Art Basel Wrap Up

Yes, I'm exhausted from a week of art exhibitions, art openings, art parties and other various art related events for Art Basel Miami Beach. On Friday night I had planned on a light schedule of art events with only two parties planned. First I stopped by Barney's CO-OP for Red Carter's fashion party with artist Carlos Betancourt, whose art was used for the fabric design of a new bikini. I photographed Red Carter with his new bikini and sipped a non-alcoholic lemonade and left. Next stop was Anastasia the Great's art party at PROOF Ocean Drive. There Anastasia was holding court and being photographed in front of her art. I photographed the art diva but the crowd was small so I left looking for further adventures. Although I had hoped to have a light evening I still was ready for more so I stopped by the Wolfsonian Museum for their annual Art Basel Party. There was a sophisticated art crowd wandering through the museum but the fun part of the evening was the wacky off-beat performance by Youtube star rapper Leslie Hall. I was told Todd Oldham was to be the DJ but I didn't see him but I did see several guys who definitely were Todd Oldham groupies. On Saturday I started the day at 11am with the annual Art Basel Brunch at the Sagamore Hotel. There were many art stars milling about the pool and even some walking art (like a bald couple known as Eva & Adele who both sported matching pink dresses and purses). After Brunch we ventured downtown to Design Miami which was a beautiful and eclectic showcase of design including unusual items like an overpriced grandfather clock that came with a grandfather but didn't tell time and light fixtures that transformed into fans. Design Miami had a lovely VIP lounge that served beveages so I was able to have an afternoon cappucino before being entertained by the works of many talented designers. Audi, one of the major sponsors of Art Basel, had a display in the showroom and gave away big silver bags (not that I need another bag but they were big, silver and free). Luckily we made it to photo Miami before the torrential rain began. We were able to stroll through the space that once sold television and such to view interesting and even shocking photography. Outside we had no choice but to confront the heavy rain but the rain won. With only time to change, shower and download my morning photos, I was off to see the Audi pop-up gallery which was amazing but yet disturbing as well since Audi spent nearly ten million dollars on the Art Basel project and the beautiful temporary building (which we were told was coming down the next day). There they were also giving away nice bags but this time there was a catalogue for the show and the Rubell collection inside. Next stop was the World Erotic Art Museum for museum owner/curator Naomi Wilzig's 75th Birthday celebration. This wasn't an Art Basel event but it definitely was an art themed party with nude models (male & female) airbrushed as works of art and food for days. After stuffing my face with delicious food and taking lots of photos, we made our exit so we could celebrate another diva, Elaine Lancaster. Elaine was being featured at the Miami Art Space with an exhibition titled iMuse which was a collection of art with Elaine Lancaster as the subject. There were also exhibitions by many other artists in the space and performances. Of course Elaine attracts quite an interesting specturm of guests and they were all there to pay homage to the diva including artist/designer Christopher Ciccone (author of Life With My Sister Madonna), artist Aaron Powell, and photographer Joey Mugica. My group left and I stayed so I could go to the David LaChapelle party at The Raleigh Hotel with Elaine. There was a beautiful mob scene surrounding the famous pool of the Raleigh. Models, stylists, performers, and assorted beauties wandered about the New Year's Eve themed party that had large ice sculptures everywhere and giant David LaChappelle photos. There we ran into writer George Wayne of Vanity Fair who wanted to go out after the LaChapelle party ended so we took him to SCORE where we had more champagne. My night ended just before the bar closed at 5 am so I crashed in my bed with art inspired dreams. Since Sunday was the last day of Art Basel, I took the opportunity to take a last stroll among the Picassos, the Miros, the Matisses, the Warhols and all the other wonderful art before Art Basel leaves town once again. It was a great week of art and it will take me another week to document all the photos. PHOTOS: Nude dance at World Erotic Art Museum, Elaine Lancaster & George Wayne, Queen of Erotica Naomi with her King JC Harris.

Art Everywhere You Go

Yesterday my art experience started while I was compiling some photo galleries. I received an email that said "Free gift bag" so you know I was out the door in a flash. I just had to stop by the Surface Lounge (Surface Magazine) on the rooftop of the Gansevoort Hotel for my Art Basel gift bag. Apparently I was just one of very few who responded to the email so quickly and a good thing as there were only eight gift bags. I grabbed one, took a few photos and left. Last night my Art Basel journey took me downtown to Wynwood and the Miami Design District. The first stop was at the Wynwood Walls which was a street mural park with works by 15 internationally respected artists like pop artist Kenny Scharf, Stelios Faitakis from Greece and Os Gemeos (twin brothers) from Brazil. There I photographed racecar driver Helio Castroneves (who won Dancing With the Stars). After that we wandered in and out of the many galleries, viewing art, chatting with friends, and eating the snacks. We went to see Christopher Ciccone's exhibit at Avant Gallery but he had already left so I took photos of his work. We headed over to Dot 51 Gallery but it was closed but were welcomed by Mamuska at Mamuska's Art Cafe. We checked out the art and chatted with Mamuska who made us delicious pasta with salmon and white sauce. We wandered through a view more galleries including Eyes Wide Shut (lots of photography) then came back to the Beach. Because I've been out every night on art expeditions I must spend all day writing or maybe I should just take a nap as tonight is filled with more art events. There's three more days of Art Basel remaining. Until tomorrow. Photos: Art by Salustiano, Howard Srebnick & Helio Castroneves, Kenny and Scharf mural.

Walking for Art

Day 2 of Art Basel but day four with another full schedule of art events. On Tuesday night we started out on the Beach going to art parties at a couple of restaurants but they were duds so we headed downtown to the opening night of Art Miami. Of course we got lost. I always travel with people who have just as bad a sense of direction as I do. I can get lost walking around the block. Anyway, we lost our way to Art Miami but drove past Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, a lovely gallery with a backwards welcome sign in neon, so we stopped hoping someone there could give us directions to Art Miami. The gallery was filled with European art and artists, many who I photographed, so we stayed and had dinner. They had lots of "delish" little treats being passed about (crab cakes, chicken quesedillas, etc.) so we mingled and noshed. We did get directions to Art Miami and it was packed. The art was an eyefull and so were the crowds. Last night we (Harvey and entourage) headed to Vermissage (the opening night of Art Basel) but first stopped at the Cando Arts Coop where we saw the work of many local artists including Sid Daniels, Dena Stewart and Stewart Stewart. Our next stop was Vermissage where the crowd was almost as overwhelming as the art. Lots of gloriously breathtaking art and lots of beautiful and interesting people. There were so many people we decided to leave (I'll go back on Sunday and spend the day so I can really see the art.) for the party at the Bass Museum. I drank so many Cafe Bustelo canned coffees that I was ready to fly. So we flew out of there and went to the Ritz-Carlton for their wonderful Magical Mystery show but we got there too late and it was over. So we walked along the beach walkway back to Collins Park so a bite to eat before Art Performance. Ebony Bones performed at 10pm and she and her outrageous band were incredibly hot and fun. She ended her show with her hit single "Don't Fart on My Heart." My feet were so tired from all the walking but it was worth it for the visual stimulation. And Art Basel continues and tonight it's a walking tour of Wynwood. Photos: Amanda Lepore (exhibited at Art Basel), singer Ebony Bones and Michael Jackson on Horse (exhibited at Art Basel).

Art Basel Begins & Another Chapter

Art Basel Miami Beach hasn't officially begun but the parties and art-related events have. Last night it was a quick stop at Art Center of South Florida but they were still putting up art so we opted to go to the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens where there was another art event sponsored by the art publication IRREVERSIBLE. Local artists and art enthusiasts converged to check out the art and munch on the tasty cheese and blueberry blintzs. Next stop was the ECO ARTLAND 2009 event at the beautiful estate of Thomas Kramer that was produced by HOPE International. The ECO ARTLAND included a two-car collision art installation by the pool (no clue as to what that had to do with ec0-friendly art), nature-themed art, eco friendly beverages and bicycles. There was also an auction that benefited the charity Take Stock in Children. Most parties at Thomas Kramer's mansion are entertaining and this one didn't disappoint. Today I'm trying to write a chapter (for the book that's not mine) before I have to go get my Art Basel press credentials. The events begin tonight at 6 pm and don't stop until Monday. Miami is filled with more art than the eye can see. Photos: Art at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens and Thomas Kramer & Hope Gainer at ECO ARTLAND 2009.