Art World Sexy, Powerful, and Intimidating List: People You Need to Network With in Miami

Art Basel in Miami is a perfect time to do a little friend-raising. Make it count.

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Sexy: Olympia Scarry
Scarry is one artist you'll never find in paint-splattered overalls (unless of course they're Chanel).
Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Patrick McMullan
Powerful: Mitchell Rales
A major force in the DC art scene, Rales's Glenstone Museum actually requires reservations.
Sexy: Emily Rales
In addition to being stunning, Rales is an accomplished curator and collector, alongside her husband Mitchell.
Photo: Shaun Mader/Patrick McMullan
Intimidating: Kathy Grayson
Maybe it's her ever-changing hair colors or her position at The Hole, one of New York's hippest galleries, but Grayson definitely seems like a cool one.
Photo: Matthew Shrier
larry-gagosian-fire
Larry Gagosian. Photo: Patrick McMullan.
Powerful: Shirin Neshat
Neshat is one of the most influential artists working today, and what's better, her work addresses real social issues.
Photo: Patrick McMullan
Sexy: Peter Marino
We imagine all that leather might get hot in the Miami sun, but the architect hasn't been deterred from donning his provocative pieces in past years.
Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Patrick McMullan
Powerful: Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard
As the CEO of Davidoff, one of Basel's biggest sponsors, he's got unfettered access to every aspect of the fair, and the top-shelf cigars to match.
Thaddaeus Ropac.
Photo: Patrick McMullan
Powerful: Astrid Hill
In addition to being an artnet News columnist, Hill is an art adviser who will likely be working with some very exciting collectors throughout the fair.
Photo: Flickr/Guggenheim Museum
Sexy: Derek Blasberg
The fashion editor is often seen partying with models, so even if he's not your type, chances are he knows someone who definitely is.
Photo: Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan
Intimidating: Richard Armstrong
We wouldn't want to mess with the director of the Guggenheim. But we would want to get his business card.
Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Patrick McMullan
Sexy: Lucien Smith
As hot young artists go, Smith is at the top of the heap. And we're not just talking auction sales .
Photo: Grace La Doja
Sexy: Massimiliano Gioni
The New Museum director of exhibitions has both a great smile and an epic name.
Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Patrick McMullan
Intimidating: Marina Abramović
That gaze! Enough said.
Photo: Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan
Sexy: Cory Arcangel
The Brooklyn-based artist has skills in drawing, music, video, and performance, as well as an awesome hipster beard.
Photo: Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan
Peter Brant. Courtesy of J. Grassi/Patrick McMullan
Sexy: Michael and Seren Shvo
The Shvo's aren't afraid to put it all out there. And when in Miami, you shouldn't be either.
Photo: Owen Hoffmann/Patrick McMullan
Intimidating: Allegra LaViola and Meredith Rosen
The duo behind Sargent's Daughters, one of New York's most exciting galleries, are a pair to be reckoned with.
Photo courtesy Sargent's Daughters
Powerful: Bernard Arnault
The CEO of LVMH is definitely a good person to know if you appreciate the finer things in life.
Photo: Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan
Intimidating: Jeanne Greenberg-Rohatyn
As a gallerist, collector, reality TV juror, and one of artnet News' 100 Most Powerful Women in the Art World, Greenberg-Rohatyn practically runs the whole scene.
Photo: Shaun Mader/Patrick McMullan
Powerful: David Zwirner
Attention: aspiring artists! Make friends with Zwirner and you could be the next Oscar Murillo (just no more chocolate factories, please).
Photo: Stefan Falke
Powerful: Mera Rubell
Unlike all the New Yorkers on this list, Rubell knows Miami like the palm of her own hand. Oh, and her Miami-based collection is one of the most extensive in America.
Photo: Getty
Sexy: Ambra Medda
The Design Miami cofounder could easily have been a model instead.
Photo: J Grassi/Patrick McMullan
Intimidating: Beth Rudin DeWoody
As one of New York's most ubiquitous collectors and patrons, she is a force.
Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Patrick McMullan
Sexy: Alexander Gilkes and Misha Nonoo
The Paddle8 cofounder and his fashion designer wife (who recently did a collab with Dustin Yellin) are definitely easy on the eyes.
Photo: Clint Spaulding/Patrick McMullan
Sexy: Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld
If you're looking to score an invite to Basel's many fashion parties, this It Boy may be your ticket.
A. De Vos/Patrick McMullan
Intimidating: Doreen Remen, Yvonne Force Villareal
The ultra-stylish team behind the Art Production Fund run the social scene wherever they go.
Photo: Patrick McMullan

Art Basel in Miami Beach isn’t just about sun, fun, and pricey works of art. Okay, it’s mostly about that, but it’s also never a bad idea to leave with some new business cards in hand (they’ll add some substance and possibly even a purpose to your massive champagne hangover). With that in mind, we bring you our “Art World Sexy, Powerful, and Intimidating List”, which is basically a list of sexy, powerful, and intimidating people to get to know during fair week in Miami.

Hoping to score a golden ticket to the hottest party of the evening? Look to stylish It Boys like Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld and Derek Blasberg, or befriend a hot young artist like Lucien Smith or Olympia Scarry. If you want to hang with the power crowd, we recommend getting in good with someone like Mera Rubell, Peter Brant, or Bernard Arnault. And if you’re willing to face your fears and speak to someone truly intimidating, there is nobody better than the master of the gaze herself, Marina Abramović. She’s as pale and blank as a marble sculpture but, hey, that’s her signature.

The art world’s annual week of sun-drenched debauchery and excess is upon us, so study up. And if you do manage to meet some of the boldface names on this list, you must tell us—what kind of business card do you have when you’re a person who needs absolutely no introduction?

 

 

Go to artnet News’s Art Basel in Miami page for the latest coverage, including:

10 Ridiculous But True Rules For Navigating Art Basel in Miami Beach

9 Art World Pick-Up Lines Guaranteed (NOT) To Work At Art Basel in Miami Beach

15 Art Basel in Miami Beach Parties You’ll Never Get Into


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