Friday was mind numbing as far as amount of artwork viewed by my eyes, and today would be no different. You sorta get numb to it all after a while, and a piece really has to move you or be substantially different to get noticed. There is soo much art.
I was a bit confused myself at first so for those who don’t know, “Art Basel” is a catch-all phrase for all the art events in Miami that go on that weekend. Art Basel itself is at the Miami Convention Center, and is the main show (or at least started out as the main show). I guess the name stuck, and the whole event is called Art Basel. The other art fairs take place at different venues, mostly hotels where rooms are turned into art galleries.
Being my first time I thought the art events were confined to the peninsula town of Miami Beach where I was staying. I quickly found out there were art fairs pretty much all over mainland Miami, so many in fact that it’s pretty much impossible to see it all.
I decided for my first trip to stay close and see as much as possible, including Art Basel proper at the convention center. I started my day at Bridge Art fair with pal James Jean. Saw these nice Marcel Dzama pieces.
Had brunch with James, Gary Baseman, Marion Peck and Mark Ryden. Super nice people all around.
Then James and I were off to Art Basel.....
Taylor McKimmens. Wow! Always inspirational to me....
Barry McGee of course
Some Swoon magic....
Unknown artist but beautiful cut outs....
Diamond dust Damien Hirst print
Lari Pittman!
Ryden’s new piece (I showed this to Shannon and she said, “Puppy! Awww so cute.”
Lisa Yuskavage
Kara Walker
Never knew Warhol did a Mogwai piece...
A Man Ray painting. Interesting image, I'm more familiar with his photography.
Ed Templeton
More random shots of work I liked....
Afterwards, I went out to the beach again. Nature really outshines all the excess and partying that was taking place (at least for me). I think after so much visual stimulation it’s important to breathe and refresh, like drinking some water in between bites of flavorful foods. It’s a quiet and serene place, pretty much the opposite of the rest of the evening!
There was a big dinner party that started off smallish and kept growing. The Clayton Bros. were there, Jamie O’Shea, Evan Cerasoli and Freddi C, Biskup, Baseman, Ryden and Marion Peck, plus alot more; it was a nice evening. And the food kept flowing in which is always good.
Walking over to Jamie O’Shea’s
Supertouch party...
At the party....
Jamie and I, yeah I look a little crazed..
Andrew and Andrew were DJing.
Marsea Goldberg is awesome...
David Choe, me with lollipop (why not, the bar had them everywhere), Sam (of Friends With You) and Mr. James Jean.
After party dessert fun with Brandt Peters, Kathie Olivas, Mark Murphy, and Colin and Sas Christian.
Another long day. Day 3 (Sunday) coming soon...
