Art Basel in Miami: Finding Inspiration in Modern Art
Written by Cecilia Jayo • Co-written & EDITED by Gabriella Leone & Daniel Ramirez
The secret is out! Art Basel in Miami has been growing and growing in the past few years and it has no signs of stopping! Art Basel first started in 1970 by gallerists Ernst Beyeler, Trudl Bruckner and Balz Hilt in Basel, Switzerland. It wasn’t until 2002 that the renowned modern and contemporary art show came to Miami Beach and has since become a huge annual event, bringing with it not only some of the worlds greatest art for sale, but also a boat load of international tourists, satellite art fairs, parties, celebrities, and more to the shores of Miami Beach. This year, Art Basel Miami starts on Wednesday, December 4th and ends on Sunday, December 8th.
Art Basel Contemporary & Modern Art Fair, photo by Tomas Loewy
In fact, there is so many other events that have popped up around the same week as Art Basel, that the week is now known as “Miami Art Week” and it has become one of the most popular times to visit Miami – and you can expect hotel and airbnb prices to reflect this, so plan ahead if you decide to visit!
Art installation by Leandro Erlich for Art Basel 2019, photo by Tomas Loewy
Art all over
In terms of art, you can expect paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, films, and all kinds of immersive and interactive pieces of the highest quality on display. Apart from Art Basel, you can enjoy many other shows spanning all over the Miami area including Aqua Art Miami, Art Now Fair, Design Miami, Ink Miami, PULSE, Scope, Untitled, Art Beat, Art Miami, Context Art Miami, Fridge Art Fair Miami, Miami River Art Fair, NADA Miami, Pinta Miami, Prizm, Red Dot Miami, Spectrum Miami, and more. Check out the Art Basel official website and this helpful Miami Art Week fair guide for more information.
Art exhibited in Art Basel, photo by Tomas Loewy
Artists apparently like to party…
If you’re going to be in town for the art, you may as well go check out a good party or two as well. Miami Art Week is jam packed with events and parties every day and night, and even the weeks leading up to it too.
Art Basel has attracted all kinds of musicians and performers to the scene. This year, you can find parties in all the major party hotels and clubs you would normally expect to throw parties like the Fountainbleu, the Edition, SLS, Rockwell, Story, E11even, etc. You can also enjoy full on music festivals like Heart Music Festival with headliners like Bedouin and the Martinez Brothers, Bio Haque with artists like Grimes, Nina Kraviz & Sophie, and BaseCamp at Magic City Innovation District®. Expect all kinds of smaller parties all over Wynwood and bars like Broken Shaker, Racket, and The Anderson. Check out this Miami Art Week Party Guide for more information. The best parties of course, take place in Miami’s top millionaire homes, but good luck getting in without a proper invitation!
Art Basel parties and events, photo by Tomas Loewy
Art Basel mansion party & immersive art show exhibiting Tomas Loewy photography, photo by Tomas Loewy
Watch out for our team of digital nomads on site covering all the art fairs! Follow us at @hiyodesign to see our live coverage.