Though it may seem that Armory Week and Frieze Week get all the action, the reality is that there is never a dull moment in the New York art world. For one week each year, however, the focus turns to Miami, where Art Basel in Miami Beach anchors the art behemoth known as Miami Art Week. With all the art fairs, parties, and exhibition safely in the rear view mirror for another year, here’s a run down of some of the week’s highlights.
PAPER Magazine and H&M celebrate Alex Katz at the Miami Beach EDITION
Art Basel in Miami Beach often leads to strange bedfellows. Take, for instance, the artist Alex Katz, who unveiled his new line with hip clothing brand H&M, featuring womenswear, menswear, accessories, and home décor, with a party at the Miami Beach EDITION hosted by PAPER magazine on November 30.
The night included a performance by Nelly Furtado, and was attended by guestsincluding model Karolina Kurkova and artist Chloe Wise.
Nelly Furtado, Alex Katz, and Karolina Kurkova at PAPER magazine’s celebration of H&M and Alex Katz. Courtesy of BFA.
Nelly Furtado performs at PAPER magazine’s celebration of H&M and Alex Katz. Courtesy of BFA.
Chloe Wise at PAPER magazine’s celebration of H&M and Alex Katz. Courtesy of BFA.
Pérez Art Museum Miami Stewardship Dinner Hosted by Jorge M. Pérez at SLS Brickell
Billionaire art collector and entrepreneur Jorge Pérez held a a VIP dinner on November 30 honoring the supporters of the Pérez Art Museum Miami, which bears his name. Artist Julio Le Parc, whose exhibition at the museum was the talk of the town all week, was in attendance.
Alexa Wolman and Alison Palevsky at the Pérez Art Museum Miami Stewardship Dinner Hosted by Jorge M. Pérez. Courtesy of Pérez Art Museum Miami.
Jorge Pérez and Franklin Sirmans at the Pérez Art Museum Miami Stewardship Dinner Hosted by Jorge M. Pérez. Courtesy of Pérez Art Museum Miami.
Yamil, Julio Le Parc, and Yumiko Seki at the Pérez Art Museum Miami Stewardship Dinner Hosted by Jorge M. Pérez. Courtesy of Pérez Art Museum Miami.
Davidoff VIP Botanical Garden Cocktail Party
Just steps from the convention center on Art Basel in Miami Beach’s opening day, Davidoff hosted a relaxed cocktail event and the unveiling of BMW’s new Art Car, designed by artist John Baldessari.
Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” played as the curtains fell to reveal the sleek white vehicle, the latest in BMW’s fleet of “rolling sculptures.”
“I hope this car wins in Daytona,” Baldessari told the crowd just ahead of the unveiling. “I’ll be very happy.”
Guests at the Davidoff VIP Botanical Garden Cocktail Party. Courtesy of Davidoff.
John Baldessari at the Davidoff VIP Botanical Garden Cocktail Party. Courtesy of Davidoff.
RISD alumni reception with Cultured Magazine at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach
Alumni of the Rhode Island School of Design celebrated themselves during Miami Art Week with a special cocktail reception on November 30. University president Rosanne Somerson, the first alumna to lead the institution, addressed the crowd.
RISD alums Yvonne Force Villarreal and Farsad Labbauf at the RISD alumni reception. Courtesy of RISD/Jo Sittenfeld.
Jayda Knight, party host Gisela Lowenstein, RISD president Rosanne Somerson and Mayor Philip Levine at the RISD alumni reception. Courtesy of RISD/Jo Sittenfeld.
The crowd at the RISD alumni reception. Courtesy of RISD/Jo Sittenfeld.
Interview Magazine + Cadillac at MAPS Backlot, Wynwood
Shantell Martin did a live-painting session at this cocktail event where she was honored alongside Derrick Adams, Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic, and Ellington Robinson. The four artists are featured in the current issue of Interview.
Derrick Adams, Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic, Shantell Martin, and Ellington Robinson at Interview & Cadillac Celebrate Art of Daring. © Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty.
Shantell Martin at Interview & Cadillac Celebrate Art of Daring. © Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty.
Oceana Bal Harbour Unveiling
Art and real estate are intertwined in Miami, as seen at the December 2 opening of real estate developer Eduardo Costantini, new luxury residential development, Oceana Bal Harbour, where the launch festivities included the unveiling of Jeff Koons’s Seated Ballerina and Pluto and Proserpina. The lobbies also feature the works of Callum Innes, An Te Liu, Jorge Mendez Blake, Taryn Simon, Juan Usle, and Garth Weiser.
Eduardo Costantini and Jeff Koons. Courtesy of Oceana Bal Harbour.
Jeff Koons, Louise Neri, and Augustin Perez. Courtesy of Oceana Bal Harbour.
The Dolls performing. Courtesy of Oceana Bal Harbour.
Sun Xun’s “Reconstruction of the Universe” for the Audemars Piguet Art Commission
Actress Katie Holmes and tennis legend Serena Williams were down at the beach on November 29 to see “Reconstruction of the Universe,” Chinese artist Sun Xun’s Audemars Piguet Art Commission.
The following day, the site played host to Take-Two Interactive’s panel discussion “Open Worlds: Art in the Age of Interactivity.” Moderated by W Magazine arts & culture director, Diane Solway, and featuring fashion designer Virgil Abloh, contemporary artist Daniel Arsham, actress Rosario Dawson, and filmmaker Dan Trachtenberg, the discussion was followed up by yet another party.
Katie Holmes and Serena Williams at the unveiling of Sun Xun’s “Reconstruction of the Universe” for the Audemars Piguet Art Commission. Courtesy of Getty.
Sun Xun’s “Reconstruction of the Universe” for the Audemars Piguet Art Commission. Courtesy of Getty.
Emily Ratajkowski and Rosario Dawson attend the Miami Beach Kickoff Party at Audemars Piguet Art Commission “Reconstruction of the Universe” by Sun Xun. Courtesy of Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Take-Two Interactive.
Interview Magazine + Tiffany & Co. | Conversation & Cocktails Celebrating Paloma Picasso at 1 Hotel South Beach
Jewelry designer Paloma Picasso took center stage on November 29 in celebration of her 35 years with Tiffany & Co. at this poolside reception with DJ set by Zen Freeman.
Chris Bollen, Paloma Picasso, John Loring, and guest attend the conversation with Paloma Picasso hosted by Interview and Tiffany & Co. at 1 Hotel South Beach. Courtesy of Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images.
Kehinde Wiley’s Southern Fish Fry at Tropicale at the Miami Beach EDITION
As the weekend drew to an end on December 4, Kehinde Wiley hosted a fish fry at the EDITION, served up by the Matador Terrace’s Jeremy Ford, winner of the most recent season of Top Chef. Singer Lauryn Hill performed for the likes of Jeffrey Deitch, Brandon Thurman, Helen Toomer, and Tiana Webb-Evans.
Kehinde Wiley at Kehinde Wiley’s Southern Fish Fry. Courtesy of BFA.
Lauryn Hill performs at Kehinde Wiley’s Southern Fish Fry. Courtesy of BFA.
Chef Jeremy Ford at Kehinde Wiley’s Southern Fish Fry. Courtesy of BFA.