Throughout December 7th to 10th of 2017, art lovers and tourists across Miami and the world join to marvel at the work of artists at the premiere art event of the year, Miami Art Basel.
Miami Art Basel displays a collection of works from various artists and was held at the Red Dot tent due to the Miami Beach Convention Center being under renovation. Collections consisted of dozens of paintings, photographs, and sculptures.
Art Basel 2017 included two private showings the first two days. After that, the exhibit was open to the public. This year’s Art Basel was seen by around 55,000 people.
Artist Marc Lipp held a very popular exhibition at the event, his art consisting of famous stars. One of his most popular pieces was one of late actress, Audrey Hepburn, where he created a painting surrounding her character in the film classic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Other artists, such as Alfredo Sanchez, created works depicting one of the popular motifs at this year’s showing: images of women representing their different backgrounds. Art Basel is even a place where comical paintings depicting political controversy were displayed, causing conversation but attracting attendants.
Art Basel is a Berlin-based gallery that was founded in 1970 and since then has grown immensely. Art Basel Miami, however, began back in 2002 and since then has opened annually. The event once catered 160 galleries has now expanded to over 200, attracting more than 60,000 visitors every year with its exhibits presenting culture, thoughts, and meanings. The “masterpieces” of the artist portray their suffering or creativity through art.
This event doesn’t only attract Miami locals but as well as tourist and celebrities. People from across the world come to see the paintings and sculptures shipped in. Preparing for Art Basel itself is a work of art. The event is a major opportunity for start up artist across the globe to display and sell their works. Having only two days to ship the art, contact people to attend, and placing the works was no easy feat. Artist created exclusive pieces only for Art Basel, as for many it was their first showing event.
The event also brought immense amounts of recognition to the city of Miami itself.
“It’s made us, instead of being a sun and fun beach community with good weather, to be one of the top art communities in the world,” said Norman Braman to CBS Miami, Chairman of Art Basel Miami Beach.
