Mel Ramos, Miss Kiss 3, 2012, oil on canvas, Modernism Inc., San Francisco, CA

Art Miami stands out as one of the highlights of the fall art fair season. What sets it apart is its longstanding commitment to providing access to the best of the Contemporary art market, spanning both the 20th and 21st centuries. As the oldest art fair hosted in the Miami region, Art Miami doesn’t disappoint. Celebrating its 24th anniversary, it will run from December 3 through 8, and expects to welcome over 60,000 visitors.

Inez van Lamsweerde, My Little Darling, 2003, pigment print on Somerset paper, Modernism Inc., San Francisco, CA

Every year, art professionals and art enthusiasts convene at the fair’s tented grounds to see new and promising artwork. Art Miami partners with galleries from all across the globe to provide both a diverse and provocative selection of new artworks. This collaborative spirit is what has made Art Miami such a popular destination.

Sven-Ole Frahm, Untitled (#124), 2011, acrylic on canvas, Galerie Richard, New York, NY

This year, there will be 190 galleries participating in the fair. To kick start the festivities, there will be an opening night reception benefiting the Perez Art Museum of Miami. This VIP event will give guests an exclusive preview of the works on display.

Cracking Art Group, Pink Snail, recycled/recyclable plastic, Galleria Ca’D’Oro, Rome, Italy

As part of their ongoing commitment to offering a carefully curated selection of artwork, Art Miami will feature a series of special exhibitions spotlighting some of the most promising artistic talent. Artists featured in the special exhibitions are chosen in advance by the curatorial team of LaRete Art Projects—an initiative of art professionals who work to introduce established and emerging artists to a wider audience. Of note is ZOOM IN, an exhibition program designed to give recognition to five galleries representing artists who create outstanding video works. These works will be installed and screened in their own exhibition space. THINK BIG, a conceptual project focused on taking a big idea and turning it into a piece of art, is another not-to-be-missed special exhibition. The works produced for this project are expected to be bold and inventive, and will be set up in solo exhibition spaces.

Federico Herrero, Paisaje con Letras, 2012, mixed media on canvas, Bridgette Mayer Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

This year’s participant highlights include Dillon Gallery, a New York gallery that emphasizes the importance of cultivating an international voice for artists such as Cristina de Middel (Spanish, b.1975) and up-and-comer Leah Yerpe. Also on view will be San Francisco gallery Modernism Inc., who will be showcasing works examining the female form by California artist Mel Ramos (American, b.1935) and Dutch photographer Inez Van Lamsweerde (Dutch, b.1963).

In 2012, Art Miami branched off into new territory, establishing its own sister fair, CONTEXT. CONTEXT provides a platform for emerging and mid-career artists to gain increased exposure within the art community. The popularity of the sister fair was so great during its inaugural year that this year’s edition will be housed in a separate space situated next to the Art Miami pavilion. Some of the participating galleries include Galerie Richard, which will exhibit colorful abstract confections by Sven-Ole Frahm (German, b.1972) and candy-colored animal sculptures by the Italian artist collective Cracking Art Group.

For the first time, CONTEXT will play host to the Art Video Lounge. The Art Video Lounge allows one film institution each year to screen videos of both artistic and historical importance. This year’s pick is the Video-Forum of Neuer Berliner Kunstverein (n.b.k.), a Berlin-based film institution that boasts an archive of over 1,500 art videos. Fans of performance art by boundary-pushing artists, such as Bruce Nauman (American, b.1941) and Nam June Paik (American/Korean, 1932–2006), will revel in the opportunity to see these hard-to-find videos.

The rest of the week will be filled with exciting events that cater to a variety of interests. Whether you are a blogger, a curator, or simply a curious visitor, there will be something on the agenda to suit your interests.

Art Miami
December 3–8
The Art Miami Pavilion Midtown
Wynwood Art District
3101 NE First Avenue Miami, FL 33137

CONTEXT
December 3–8
The Art Miami Pavilion Midtown
Wynwood Art District
3101 NE First Avenue Miami, FL 33137

Participating artnet Galleries Members:

Art Miami

CONTEXT