Design District or Madison Avenue?

VH1/Scope Party

Wow! Last night the Design District looked like Madison Avenue. The sidewalks were overflowing with people on their way to or from Prada, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Y-3, Celine, or Marni. We were primed for Art Basel events but were tempted by the many parties in the shops in The District so we stopped in Marni, a designer boutique offering fashions bearing the label Marni. While the ladies with me were fashionistas and lovers of fashion the $1,500 price tag for a simple halter dress sent us running out the door. More window shopping. The Design District is the home of many high end shops, not all fashion, including design boutiques like Arbitare, Armani/Casa, Holly Hunt, Jonathan Adler, Luminare Lab, Ornare, and Oggetta, and many were hosting parties featuring artists and DJs, all with VIP guest lists. The De la Cruz Collection, listed by Sotheby's as one of three must-see collections in Miami during Basel, was having their party last night so there was a bit of buzz about their party. While we were seduced by the many parties in The District we continued to our destination, The VH1/Scope party. Held in the giant tent next to Scope, this party was all about the music. Five up and coming performing artists were being showcased and the crowd was mostly a music industry crowd. The Vietnamese cuisine was tasty, I think I would have eaten anything with peanut sauce on it at that point. Walking by designer shops makes me hungry.

Wandering through the Design District we saw parties with lavish food buffets and a variety of music. The film crews were out in full force and we had trouble staying on course. We stopped into The Stage, a great music venue, for a moment to see what was happening. Music, of course. Outside a group of muralists were spray painting a new mural or series of murals on the side of The Stage's building. It's amazing what they can do with spray paint.

The Vizcaya Museum & Gardens were beautiful as ever. This party was a welcome escape from the Art Basel madness. Classical music played in the garden as champagne and lite-bites were served. The conversation was music, particularly Beethoven, even though this was a VIP Art Basel event. A film was screened "The Light Club" about a secret room at Vizcaya. Afterwards we toured the Vizcaya home and for the first time I saw where the owner James Deering slept. My favorite room was the ornately decorated music room with a gorgeous grand piano and harp. What opulence! Could I live in a place like that? Only in my dreams. Another beautiful night in Miami. 

Vernissage & Pop Up Performances

Sculpture - Looks Real but it's not

After day three of Art Week I feel I have already overdosed on art yet there are four more days of art openings, parties, and events to go. I remembered the massive crowds for Vernissage last year and the long wait to enter. This year I arrived early during the VIP and Press viewing so I was able to wander among the art calmly. And there was a lot of art see as 257 international galleries had all brought some of their best pieces to the show. And they are here to sell. During the VIP preview, there were collectors bidding and writing notes, conversing with their wives or partners, and rushing from one exhibit to another searching out the art. While I was enjoying the incredible art they were shopping.

Money

While I was admiring the work of Picasso, Miro, Warhol, DeKooning, and countless other artists I had never heard of, gallery owners and dealers were sitting at tables selling millions of dollars of art. Without such a grandiose art budget I window shopped. While taking shots of my favorite art pieces I also admired the walking art. There was such a colorful walking parade of people that it was often hard to think about art. There were people who dressed to impress wearing designer duds and colorful jackets bought just for Basel. There were those dressed in costumes, or possibly their art wear. There were the serious art people who traveled en masse and discussed the art as they viewed it. There were also the groups that wandered through the halls like they had somewhere to go without ever stopping to look at art at all. And there were those who were only looking at the people. And then there was me, trying not to get caught staring.

Robert Mapplethorpe

Photographer Patrick McMullan ran through the crowd, quite possibly, I thought, running to a photo op however he did not have a camera. Rapper Pharrell Williams, once again with his model girlfriend, was with a larger group this time and attracted even a larger group of spectators. I tried to concentrate on the art and I wandered through Hall D until I felt I had seen almost everything. I stopped and chatted with friends who were as overwhelmed as I and could barely remember the art they had just viewed. The Art Basel experience is amazing and baffling at the same time. With massive amounts of great art it is so hard to truly appreciate it all so I feel fortunate that I'm able to photograph the art and review my favorites over and over. One favorite installation, a favorite of anyone I'm sure without an art budget, was the artist that had his art reprinted on giant pads, like a notepad so you could tear on an image to keep. I took several so I did leave Art Basel with works of art. Not original paintings but art none the less. 

The Deal

When the doors officially opened to let in the masses I escaped and went home to regroup before the rest of the evening which included performances in front of The Bass Museum and The Pop Up Piano Party at The Perry Hotel.

Musical Performance by Alicia Hall Moran

The Bass Museum had set up a stage for Art in the Garden, a series of musical performances that included Jason and Alicia Hall Moran with Brandon Ross (Alicia was a wonderful singer who danced and rolled on the tiles during her performance.) The group My Barbarian presented a piece called "Broke People's Baroque Peoples' Theater", a singing performance playfully engaging in questions and then passing the microphone to the audience allowing them to make predictions of the future. One audience member took the opportunity to do a commercial for her new cheese business and asked everyone to friend her on Facebook. Besides the stage and performance space, Collins Park had been transformed into a gallery of giant sculptures including two billboards by Gary Simmons (spelling out the words "I wish it could be morning all day long"), two seated men on pedestals that change color, and a big white tree with no branches. One installation, set on the grass by Collins Avenue for all those driving by to enjoy, was a sculpture of a melting snowman. 

 Yuna

The Pop Up Piano Party at The Perry Hotel was a great break from viewing art. If you could make your way through the enthusiastic crowd that filled the ballroom you were able to see the 8 artfully decorated pianos on display before being placed in strategic spots all over Miami. The Friends of the New World Symphony, one of the sponsors of the event, joined in the festivities by bringing some incredibly talented performers like Yuna who wowed the crowd. All the ingredients for a great party were present, great cocktails, delicious food, hot music, and a beautiful crowd that included Commissioner Michael Gongora, Beau Beasley, Bibi Andrade, Harvey Burstein, Luis Iglesias, Dr. Ivan Rusilko, and singer Cat Shell. It was a complete night made even sweeter by the buffet of chocolate delights served at the end of the evening. Thanks to the Friends of the New World Symphony for such a great event.

Butterfly Pop Up Piano

DesignMiami Dazzles

 Line waiting to enter DesignMiami

Last night the Vernissage for DesignMiami was stylishly packed with a beautiful and smartly-dressed crowd, even the Miami locals that I saw had dressed for the occasion. Champagne flowed freely as the crowd ooed and awed at the gorgeous, innovative designs while stealing glances at the crowd. The Audi installation was a draw, or was it the champagne bar behind the R18 race car that inspired the R18 Ultra Chair on display?

 La Mans winning R18 race car

DesignMiami usually impresses, at least me if no one else, and I take great pleasure roaming through the exhibits, sitting on newly designed chairs, asking about lighting that I would never buy but enjoy none the less, and wondering where all those interesting people came from and if they always dress that way. Last night, one lady seemed out of place dressed in an over the top cocktail dress with feathers but she may have been dressed for another party. Someone once said, dress like you're going somewhere better, this lady did not fit that description. For the most part I felt like a kid wandering through a wonderland of toys and unlike the art which hangs in Art Basel and the tents of the Art Fairs, most everything here has a use, or so the design reps proudly stated. Uniquely designed chairs, lighting, outrageous jewelry, unfunctional shelves, stairs to nowhere, and colorful tables. Yes, there was even a table designed like the United States with the letters to the word INDEPENDENCE as the legs.

 INDEPENDENCE Table

While I enjoyed looking at the Swarovski Crystal house, I could only imagine it as a playhouse for a little girl who would never be allowed to play in it. When I saw the rapper Pharrell and his beautiful model girlfriend, Helen Lasichanh, I thought maybe that Crystal house might find a buyer after all. Finally, after consuming my champagne limit, I gathered up a stack of free art magazines and filled my free Audi tote bag and headed out into the night. Outside the line to enter went around the block which made my experience much richer since I arrived before the line. Another beautiful night in Miami.  

 Below is a Bubble chair presented by INDUSTRY (very comfortable)

UNTITLED, A GIANT DOG AND HELMUT NEWTON

 Art lovers mingling at UNTITLED

On Monday night before the official opening of Art Basel Miami Beach crowds of art lovers were already lining up for the first art fair opening.  UNTITLED, the new art fair set on the sands of Miami Beach, had a continuous line of people trailing from Ocean Drive to tent. While the fair was filled with modern artwork from galleries like the New York gallery Art in General and Chicago's Andrew Rafacz, for the most part the people attending were more interesting than the art displayed. The colorful crowd of artists, collectors, and art lovers hoping to get a jump on Art Basel celebrations included photographer Patrick McMullan, billionaire Jorge Perez (who donated $35 million to the Miami Art Museum), commissioner Michael Gongora, Brian Gorman (Lords Hotel), James Davis (Elaine Lancaster from Real Housewives of Miami), and Dr. Julio Gallo (Miami Institute for Age Management and Intervention) and  Dr Ivan Rusilko. The crowd attending the UNTITLED opening mingled and schmoozed, almost unaware of the art exhibited and the long line waiting outside for entrance. 

 Artist Desi Santiago at Lords Hotel

On the way to the Helmut Newton exhibition at WEAM (World Erotic Art Museum), we stopped at Lords Hotel to meet Desi Santiago, the artist who created The Black Lords, the giant dog installation covering the hotel. On the hotel's porch guests are invited to insert a question and stand on a podium to accept the answer from the giant dog. The answer comes from the mouth of the inflated dog with the aid of recordings, lights and smoke. Here's a tip: If you don't get the answer you want, keep selecting squares on the podium until you get your preferred response. 

 Naomi Welzig showing a Helmut Newton photograph in her permanent collection

The crowd at WEAM was welcomed by Naomi Welzig, owner and curator of the museum, who told us that the curator for the Helmut Newton exhibition was supposed to have flown in for the opening but got sick minutes before he was to board his plane. Nonetheless, the crowd was treated to cocktails made from  LUST vodka and  made-to-order crepes before viewing the Newton photographs. Helmut Schuster, Art Director of WEAM, spoke to the crowd sharing the story of Yva (Elsie Neulander Simon), the German photographer who taught the art of photography to a 16-year old Helmut Neustädter, later to become the famed photographer Helmut Newton. After WEAM we rushed to the James Royal Palm for the UNTITLED after-party but alas, the party had run out of liquor and food so the guests were leaving. The streets were filled with out-of-town visitors all rushing to parties or destinations unknown, trying to fit into the early madness known as Art Week, just another reason that I feel lucky to be a local. 

Rafacz (Chicago)

Be Kind To The Art

Art Basel seems to be the main topic of conversation, live and texts, here in Miami. People are sharing their party lists making sure they have invites to all the best happenings during Art Week. Art has already been installed at galleries, the tents, and many public places.  While most art is kept under lock and key, public art has been put to the test in years past. In 2010, 45 big pink snails  were displayed all over Miami to the delight of art lovers however a few were vandalized and one was thrown into the Biscayne Bay. Last night, days before Art Basel Miami Beach officially opens there has already been a casualty. The art work of Havi Schanz has been vandalized. Someone painted blood red tears on his Marilyn Monroe/James Dean installation located on 13th & Collins Avenue in Miami Beach. Havi says, "I believe this attack on a piece of art is not an affront to a personal artist, rather an attack on art itself. I'm afraid for all art works in town this week." Please keep your eyes out for art vandalism and be kind to the art. Art Basel Miami Beach is an event to be celebrated not vandalized.

As usual there are so many events scheduled it is an impossibility to attend all. Hopefully all events will be photographed so at least we can enjoy the images later. Here are a few events to start your week. Enjoy.

Monday night art happenings:

Helmut Newton Photography Exhibit opens tonight at WEAM (World Erotic Art Museum).
9 p.m. 1205 Washington Ave.

Untitled Art Fair
From December 5 through 9, 2012.
12th Street and Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139
www.art-untitled.com
Monday Dec 3rd
VIP Private Preview & Vernissage
First Look 6-9pm













Naked Art Basel: Sagamore Hotel’s Exhibit Strips Convolution, Exposes Raw & Pure Display

Monday-Sunday
Sagamore Hotel
1671 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
www.sagamorehotel.com.

Perrier Presents The Black Lords by Desi Santiago at Lords South Beach 12/3/12-12/9/12

Perrier® Presents: The Black Lords by Desi Santiago
A BOFFO project, Miami, Florida
December 3rd- 9th, 2012, 11am-2am
Lords South Beach
1120 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida
www.lordssouthbeach.com

De Fabulous Beauty & Fashion Event with a Cause for World AIDS Day

Last night the Kyma Lounge at Epic Hotel was filled with fashionistas, socialites, models, designers, press, and supporters for the De Fashion Beauty & Fashion Event with a Cause for World AIDS Day. It was indeed an evening of fashion, mingling, cocktails, bidding, schmoozing, and posing for the cameras as the beautiful people paraded before and after the models made their appearances on the runway. Fashion designers Josette Redwolf and Lucia Craciun shared their beautiful fashions for the crowd of eager fashionistas. Dr. Ivan Rusilko shared emcee duties with Miss South Florida USA as they announced the events of the evening and finally the raffle winners. The event was organized by many but the man behind it all was Edward J. Oberle Lopez. Hosts for the event, and there were so many some may go uncredited, include Dr. Ken Wilcox, Rick RickyRicardo Mia, Joey Mugica-The Color Queen, Herb Sosa, and Ailyn Diaz. Among the gorgeous crowd seen at this event were Erin Mia Milchman, Elsie Peralta, Wes Lim, photographer Henry Perez, James Echols & Annette Peikert (Soul of Miami), Tanya Marie, Topaz Chanteuse, David Kessler, artist Marcelo Holzinger, Monica Lugan, and Heather Davis.

Edward J. Oberle Lopez & Dr. Ken Wilcox

Designer Josette Redwolf and her models

On the runway

Joey Mugica - The Color Queen and Monica Lugan.

Painting the Town - Art Basel

They're painting the town and starting with an art installation at Lord's Hotel. Check out the larger-than-life 60-foot installation by visual artist Desi Santiago that has transformed the hotel into a giant dog named Gypsy. Yes, the Art Basel Miami Beach madness has started. While the official events don't begin until Thursday, the parties and satellite Art Fairs will be opening pre-Basel. On Monday you can stop by Lords and see The Black Lords, the art project by Santiago and get free fortunes. That night at WEAM (World Erotic Art Museum) there's an opening for the new Helmut Newton exhibition. There will also be a preview of the new Art Fair, UNTITLED, located in the tent on the Beach at 11th & Ocean. Schedule well as there's a lot to do and see in the coming week. I'll be blogging daily with updates. 

If you're trying to get in the holiday spirit or just want to see a wonderfully fun Christmas play, may I suggest NUTCRACKER, not the ballet but the play from the same Chicago theatre company that brought HOUDINI to the Arsht. NUTCRACKER is a joyous romp of emotions that is packed with enough Christmas joy and sentiment to ignite anyone's spirit. Snow, Christmas trees, holiday cookies, toys that come to life, a loving family, and a little magic combine to make this a delightful evening of theatre for the entire family. NUTCRACKER runs at the Arsht Center in downtown Miami until the end of December. 

Remember, we'll still working to create an AIDS free generation. Today is World AIDS Day. Check out the facts: http://www.worldaidsday.org/.