25 Things to See and Do in Miami Beyond Art Basel

Here's where to go between the fairs.

Romero Britto, Kisses Courtesy the artist.

With the annual Art Basel in Miami Beach fair fast approaching, artnet News editors’ email inboxes are overflowing with details about every imaginable type of event—brunches, lunches, dinners, cocktail parties, museum show openings, book signings, public art unveilings, performances—and we haven’t even gotten to the main event yet.

Art Basel in Miami Beach opens to VIPs at the Miami Beach Convention Center on Wednesday, November 30, but the fast and furious events schedule is already in full swing by Monday, November 28, and continues throughout the week.

Mindful that it’s impossible to fit it all—or even a fraction of it all—into your schedule, artnet News has rounded up some of our top picks for what to see and do while you’re in town.

Julio Le Parc, <i>Sphère rouge (Red Sphere) (2001). Courtesy the artist Julio Le Parc © 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris Photo: André Morin

Julio Le Parc, Sphère rouge (Red Sphere) (2001). Courtesy the artist. Julio Le Parc © 2016 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris. Photo: André Morin

1. The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) 
“Julio Le Parc: Form into Action,” was curated by top collector and tastemaker Estrellita B. Brodsky and is a must-see highlight of the Miami museum circuit for this year’s Art Basel season.

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Closed Wednesday. 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami.

2. The Bakehouse Art Complex
The Bakehouse Art Complex, an incubator for artistic creativity, has been in Wynwood since 1986, long before it became the art hotspot it is now. Shows on view during Art Basel include “Autopia: Road Trip To Cold War,” and “Aparna Jayakumar: Goodbye Padmimi”

Opening reception for both shows, November 27th, 7 p.m.–9 p.m.  561 NW 32nd Street, Miami

Courtesy Faena Art

Courtesy Faena Art

3. “Tide by Side” at the launch of FAENA ART
The eagerly awaited Faena Art, described as “an interdisciplinary non-profit that acts as both a catalyst and a platform,” is finally here. Ximena Caminos and Alan Faena are kicking off Miami Art Week with a carnival-style parade and public performance titled “Tide by Side.” Artistic director Claire Tancons, musical director Arto Lindsay, architectural director Gia Wolff will lead artists and performers including Los Carpinteros, Marinella Senatore, Miralda, Ernesto Neto, Carlos Betancourt, and the Miami Gay Men’s Chorus.

November 27, 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. at Collins Avenue between 32nd and 36th Street, Miami Beach

Rendering of Sun Xun's installation for Audemars Piguet art commission. ©Aaudemars Piguet

Rendering of Sun Xun’s installation for Audemars Piguet art commission. ©Aaudemars Piguet

4. Audemars Piguet unveils Reconstruction of the Universe, commissioned from Sun Xun
Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet will celebrate Reconstruction of the Universe, a major new immersive artwork commissioned from Chinese artist Sun Xun for the second Audemars Piguet Art Commission. The large-scale installation—which spans a city block on the Miami Beach oceanfront—is a completely immersive work of art, stimulating viewers’ senses with 2-D and 3-D animation, traditional scroll paintings, ink drawings, sound, various architectural and design elements, all of which will be included in a massive pavilion made of curved bamboo.
December 1-3, 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., Miami Beach Oceanfront, between 21st and 22nd Streets

 

Thomas Bayrle, <i>Belgien (Belgium)</i> (1985). Photo by Wolfgang Günzel. Private collection. Courtesy ICA Miami.

Thomas Bayrle, Belgien (Belgium) (1985). Photo by Wolfgang Günzel. Private collection. Courtesy ICA Miami.

5. “Thomas Bayrle” at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami
Pioneering German artist Thomas Bayrle presents more than 150 works from the 1960s to today at his the first American museum solo show. Don’t miss the monumental, site-specific commission Wire Madonna, Bayrle’s first representation of the Virgin Mary, and at 33 feet tall, first large-scale steel sculpture.
 VIP preview November 29, 5:00–7:00 p.m.4040 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Design District

Young Arts Winners studio visit with master teacher José Parlá during Young Arts New York ©Holly Fischer

Young Arts Winners studio visit with master teacher José Parlá during Young Arts New York ©Holly Fischer

6. “When We Were Young” and “Roots” at the YoungArts Gallery and Jewel Box 
New works from National YoungArts Foundation Visual Arts alumni such as Amy Reid (2005), Annie Blazejack (2005), Cara Levine (2002), and Laini Nemett (2002) are paired with pieces from JPMorgan Chase Art Collection in “When We Were Young.” At the Jewel Box, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents a site-specific solo exhibition by Brooklyn-based artist José Parlá, curated by SCAD.

November 29 5:00 p.m. 2100 Biscayne Blvd, Miami

7. Art Basel Public at Collins Park 
This year’s Public sector features 20 artists and a special David Bowie tribute.

November 30 8:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Collins Park, 2100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach

Courtesy Perrier-Jouë

Courtesy Perrier-Jouët

8. L’Eden by Perrier-Jouet at Casa Claridge‘s
An oasis of an art installation from San Francisco-based designer Andrew Kudless and Perrier-Jouët, a DesignMiami partner, L’Eden will feature a four-part installation designed to engage all the senses. Nightclub owner Simon Hammerstein, of the infamous the Box in New York, will help run the show. One of the touted highlights is “a first of its kind 3-D printed ice bucket crafted using powder from Chardonnay grape skins.”

November 29–December 1 at Casa Claridge’s at Faena District, 3500 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

Bill Viola, <i>Inverted Birth</i> Courtesy Mana Common.

Bill Viola, Inverted Birth Courtesy Mana Common.

9. Mana Common
Mana Common holds its third edition of programming during Miami Art Week, at its  30-acre campus in the Wynwood arts district. This year, the focus is the major role that art plays in innovation: not only in the humanities, but also in the realms of science, technology, engineering, and medicine. At an invitation only VIP opening on November 29, Mana will present “Viola Meets Mozart” an exclusive live event with Viola’s Inverted Birth accompanied by the PhilarMIA Orchestra performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5.

November 30, 12–8 p.m. at Mana Wynwood Convention Center 2217 NW 5th Avenue, Miami

© 2016, ProLitteris, Zurich Alex Katz, Good Morning I, 1974

© 2016, ProLitteris, Zurich
Alex Katz, Good Morning I, 1974

10. Book Launch for UBS Art Collection: To Art its Freedom at the UBS Lounge at Art Basel in Miami Beach
Mary Rozell, global head UBS Art Collection, has recounted the history of the financial services firm’s art collection in a 274-page book. Celebrate its release at a breakfast in the UBS lounge at the fair, held immediately after the main Art Basel press conference.

November 30, 10:15–11:00 a.m. Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach

 

Anna Maria Maiolino, <i>A Espera</i> (1967/2000). Courtesy Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation

Anna Maria Maiolino, A Espera (1967/2000). Courtesy Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation

 

11. “Toda Percepción es una Interpretación: You Are Part Of It” at CIFO Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation
The show, curated by Eugenio Valdés Figueroa and Katrin Steffe, presents works from the Ella Fontanals-Cisneros Collection. It will feature an installation by Argentine-born artist Liliana Porter, a recreation of Wrinkle Environment which is a site-specific and interactive installation that was originally done at the Museo de Bellas Artes in Caracas.

November 30, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. at CIFO Art Space, Miami,  1018 North Miami Avenue, Miami

Ugo Rondinone, Miami Mountain (2016). Photo Matt Newlson, courtesy of the artist and The Bass, Miami Beach.

Ugo Rondinone, Miami Mountain (2016). Photo Matt Newlson, courtesy of the artist and The Bass, Miami Beach.

12. Ugo Rondinone’s Miami Mountain
The Bass may have pushed back it’s reopening until after Miami Art Week, but the museum is still likely to make a splash in 2016 with the official unveiling celebration for its newly-acquired and Instagram-friendly commission, Ugo Rondinone’s Miami Mountain.

November 30, 6:00–8:00 p.m. Collins Park, 2100 Collins Ave, Miami Beach

13. “Soundclash” with Nik Nowak at Gramps
Sennheiser is hosting a unique “sound clash” experience with German sound artist Nik Nowak and his Soundpanzer tank) and Miami Bass legend Neil Case (aka Bass Mekanik). This will take place at Gramps – the famous venue in Miami’s Wynwood district. Nowak is collaborating with Sennheiser through its Future Audio Artists Program, creating compelling new projects that fuse art and audio.

November 30, 5:00 p.m. Gramps, 176 NW 24th Street, Miami

Contemporary American artist John Baldessari unveils the design study for 19th BMW Art Car at his California studio. The full-scale version of Baldessari’s work will be unveiled at Art Basel Miami Beach on November 30, 2016. Courtesy of John Baldessari

John Baldessari unveils the design study for 19th BMW Art Car at his California studio. The full-scale version of Baldessari’s work will be unveiled at Art Basel Miami Beach on November 30. Courtesy of John Baldessari

14. Unveiling of John Baldessari’s BMW Art Car
The latest artist (after such greats as Alexander Calder, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, David Hockney, and Jeff Koons) to design a BMW Art Car, John Baldessari, unveils his creation at this invitation only event.

November 30, 7:30 p.m., Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Dr, Miami Beach

Installation view of Janis Kounelllis <i>Untitled</i> at the Margulies Warehouse. Photo by Marilyn Loddi. Courtesy of Margulies Warehouse.

Installation view of Janis Kounelllis Untitled (1985–87) at the Warehouse. Photo by Marilyn Loddi. Courtesy of The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse.

15. Breakfast at Margulies Collection at the Warehouse
On view are “Jannis Kounellis, Paintings 1983 – 2012,” “Jason Schmidt, New Photography,” and a recent addition of work by Anselm Kiefer to the collection.

November 30–Friday December 2, 9:00 a.m. onwards at 591 NW 27th Street, Miami

For Wet Steps, Cuban and American artists, participating in El Acercamiento/The Approach, gathered on the Cuban shore to look towards Miami in 2016. Artist: Aissa Santizo. Photo: Pablo Bordon. Courtesy of CalArts.

For Wet Steps, Cuban and American artists, participating in El Acercamiento/The Approach, gathered on the Cuban shore to look towards Miami in 2016. Artist: Aissa Santizo. Photo: Pablo Bordon. Courtesy of CalArts.

16. El Acercamiento/The Approach at Centro Cultural España
Following successful exhibitions in Havana, Cuba, and Los Angeles, California, El Acercamiento/The Approach brings its transnational collaboration to Miami, Florida. Uniting American and Cuban artists to investigate the past, present, and possible futures of Cuba-U.S. relations, an evening of performances will take place at Miami’s Centro Cultural Español.

December 1, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Centro Cultural Español, 1490 Biscayne Blvd, Miami      

     
17. When the Art Comes Down, Works from the Super 8 Collection
Reprising an event held during Frieze New York earlier this year, Super 8 hotels will be giving away old art from across the nation following a chain-wide facelift. Its the final send-off for Super 8’s admittedly not-so-hot collection.

December 1, 7:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.  at 2213 NW 2nd Avenue, Wynwood, Miami

Berna Reale, Palomo, 2012, color video. © Berna Reale.

Berna Reale, Palomo 2012, color video. © Berna Reale.

18. Rubell Family Collection / Contemporary Arts Foundation
In connection with the Getty Research Institute and Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA, the Rubell Family Collection will preview the 2017 exhibition, “Video Art in Latin America” with an installation showcasing work by eight Brazilian artists created from the 1970s through today. It coincides with the opening of the exhibitions “History in Repeat Mode: 12 Brazilian Artists ” and “High Anxiety, New Acquisitions.”

Opens November 30. Hours during Art Basel: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Wed-Sun, 95 NW 29th Street, Miami

19. Resounding Subtleties” at Museo Vault Viewing Room, Beatriz Esguerra Art
This group show from Beatriz Esguerra Art presents the works of Carol Young, Pablo Posada, Carlos Alarcón, Santiago Uribe-Holguín, Mario Arroyave, and Luis Carlos Tovar.

Cocktail reception, December 1, 5:00–9:00 p.m. 346 NW 29th Street, Miami

Romero Britto, Kisses Courtesy the artist.

Romero Britto, Kisses. Courtesy the artist.

20. Antonio Dominguez de Haro and Romero Britto at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami
For the second straight year, the conservation-minded underwater landscapes of 88-year-old Spanish painter Antonio Dominguez de Haro takes center stage at the Four Seasons, paired this go around with the work of Miami-based Brazilian-born artist Romero Britto.

 14-Thirty-Five Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel Miami, 7th floor, 1435 Brickell Avenue

Antonio Dominguez de Haro, <i>Spring</i>. Courtesy the artist.

Antonio Dominguez de Haro, Spring. Courtesy the artist.

21. Annual Breakfast in the Park: Judy Pfaff at the Frost Art Museum
The 13th annual edition of this official Art Basel Miami Beach event is presented in partnership with West Kendall Baptist Hospital. Every year, the museum welcomes guests to enjoy a complimentary breakfast, lecture by a noted sculptor—this year it’s Judy Pfaff— and guided tours of its Sculpture Park and exhibitions. The event is free and open to the public.  On view at the museum are “Narcisco Rodriguez: An Exercise in Minimalism,” “Yuni Kim Lang,” and “Pierce, Mark, Morph” as well as “Line into Form: Works on Paper by Sculptors from Collection of BNY Mellon.”

9:30 a.m.–12:30 p. m. at Florida International University, 10975 SW 17th Street, Miami

Courtesy Florida International University.

Courtesy Florida International University.

 

22. The Annual Art Basel Panel on Contemporary African Diaspora Art (ABPCADA)
Leading voices in the African Diaspora visual arts community gather for an annual Miami Art Week panel discussion.

December 4,  3:00 p.m. Florida Memorial University, 15800 NW 42nd Avenue, Miami Gardens

Jeff Koons, Pluto and Proserpina. Courtesy Bal Harbour Shops and Oceana Bal Harbour.

Jeff Koons, Pluto and Proserpina. Courtesy Bal Harbour Shops and Oceana Bal Harbour.

23. Jeff Koons’s Pluto & Proserpina at Bal Harbour Shops

Billionaire real estate developer Eduardo Costantini, and Jeff Koons will unveil a museum-worthy art collection at the luxury condominium tower Oceana Bal Harbour. Meanwhile, Koons’ Pluto and Proserpina and Seated Ballerina, are making their permanent home at Oceana after whirlwind museum debuts. Pluto and Prosperpina arrives after being on loan by Costantini to the Whitney Museum, the Pompidou Centre in Paris and the Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain.Further, ten meditative and reflective abstracts by Taryn Simon, Callun Innes, Garth Weiser, Juan Usle, An Te Liu and Jorge Mendez Blake round out the Oceana’s art collection.

Unveiling December 2, 7:00–10:00 p.m. Oceana Bal Harbour, 10201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach

24. Jim Drain mural unveiling at Grove at Grand Bay
The new Bjarke Ingels-designed condominium project in Coconut Grove launches with a public art program featuring a new, site-specific mural by Los Angeles artist Jim Drain.

Private tour December 2, TIME TBD, 2675 S Bayshore Dr, Miami

25. TAKE FIVE, a Post-Miami Basel Retreat in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Miami isn’t all fun in the sun, when you’re there for Art Basel. If a week of hard-core art collecting leaves you drained, check out this inaugural post-fair retreat. Expect private dinners in the rain forest as well as visual art and performances Rashaad Newsome, David Antonio Cruz, Kharis Kennedy, Oceana James, La Vaughn Belle, and Jeannette Ehlers with a focus on the effects of the African Diaspora.

December 4–8 St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

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