I just got back from Art Basel Miami, which seems to get crazier each year — and less about the art. Just like New York Fashion Week, it now starts earlier and takes up more space (South Beach, Downtown, and The Design District) as the buzz around the art fair increases. I didn't arrive in Miami until Thursday, but a number of high profile events were scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday (including ones hosted by Chanel and The Webster). Most interestingly, a good 80% of the most buzzed about happenings had absolutely nothing to do with art. In fact, most people I spoke with didn't make it to the Convention Center for the main fair, nor did they make it to any of the ancillary fairs like Scope, Untitled, or Nada.
I tried my best to balance a little bit of everything. Here's a look at some of the week's most notable happenings.
Art Basel
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Art Basel Miami
Miami Beach Convention Center.
image: Getty
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Art Basel Miami
Works on display at Art Public.
image: Getty
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Art Basel Miami
Miami Beach Convention Center.
image: Getty
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MCM x @60" Artist Series Launch
Held at the SLS, one of Miami's most popular hotels, this event celebrated the launch of MCM x @60” artist collaboration and featured some unique takes on MCM handbags.
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MCM x @60" Artist Series Launch
When an invitation says "dinner," that is used very loosely in Miami...
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MCM x @60" Artist Series Launch
Some artfully prepared hors d'oeuvres.
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MCM x @60" Artist Series Launch
Some more artfully prepared hors d'oeuvres — a deconstructed key lime pie served in a lime.
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MCM x @60" Artist Series Launch
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MCM x @60" Artist Series Launch
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VH1 You Oughta Know & SCOPE Miami Official Party
Featuring a live performance by Metric, this event took place at the VH1 Outdoor Lounge by the Scope Art Fair.
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VH1 You Oughta Know & SCOPE Miami Official Party
Some of the art featured at Scope. This piece is from SCOPE Artists on the Rise Patrick Martinez.
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VH1 You Oughta Know & SCOPE Miami Official Party
Fiat, a Scope sponsor, set up a Neon Paint Photo Booth.
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VH1 You Oughta Know & SCOPE Miami Official Party
An innovative utensil that merges chopsticks and a fork.
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Organic Juice by DeliverLean
The team behind the newly launched juice program from DeliverLean sent around a variety of beverages to keep editors fueled with fresh juices throughout the weekend.
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Bliss Spa
The spas were packed. I stopped by Bliss, located inside the W Hotel, for their signature Blisssage 49 (which came complete with brownies and tea) and then lingered by the pool and beach area for a relaxing respite.
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Plane Text
A genius project called "Plane Text," sponsored by Morgans Hotel Group, included 15 chartered planes flying banners created by artists including Richard Prince and Lawrence Weiner. They said things like, "Blah Blah Blah," "People Getting Ready to do Things," and "Will Wilbur or Will Orville Be Mister Right?” — all of which could be seen by beachgoers lounging around in Morgans' properties.
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Menorah
In the middle of it all, Hanukkah started and a huge seashell covered menorah was set up in the middle of one of the most popular shopping streets, Lincoln Road. Art in my book!
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Sean Donaldson Hair
Aside from spas, salons were also packed as those less interested in art and more interested in parties packed in to get their hair done (no judgment as that may or may not include myself). I stopped by Sean Donaldson Hair, where I ran into a number of other editors getting Keratin Complex blowouts.
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Stylecaster's "The Most Stylish: Miami" Party
A live Art Battle performance.
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Stylecaster's "The Most Stylish: Miami" Party
One thing I learned on my trip is that Miami is very, very small. You run into the same people night after night, including old friends like Babes at the Museum founder Xavier Aaronson.
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Stylecaster's "The Most Stylish: Miami" Party
Paul Sevigny, who along with The Misshapes, DJ'd the event.
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NADA After Party
NADA threw an after party to celebrate their art fair. It was held at a venue where the floor was covered in sand.
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Sky Zone Sports
Miami is big on fitness so I took some time to check out their offerings, including Sky Zone Sports, a 16,000 square foot trampoline-filled space.
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Boating
Boating alongside the mansions of Miami...
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Roberto Cavalli and Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show
Rico Love celebrates his 30th Birthday with a Roberto Cavalli and Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show. Nothing says Miami like Cavalli.
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Roberto Cavalli and Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show
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Roberto Cavalli and Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show
Russell Simmons taking in the night's fashions.
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Grey Goose Vodka's Le PomPon Pop-up, LCD Soundsystem & Curtis Kulig Event
Held at the Hotel Victor this event included a full lineup of well known DJs along with interactive art.
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The Morrison Gallery and Electric Room pop-up at Dream South Beach
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The Morrison Gallery and Electric Room pop-up at Dream South Beach
The Electric Room's Nur Khan snaps a photo of DJ Cash.
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A Souvenir from Miami...
