Back from Art Basel Miami Beach

flight back from Miami. ©harlan erskine 2009

I'm back from Miami. I think this year's fairs were great lots of interesting art good opening around it and a remixed fair set up created a fresh year for looking art art in the balmy Miami weather.

I will be posting the images and art works that left an impression on me at the fair this week. But for now take a look at these post art fair reports:

Miami Herald writes about the fairs with a quirky "How much for that art?" video feature.
Basel '09: Less bling, more ka-ching

Another Miami Herald piece talks about sales rebounding. I'm quite fascinated with the economics of Art I wish NPR's Planet Money would do a story on the economics of the Art Market.
Sales rebound paints pretty picture at Art Basel

ARTINFO has the scoop on Kehinde Wiley's Michael Jackson painting.
Kehinde Wiley's Michael Jackson Commission Sells at Art Basel - ARTINFO.com

New York Mag's Vulture has a fun slide show talking about art that sold at the fairs. I find it amazing that the fairs are so large that I only say about half of the works in this slide show!
Art Basel: The Works That Sold — and Sparked Conversation

New York Mag's Vulture also has a piece on the top 10 parties and again I have to say I didn't know half of these were even happening. This list is particularly subjective since I would argue that some of the events I went to would have toped some of these. Fun list anyway.
The Worst Excesses of Art Basel 2009

NYPOST has a story about Sly Stallone's paintings at Art Basel. Right after I picked up my press pass from Art Basel Miami Beach's Media center I saw Sly getting out of his black SUV for a VIP preview of the fair. Now I know why he was there a day early.
Rocky hits the canvas

NY Times' The Moment Blog has a few cool videos highlighting various artist when came down to the fair.
Art Basel Miami 2009 | Aurel Schmidt Video
Art Basel Miami 2009 | Shepard Fairey Video

Art Basel Miami Beach 2009, Day 2

Here is what went down on the first big day of Art Basel Miami Beach. My day began with the opening of the main fair and ended with a bang O.H.W.O.W. and Max Fish in Miami.

The rush of people waiting to get into Art Basel Miami Beach's opening night vernassage.

Dieter Applet (made 1977, printed 2007) at Kicken Berlin in their collection "Ninety years of Bauhaus."

A huge Robert Longo forrest drawing at the Margo Leavin Gallery.

The irristable glow of a Dan Flavin at the Margo Leavin Gallery.

Roni Horn's "Suite #4," 1991-94 Suite of 4 offset lithographs at the Margo Leavin Gallery.

Ger van Elk's "The Co-Founder of the Word O.K.-Hollywood," 1971, Three color photographs at the Margo Leavin Gallery.

A huge Sterling Ruby peace "American Risk" 2009, dripping for your attention at Pace Wildenstein.

Evan Perry's warped life-like sculptures are always a crowd draw are on exhibit at the Sperone Waterstone.

Fantastic Obama Inauguration photos by Mauro Restiffe at Galeria Fortes Vilaca made you wander what era they were produced in.

The sad 1980's era bathrooms at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

"Welcom e Art Basel" announced the Days Inn on 20th and Collins Ave.

The other side said "Have a n ice day" like it always does.

The sculpture at Art Basel Miami Beach Oceanfront nights.

The entrance of the O.H.W.O.W. Gallery.

IT AIN'T FAIR 2009 at the O.H.W.O.W. Gallery.

IT AIN'T FAIR 2009 at the O.H.W.O.W. Gallery.

Aaron Young, "Locals Only," Burnt rubber and resin on glass panel, 5' x 7', 2009 at IT AIN'T FAIR 2009 at the O.H.W.O.W. Gallery.

IT AIN'T FAIR 2009 at the O.H.W.O.W. Gallery.

IT AIN'T FAIR 2009 at the O.H.W.O.W. Gallery.

IT AIN'T FAIR 2009 at the O.H.W.O.W. Gallery.

David Lynch and Danger Mouse project "Dark Night of the Soul" at the O.H.W.O.W. Gallery. The LED light above the photographs would light up when the music playing was arranged for that group of images.

David Lynch and Danger Mouse project "Dark Night of the Soul" at the O.H.W.O.W. Gallery.

Iggy Pop making an appearance at the David Lynch and Danger Mouse project "Dark Night of the Soul" at the O.H.W.O.W. Gallery.

The rooftop performance by French composer Koudlam above outdoor screening of Cyprien Gaillard's Crazy Horse accompanied by smoke and people waving flares at IT AIN'T FAIR 2009 at the O.H.W.O.W. Gallery.

an unannounced annonymous performance at IT AIN'T FAIR 2009 at the O.H.W.O.W. Gallery.

Funny storm troupers guarding(?) the Vagabond.

Max Fish invades the old PS 14 Space for the Fish's 20 year anniversary.

Looking toward the front of the Bar at Max Fish in Miami.

Looking toward the stage of the Bar at Max Fish in Miami.

New York graff artists gave the Miami bathrooms of the remade Max Fish the New York treatment.

more bathroom views at Max Fish.

One last bathroom views at Max Fish.

Freegums Sky's The Limit poster is installed across the street from the bar.

As I departed more posters were being installed.

Art Basel Miami Beach 2009, Day 1 - Friends With You Opening

I got into Miami yesterday afternoon under ideal flying conditions. Last night the Design District was buzzing with activity including the opening of the new Friends With You Boutique. Check out the pictures below.

For this year's Basel I will be blogging / twittering as the fair goes on. I will be posting the highlights of the events and the standout art works that surprise or titillate me. I will also be updating my event lists as I learn more about them. Please send me any events I should know about.