Art Basel 2019 – What to expect

If you want to visit the most comprehensive and international contemporary art fair in North America, then you should be in the City of Miami in the first week of December. It began in the year 2002 but has now become a thriving art fair in its own right with the main event being held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, and more than 20 satellite fairs conducted all around the city!

If we go by the trend of the last few years, you can expect about 268 of America’s finest art museums and galleries to make their presence felt with their uniqueness. Not just that, over 4,000 artists from all over the world will be showcasing their artistry in drawings, sculptures, contemporary paintings, photography, films and videos, digital art and installations, etc. Following can be some of the highlights at this year’s Art Basel.

Exhibition Space

The exhibition space at the Miami Beach Convention Center will be divided into the following sectors: Positions, Galleries, Nova, Kabinett, Edition, Magazines, Survey, and Meridians.

• International galleries will showcase the work of the artists they represent in the Galleries sector which will be the centerpiece of the show.

• Nova will exhibit cutting-edge and new works from emerging galleries and artists.

• In the Survey sector, you will get to see art history projects ranging from thematic exhibitions to solo shows with select galleries.

• Kabinett will be dedicated to a body of work by a single artist or a themed group exhibition.

• The Mexico City based Magali Arriola curated a new sector named “Meridians” in the new Grand Ballroom of the convention center. It will present monumental works like installations, large scale sculptors, performance arts, etc.

Conversations & Panel discussions

A series of lectures and conversations have been lined up throughout the week that will bring together gallerists, activists, cultural figures, artists, collectors, academics, and others to have healthy talks and discussions regarding the art market and contemporary art. This year you can expect something personal and different from all the participants.

Among the topics that are lined up for discussion include the direction of LGBTQIA+ culture 50 years after the Stonewall riots, ethics of museum funding, challenging climate change denial, clashing of social media standards and the freedom of expression of the artists.

Some topics will be more serious and larger than the contemporary art market. E.g. The International rise of nationalism and the accompanying violence, newly coming up regressive legislation in many of the US states that are threatening to strip women of their reproductive rights, and others.

Some influential names that will be attending this year’s conversations will be Precious Okoyomon, Sharmistha Ray, Allison Janae Hamilton, Marilyn Minter, Carlos Motta, Agnieszka Kurant, Zanele Muholi, and others. As these panels are open to the public, you are free to attend them.

The “don’t miss” Attractions

Miami is blessed with some premier art museums and private art collections in the world. The renowned Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) will be taking part in the Art Basel and their exhibitions will include George Segal’s “Abraham’s Farewell to Ishmael,” Teresita Fernandez’s “Elemental,” and others. Also attend the special exhibits of:

• Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami.
• Wolfsonian-FIU.
• The Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum-FIU.
• Lowe Art Museum.

Since the entire city submerges in the world of art, don’t restrict yourself only to the Convention Center; there will be satellite fairs too, in multiple locations. Walk through Midtown, South Beach, Downtown, or Wynwood localities. Do visit the De La Cruz Collection, The Marguiles Collection at the Warehouse, and the Rubell Museum.

The Design Miami tent will showcase collectibles of 20^th and 21^st century design by the world’s leading galleries. Also check out the NADA Miami, Pulse Miami, and Untitled, Miami Beach for more such cutting edge work. Do visit this official link: https://www.artbasel.com/miami-beach for more information in tickets, travel, hotels, etc. and gear up for the biggest art show in this continent!

Image credits: https://www.artnews.com/art-news/market/2018-miami-art-week-cheat-sheet-11421/