Report from Art Basel in Miami

 

I just got back from Art Basel in Miami this weekend. Had an amazing time. Art Basel is one of the largest arts and culture shows in the United States that draws people from all over the world. I visited the Miami Photography exhibit and the Art Miami show, which was truly phenomenal. I've never seen so much contemporary art in one place. From cutting-edge photography to crafty mixed-media installations and from Chinese CGI multimedia films to colorful sculptures. 

I observed such a great play between "formal" art and mainstream pop culture, and music in particular. One of the pieces up for sale was Martin Schoeller's famous close up of Justin Timberlake. This 20" x 24" print is one of ten and sells for $3,000. Mmm. If you'd like to stare in Timberlake's baby blues a few times a day then it may be totally worth it. While on the topic of Justin Timberlake, this work by German painter Christian Schoeler reminded me by Timberlake's role in Alphadog.

Schoeller's 2004 photograph of Barack Obama was shown as well and was sold for $20,000. That's one for true fans. 

A lot of the galleries that exhibited work put out some invaluable pieces to draw attention to their other emerging and more affordable artists. I saw lots of Warhols, a few pieces from Roy Lichtenstein and this very famous painting by Takashi Murakami that has been the inspiration for a line of Louis Vuitton bags. Murakami also produced the cover art for Kanye West's "Graduation."

I also saw this enormous, wall-wide piece that features freak rocker Marilyn Manson.  And doesn't this shot of Shanghai remind you of the cover The Killers' "Hot Fuss"?

It was great to spend a couple of days in Miami where it was warm and breezy. In between strolling around all the art, the homies and I went to have drinks at Surface Magazine's at Gansevoort South rooftop lounge, which is at a beautiful location and definitely worth checking out next time you're in Miami.