Torrential rains made getting out an about Miami last night a true adventure for those in town for Art Basel in Miami Beach, but the storm seemed almost fitting at the Water For People benefit auction hosted by Absolut Elyx, Sean Kelly Gallery and Paddle8 at the Delano South Beach hotel.

An Antony Gormley sculpture was donated for the occasion, which benefits the nonprofit committed to improving access to water in developing areas.

Heavy rain in Miami.
Photo: @losangelesconfidential via Instagram.

The Gormley work may or may not have been on view during the party—running quickly through the Delano’s backyard to the covered area at the back in a somewhat-futile effort to stay dry, artnet News completely forgot to look for any art. There was intense flooding, leaving guests crammed into one small tent.

Given the chaos, it was a challenge to hear what was going on during the speeches. We think it was gallerist Sean Kelly who made a humorous remark about how they had done a rain dance in honor of Water For People, but had obviously “prayed a bit too hard.”

Wet floors were an understatement at the Absolut Elyx and Water For People Art Basel benefit at Delano South Beach.
Photo: © Patrick McMullan.

The evening also included performances from Ellinor Miranda Salome Olovsdotter, a Swedish pop star known as Elliphant, as well as DJ Jasmine Solano.

Leaving the party, we saw several barefoot gentlemen who had opted to carry their shoes rather than trek through the massive puddles in their expensive footwear. A woman nearby was carrying her friend on her back as the rain-spattered duo attempted to cross the flooded street outside the hotel.

Partyhopping became an exercise in wading in Miami last night. Photo: @joeldanielsz, via Instagram.

The Delano wasn’t the only space affected by the inclement weather, with guests also forced to squeeze inside at events held at the Setai (a celebration of Turkish art and culture hosted by the Art Law Group of Herrick, Feinstein) and the new Nautilus (a “late night Basel celebration” presented by Herald St., Gavin Brown, Sadie Coles, the Modern Institute and Mendes Wood DM Galleries), where hotel employees were handing out massive umbrellas to party attendees.

The party raged on unabated however, in the basement at the Miami Beach EDITION hotel at the HORSE MEAT DISCO party, hosted by George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg, where crowds rocked out to disco into the wee hours of the morning.

#YPDisco2015 in the Basement at the Miami Beach Edition.
Photo: courtesy BFA.