It took a while, but now with Art Basel Miami Beach unpacked with all my luggage, here’s one last postcard of some of my favorite art moments. The art was truly everywhere: from the penthouse of the Raleigh Hotel to the windows of Wahlgreen’s. Sadly, there was no way for me to be! Art Basel has grown to signify an event rather than the single fair and it was dizzying to be in the thick of art as an industry. It was an unparalleled opportunity to be surrounded by some of the very best contemporary art in the world. Not only was I able to see work by artists I love, many of whom have been featured on Art MoCo, but it was an excellent introduction to more who will be featured over the next few months. I got a laugh out of the ladies who approached the Modern Moses installation by Elmgren & Dragset featured by the Massimo de Carlo Gallery when they needed cash. More favorite moments (and photos) after the jump.

Modern Moses by Elmgren & Dragset


Favorite piece at Art Basel: I was surprised here. I hadn’t expected to fall for video, but the combination of the photography, music and Janiele in Caetano Dias’ O Mundo de Janiele made my personal Best of Show. The ShanghART Gallery was a close second, for sheer cheek.



The Opening/The Black Paintings #8 by Merlin Carpenter


Favorite Satellite Fair: SCOPE Miami because the range of work by emerging, mid-career and established artists was impressive, not to mention all the Kohler fixtures in the temporary toilets and the fabulous Teasy Rider shuttle that got me there. A memorable moment was being told how sincere I looked by a gallerist who admitted it might have been the Corona talking. Art Miami was a second here, quite possibly thanks to the gorgeous Emily Eveleth.


Favorite Hotel Fair: Aqua Art on Collins because the pace was just right and because that’s where I set eyes on my favorite piece: Staircase by Kiersten Essenpreis at the Cinders Gallery. There was a great vibe as we went from room to room, taking in the art on the walls, in the bathrooms and laid out on the beds. It was relatively early in the show for most of us to still feel fresh. Pieces that made me laugh were by William Powhida, great send-ups of the art world and the week in Miami.



Sculpture by Michael Landy


Favorite people moments: Meeting Lorraine Peltz and her gallerist Gosia Koscielak at the Art Now fair after several e-mails; running into Maria Adelaida Lopez at Geisai after she sold one of the Dust houses we featured at Art MoCo; meeting Christopher Makos simply because I don’t know anyone else who knew Andy Warhol!


Favorite surprise: The Stefan Sagmeister installation at the Wolfsonian that was an installation made up of the martinis being served; the gorgeous pochoir exhibit upstairs and the exciting all-robotic interpretation of Ballet Mécanique by George Antheil and Fernand Léger (thank goodness they gave out earplugs!).



Stefan Sagmeister installation at the Wolfsonian.