NEWSLETTER #815December 16, 2008
THE JACOBS GROUP™ Art Basel Miami Beach 2008
SCENE REPORT : List of Bests...
Whew! After producing a 5 day tour of one of the most important art fairs in the world, we are ready for a break. But not before putting our thoughts on paper (ugh, we mean computer) by creating a "list of bests" - 9 favorite things we remember from the fair this year...
#1 BEST PERSPECTIVE ON THE FAIR: AXA Fine Arts Experts.
Navigating the convention center alone, with over 250 galleries and 2000 artists is a daunting enough task, so we enlisted the help of Brian Shannon. An AXA Fine Arts expert, Brian showed us his top picks of the fair, as well as let us pick his brain on the fair and the world art economy. All over a few glasses of bubbly!
Navigating the convention center alone, with over 250 galleries and 2000 artists is a daunting enough task, so we enlisted the help of Brian Shannon. An AXA Fine Arts expert, Brian showed us his top picks of the fair, as well as let us pick his brain on the fair and the world art economy. All over a few glasses of bubbly!
#2 BEST USE OF INEXPENSIVE MATERIALS - Art Positions
Was everyone cutting back a bit this year? Maybe. Maybe not. One thing we loved for sure was the inexpensive yet ingenious design of the Art Positions lounge area. Made exclusively from eco friendly foam panels and illuminated from inside, this was a great place to relax between the viewing the numerous shipping containers filled with emerging galleries from around the US.
Was everyone cutting back a bit this year? Maybe. Maybe not. One thing we loved for sure was the inexpensive yet ingenious design of the Art Positions lounge area. Made exclusively from eco friendly foam panels and illuminated from inside, this was a great place to relax between the viewing the numerous shipping containers filled with emerging galleries from around the US.
#3 BEST EXHIBITION: "Russian Dreams" at the Bass Museum.
This show, curated by Olga Sviblova, Director of the Multimedia Art Museum in Moscow, juxtaposed well known and emerging Russian artists. The VIP opening of the show was complete madness, with a sense of energy in the air that was almost palpable. Shown is Alexei Kostroma’s, Feathered Aggression, a site-specific installation of a feathered cannon.
This show, curated by Olga Sviblova, Director of the Multimedia Art Museum in Moscow, juxtaposed well known and emerging Russian artists. The VIP opening of the show was complete madness, with a sense of energy in the air that was almost palpable. Shown is Alexei Kostroma’s, Feathered Aggression, a site-specific installation of a feathered cannon.
#4 BEST PRIVATE PARTY - Marcel Wander's Mondrian Hotel Opening Party
As if celebrating the opening of the Marcel Wanders-designed Mondrian hotel wasn't enough... Throw in Marcel himself, the gorgeous steel cut staircase, a 120 degree view of Miami, an Ivana Trump sighting, and the flowing Veuve Cliquot. Why a rendering of the interior? I didn't want to scare the Olsen twin standing next to me with a flash.
As if celebrating the opening of the Marcel Wanders-designed Mondrian hotel wasn't enough... Throw in Marcel himself, the gorgeous steel cut staircase, a 120 degree view of Miami, an Ivana Trump sighting, and the flowing Veuve Cliquot. Why a rendering of the interior? I didn't want to scare the Olsen twin standing next to me with a flash.
#5 BEST SATELITE FAIR - NADA (New Art Dealers Alliance)
Though a great many satellite fairs have sprung up over the years, we found our fave hang-out this year to be the NADA fair. Where else would you see a Tony Tasset snowman amidst palm trees, and a mirror polished stainless steel ping-pong table open for play? We also loved Aqua Wynwood this year - a great collection of galleries including top galleries from the Pacific NW.
Though a great many satellite fairs have sprung up over the years, we found our fave hang-out this year to be the NADA fair. Where else would you see a Tony Tasset snowman amidst palm trees, and a mirror polished stainless steel ping-pong table open for play? We also loved Aqua Wynwood this year - a great collection of galleries including top galleries from the Pacific NW.
#6 BEST TECHNOLOGICAL AID - TJG Mobile!
Three things you need in Miami: Your VIP Pass, $, and TJG MOBILE. Excuse us if we blow our own horn for a minute, but we're unsure how we ever navigated the fair without this in the past. Throw away the maps, the brochures, and navigate purely from your mobile phone with up to the minute itineraries, invites, suggestions, and maps!
Three things you need in Miami: Your VIP Pass, $, and TJG MOBILE. Excuse us if we blow our own horn for a minute, but we're unsure how we ever navigated the fair without this in the past. Throw away the maps, the brochures, and navigate purely from your mobile phone with up to the minute itineraries, invites, suggestions, and maps!
#7 BEST USE OF A DOILY - Design Miami
Okay, well it really wasn't a doily. Design Miami's exhibition venue this year, designed by emerging architectural practice Aranda/Lasch, included a tent with stunning laser cut hexagons. Definitely a departure from the past with use of the Moore Space, this design was not only a showcase for the work inside, but became a presence in the neighborhood.
Okay, well it really wasn't a doily. Design Miami's exhibition venue this year, designed by emerging architectural practice Aranda/Lasch, included a tent with stunning laser cut hexagons. Definitely a departure from the past with use of the Moore Space, this design was not only a showcase for the work inside, but became a presence in the neighborhood.
#8 BEST COLLECTION SHOW - Rubell Family Collection
There are many impressive Collection shows during Basel: Margulies, Robbins, etc, but The Rubell Collection "30 Americans" was one of the most powerful and certainly the most timely. I'll never forget watching William Pope L. staring at a Kehinde Wiley.
There are many impressive Collection shows during Basel: Margulies, Robbins, etc, but The Rubell Collection "30 Americans" was one of the most powerful and certainly the most timely. I'll never forget watching William Pope L. staring at a Kehinde Wiley.
#9 BEST PUBLIC ART DISPLAY - "Bubble" on Watson Island
It took Beijing artist Ai Weiwei two years to make "Bubble" – a site specific installation of over 100 blue ceramic porcelain bubbles which were then aligned over 2,000 square feet in Island Gardens. This was a beautiful respite from the madness that was Art Basel Miami Beach 2008.
It took Beijing artist Ai Weiwei two years to make "Bubble" – a site specific installation of over 100 blue ceramic porcelain bubbles which were then aligned over 2,000 square feet in Island Gardens. This was a beautiful respite from the madness that was Art Basel Miami Beach 2008.
View our Art Basel Miami Beach 2008 slideshow on Flickr here!Save the date! Join us in 2009 for Art Basel Miami Beach - Dec 1-6, 2009!
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The Jacobs Group LLC
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P 503-922-2863 TF 866-362-1039
creativetravel@thejacobsgroup.net
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© 2008 The Jacobs Group™ LLC - All rights reserved.
The Jacobs Group LLC
1314 NW Irving St. Suite 405 Portland, OR 97209 USA
P 503-922-2863 TF 866-362-1039
creativetravel@thejacobsgroup.net
Having problems viewing this? Click here to view it in a browser
To insure delivery of our newsletters, add creativetravel@thejacobsgroup.net to your address book!
© 2008 The Jacobs Group™ LLC - All rights reserved.