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This year Art Basel Miami Beach a spinoff of the premier international art show which began over 40 years ago, in 1970, in Basel, Switzerland will mark its 15th anniversary and from November 28th to December 4th, 2016 it will again play host to the international art world. Since its inception in 2002 Art Basel Miami Beach has evolved transforming the reputation of Miami which was perhaps better known for miles and miles of sandy beaches, classic Art Deco architecture and its wild and crazy nightlife. During the month of December Miami Beach is now recognised as an important art show with ground-breaking and visionary programs offering a series of special exhibitions at museums and galleries across its city.
This year more than 269 galleries are set to participate, although thousands of galleries from across the world apply in Basel’ s five categories- Nova, Edition, Survey, Positions and Galleries only several hundred are accepted to exhibit at the fair. This year’ s list of accepted spaces includes galleries from 29 countries, including The Box and Various Small Fires from Los Angeles, Clearing and JTT from New York, House of Gaga from Mexico City, Galerie Greta Meert from Brussels, High Art from Paris, Nanzuka from Tokyo and two Miami-based exhibitors: Fredric Snitzer Gallery and David Castillo Gallery.
The fair held at the Miami Conference Centre which offers 500,000 feet of exhibit space, a brand new 60,000 square foot ballroom, and 81 meeting rooms is divided into varied themed-sectors, the largest, the“ Galleries” section, will feature 193 exhibitors.“ Survey,” now in its third year, will present 14 curated presentations of work from before 2000.“ Nova,” on the other hand, will focus on newer galleries and up-and-coming artists, with 35 exhibitors.“ Edition” will bring together 11 galleries who focus on print-based work and finally, the“ Positions” sector, with 16 solo booths, will provide a platform for individual artists to showcase a major project.
Part of the“ Art Basel Experience” is the series of official and unofficial events taking place at the same time which make up the“ Miami Art Week.” Hotel lobbies along the Art Deco District transform into mini-galleries, and beyond the beach, a lot of the action will be at Miami’ s up-and-coming neighbourhoods: the Miami Design District, Midtown and the Wynwood Arts District where large tents, temporary warehouses, make-shift galleries and stores pop up. The atmosphere here is quite different from the main venue, especially at Wynwood, reflecting on the very unique and spirited edginess of the alternative exhibitors.
Art Basel Miami is something one has to witness to truly get a grasp for how magnificent it is. There is no shortage of things to do and see – including the eclectic and avant-garde fashions worn by the attendees and participants as they walk through the galleries and surrounding area unwittingly creating a show within the show.
The annual event is something everyone who has an affinity for art, culture, design and creativity in general should experience first-hand at least once in their lifetime.
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For more info: www. artbasel. com