Ricci Albenda yakkity, yakkity, yak! (2015)
Image: Courtesy of Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York.

The annual art marathon that is known as Miami Art Week is officially here, and major art fairs have opened all across Miami. But today marked the VIP opening of what is arguably at the center of it all: the 14th edition of Art Basel in Miami Beach.

Elizabeth Dee’s booth at Art Basel in Miami Beach, 2015.
Image: Courtesy of Elizabeth Dee.

artnet News came crashing through the doors with the rest of the eager fairgoers this morning, hitting the Miami Beach Convention Center, where of course there were plenty of six-figure and multi-million dollar masterpieces to gawk at. But just like last year, we also couldn’t help overhearing some intriguing conversations, both art- and non-art related, via dealers, collectors, connoisseurs, and confused patrons.

Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari’s TOILETPAPER lounge.
Photo: Instagram/@tidatravels.

Here is a smattering of some of the best things we heard so far:

“I wouldn’t buy it but it would be a bargain for $15,000.”

“We can ship them to Delaware.”

“I don’t buy anything that I can’t lift myself.”

“That is GORGEOUS!”

“It looks beautiful…but let’s see what happens.”

“I keep seeing that name all over the place.”

“You look really good! Like the best I’ve seen you! You look great!”

“You snubbed me in New York.”

“Seattle Art Fair. So that’s gonna happen for five years now because, Paul Allen.”

“It’s called INK. It’s a print fair.”

“Listen to me for a second, listen to me for a second.”

“It’s a nice contrast.”

“No, we want to be diametrically across from here.”

“I’m ready to collapse.”

“Tranquilo!”

Follow Artnet News on Facebook:

Want to stay ahead of the art world? Subscribe to our newsletter to get the breaking news, eye-opening interviews, and incisive critical takes that drive the conversation forward.