtyard to network with artists and collectors. An installation dedicated to Keith Haring and his Pop Shop, and a 16-foot tall gold monkey sculpture by Laura Kimpton will also be on display.
Basel House Mural Festival
The Wynwood Art District is known for its massive street art, and this event is when these murals are born. Watch as 40-plus large-scale projects will be painted live across six city blocks during the three-day festival. (This year, a mural will even be created by a robot.) Live music, late-night DJs and food trucks round out the free event.
Scope Miami Beach
Located on Ocean Drive and 8th Street, Scope Miami Beach showcases 140 international exhibitors from 25 countries. In addition, NBA All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire has curated a 40-foot installation, and another installation by Felipe Pantone features hundreds of hand-painted conduits designed to look like a gradient computer glitch.
Prizm
Prizm‘s mission is to mission is to promote the work of artists from Africa and global African Diaspora, who reflect global trends in contemporary art. This year, the gallery has partnered with Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. and Mount Gay Rum to include works from Barbadian artists including Sheena Rose, who was profiled by The New York Times. The show is on display through December 17.
Pulse
This year under new direction from Katelijne De Backer, Pulse Art Fair showcases galleries and contemporary artists from around the world. Housed within two spacious pavilions in Indian Beach Park, the show is split into curated sections, highlighting galleries, solo works, special projects and new media.
Red Dot Miami
Now in its 12th year, Red Dot Miami features more than 75 galleries showing over 500 modern and contemporary artists. The theme for 2017 is “Impact,” illustrating how art might reflect society, but how it also influences it. Also on the agenda: spotlight galleries, art talks and art labs, including Our Path, a laser-cut sculpture installation. Tickets are also good for admission to sister show, Spectrum.
Untitled, Art
Set on the beach at Ocean Drive and 12th Street, Untitled, Miami Beach features 137 exhibitors from 26 countries, curated by Omar López-Chahoud. The sixth edition showcases a selection of historic works in various mediums, as well as new works from some emerging modern and contemporary artists.
