Kathleen Ryan Bad Fruit courtesy of @artbasel.
While Art Basel Miami Beach might have a bad reputation for ridiculous parties and excessive schmoozing, there are many fun and interesting things happening away from the bar and the bottomless champagne. At this year’s fair, there’s a whole new section, Meridians, boasting some 34 large-scale works as well as a thought provoking selection of speakers as part of Art Basel’s Conversations programme. There’s also so much more happening in the city beyond Art Basel itself, including a host of satellite fairs—NADA, Untitled, Design Miami, Pinta and Pulse. Here’s our guide to what to see should you find yourself in Miami this weekend.
1.Portia Munsen—The Garden (1996)
Among the 34 large-scale works at this year’s new Meridians sector is Portia Munsen’s gorgeous The Garden (1996)—a magnificent grotto festooned with acres of fake flowers, floral dresses and stuffed animals as well as found bric-a-brac and furniture. While ideal for Instagram-ready photo-ops, the work offers a critique into gender-normative structures.
2. Fernando LaPosse—Pink Beasts
Strung throughout Miami’s Design district are the fuchsia sloths and matching hammocks crafted by Mexican designer Fernando Laposse in conjunction with fibre artist Angela Damman and local artisans in Sacabah, Yucatán. The fibrous creations are made from the agave plant and dyed with the central Mexican cochineal insect, which produces the worlds brightest natural red dye, commonly used by the ancient Aztecs. The alfresco exhibition stretches across the trees and arches of the neighbourhood, making it difficult to miss.
3. Ariana Papademetropoulos—Never Never Land
LA-based artist Ariana Papademetropoulos is presenting a selection of dreamy, aquatic-inspired oil paintings at NADA Miami. Known for her hypnotic art works that merge inside and outside, reality and the surreal, Never Never Land is a mesmeric display of new work, bringing questions of femininity and mysticism to the fore.
4. Daniel Arsham x Friedman Benda
Taking a break from his countless sneaker collaborations, Daniel Arsham created a surreal home office with furniture that resembles artefacts from the future. Between the deconstructed upholstery, crudely carved desk and doodlings that cover everything from the carpet to the legs of chairs, the room definitely takes you out of the Miami convention centre and into Arsham’s cabinet of curiosities.
5. Conversations programme at Art Basel Miami Beach
If you’re looking to broaden your horizons, look no further than Art Basel’s hugely informative and smart panel series. This edition has a number of exciting discussions including a panel on the American pioneer of feminist and performance art, Carolee Schneemann, who died earlier this year, a conversation on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, and a must-see chat between poet of the moment Precious Okoyomon and the equally-now, Rirkrit Tiravanija.
6. Kathleen Ryan—Bad Fruit
It’s likely that you’ve spotted American artist Kathleen Ryan’s besquinned fruits popping up on your Instagram feed of late. If you happen to be in Miami, you’re in for a treat as you can now see the first complete collection of Ryan’s glittering produce, studded with beads, pearl, and semi-precious stones.
7. Fendi Frenesia Baguette
While Fendi’s Baguette is an icon in its own right, the Italian luxury house has taken Miami Art Week as an opportunity to add a sensory layer to the shoulderbag: scent. While the Parisian perfumer Maison Francis Kurkdjian has produced a gender fluid eau de perfume FENDIFRENESIA to accompany the bag, the actual Selleria leather of the limited edition yellow Fendi bags carries the scent. While the bags will be available wordwide as of May, the only place to smell them now is at the Fendi Miami boutique.
8. Marc Ange—The Garden of Beauty
Fittingly named Il Pavone, or peacock in Italian, Marc Ange’s capsule collection is comprised of a variety of plushly plumed thrones that give a much-needed update to the classic wicker peacock chair. The exotic bird inspired the French designer, because they are one of the only animals that favour opulence over function. Nestled in the showroom of the Visionnaire Miami, the thrones can be seen in a habitat of lush palms.