Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Art Basel Miami- Day 1 (Friday)

This was my first time seeing the craziness that is known as Art Basel, and also my first time in the state of Florida. I had a late flight getting into Miami the night before, and I guess I was still (and would remain) on California time. Scion flew me out along with a bunch of other artists for their big group show. They put us up in the Shelbourne hotel right on the beach. Woke up to this out my window:


Then 30 minutes later it was pouring. Such is Miami.

The first stop was an interview by Evan Cerasoli for the Scion project. When I was getting there Mike Giant was just finishing up and Blek le Rat was up next. Blek had an interesting story and they got an excellent interview from him. I don’t think mine was nearly as good, I'm still a little uncomfortable in front of the camera but I'm working on it.



Then off into the rain and humidity to see Mark Murphy’s booth at the Art Now fair.

Some work by Matt Haber.

Rob Bellm’s piece.

My favorite from Mark’s booth, A.J. Fosik’s piece.

An Esther Pearl Watson piece Jennifer and I bought.

Also at Art Now- Grant Barnhart at Limited Addiction’s booth. Never heard of this artist but like the work.

Ran into painter Oliver Vernon and artist/new dad Mars-1.

The staff at White Walls SF’s booth.

Before the Scion show I went out to the beach to check it out and take a breather from the noise and crowds. I was feeling a little over stimulated from seeing so much art. I think I had as much fun walking in the sand as walking around the art fairs.



The Scion show at the Ralegh penthouse....

Ron English Scion ride...

Blek Le Rat balloon

Debra Anderson and Ron English

My balloon swaying in the wind...

Some of the art in the show....

Kofie

London Police

James Jean


Blek le Rat

Freddi C. and Evan Cerasoli


Then off for some authentic Cuban food with James Jean and Mark Murphy. I think after not eating all day, we all ordered too much food. Good but filling.



Then there was a party curated by Francesco LoCastro, called Vanguard.



Another dope A.J. Fosik.


An older Barry McGee piece (I wonder if he was okay with them showing this??)

Alex Gross

Sas Christian


Grant Barnhart again.

Kirsten Anderson and Mark Murphy.

Colin Christian sculpture.

Then I went to the hotel exhausted. Had a nice intro to Miami...
Day 2 coming soon...

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

hey it's josh from miami the guy with the tattoo's i'll send u the pic of u and i as soon as i get it uploaded

hoped u like miami come back soon it was great meeting u :)

u can always stay at mi casa hahah

Unknown said...

Maybe I'm being just a tad biased here...but I'm gonna have to say that the Sotofish balloon is probably the most awesomest thing...ever.

Looks like you had fun in Miami brotha. Karen and I are gonna have to go with you on one of your next art adventures. I'm jealous! Happy for yah though man.

Love, Timberly

greg oakes said...

wow what a blog!! plane trip, fancy hotel, taking in the show; must have been such a fantastic experience eh (obviously)? after looking at all that i wish i had a beach to walk on! ;) can't wait to see day two! thanks for sharing jeff! ~go

Anonymous said...

About time you posted a little sumpin'-sumpin'. I check your blog everyday bored as hell at work. Of course I'm one to talk, my website is about 8 months outta date.

Want to go geode hunting 'tween xmas and New Years?

js

Anonymous said...

...Oh, and what Tim said. Do you get to keep the balloon when they're done with it. You could fly it over the potato stamp studio. Kinda like the inflatable gorilla at the auto center.

Sotofish balloon FTW!!!

js

Mr. Stuart said...

Its a pity I missed that, being from Florida. Miami is a weird city, but the work looked bitchin'

christa said...

VERY cool.


mele kalikimaka!