The place to be in December is Art Basel, everyone knows this. Art lovers, models, party go-ers and the rich know very well when it comes to Art Basel, it's the place to be come December every year. Many go simply for the amount of parties going on in Miami during this time as well as the nice weather. Over the past few years Art Basel has become a bit of a mainstream event with many coming just to have overall fun (nothing wrong with that). While you're there, don't forget to visit Miami's iconic Art Deco.
But amongst the crowd of attendees is several art lovers, private collectors and gallery representatives in the art industry who're primarily coming for the artwork. Don't forget the crypto community, as of Art Basel 2020 more crypto investors/NFT fanatics have been coming to Art Basel every year.
This is because of the rising popularity of NFT's as a form of modern day artwork, galleries are hosting full on NFT shows. Art Basel is a non-profit venture and can have big implications for galleries and artists. It is a great space for artists to exhibit and sell their work to a worldwide network of curators and art collectors.
What is Art Basel?
The biggest annual event that draws collectors and artists from all over the world is Art Basel in Miami, Florida. The annual event has been redefining art fairs for over 50 years now. It also redefines what an art fair can be, seeing that is is a four day art fair full of constant showings and events. Since its debut in 1970, Art Basel has become the biggest international art fair staged in Basel, Hong Kong and Miami, connecting art lovers and galleries.
It was created to highlight the best artists at the time and serve as a driving force in supporting galleries' role in supporting artists' careers. This annual event features contemporary and modern art. It brings together hundreds of galleries from around the world before the top museums, curators and collectors of the art world.
Basel, Switzerland hosted the first Art Basel in June 1970. It was started by three Swiss art professionals: Ernst Beyeler (a dealer and collector),Trudl Bruckner and Balz Hilt. It was created to compete with Art Cologne, an art fair for contemporary art that first appeared in neighbouring Germany three years ago. The inaugural show attracted more than 16,000 people who saw 90 galleries and 30 publishers representing 10 countries.
Installation view, Hauser & Wirth at Art Basel Miami Beach, Miami FL, 30 November-4 December 2021.COURTESY HAUSER & WIRTH/DAN BRADICA
Five years later, the show's scope has expanded to include almost 300 exhibitors from 21 countries. Marc Spiegler, Art Basel's Global director, managed to draw 98,000 people over six days (2015). Over 280 galleries representing 33 countries had the opportunity to display works from more than 4,000 artists.
Art Basel has become a major art event that is gaining in popularity and influence worldwide. Because of the events surrounding Art Basel throughout the four days and many coming for the events. Art Basel is exposing art to those who would have had no interest in coming for the artwork in the first place.
This event has become a major highlight on the annual arts calendar, and is a great place to see the top names in the art world. It was then expanded in Miami in 2002 and then in Hong Kong in 2013. This event attracted over 60,000 people worldwide.
Why Art Basel is Important to Art Lovers
The American Basel event is held in Miami Beach Convention Center. It attracts over 70,000 people each year and features work from more than 250 galleries around the world. Established as well as upcoming artist artwork are displayed from galleries all over the world. The exhibits showcase important work by the most renowned artists of contemporary and modern art as well as new rising talent. The even can be a stepping stone for some artists career if their work receives many bids for purchase and online headlines.
Perrotin Gallery at 2021 Art Basel Miami Beach Art Fair Preview Day at Miami Beach Convention Center on November 30, 2021 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images - Artist: Daniel Arsham
It is strongly founded on the belief that galleries are an integral part of the promotion and development of visual arts. All applications must be submitted online. After a thorough review, galleries are invited to join. Art Basel's Selection Committees are made up of prominent gallerists, who serve multi-year terms. To make their final selections, the Selection Committee uses consistent criteria from year to year. This ensures that every Art Basel show features contemporary and modern artwork of the highest quality.
Can Anyone Go To Art Basel?
Many are under the impression that Art Basel is some sort of exclusive art event, when really it's not. The events are available to the public with the purchase of tickets. If you're looking to see some of the exhibits online through stream, that's available as well for free. There's definitely some exhibitions that are organized to be exclusive and invite only as well. The 250 various exhibitions feature art of all kinds, digital art, sculptures, photography and paintings.
Photo: Getty Images
The Art Basel Miami Beach this 2021 is the first live event since 2019. It was in 2019 when Maurizio Cattelan's made headlines with his $120,000 banana. Many galleries, especially blue-chip dealers, reported strong results.
A Noah Davis painting sold for $1.4million and an Ad Reinhardt abstract sold for over $7 million at David Zwirner. Now known as Miami Art Week, the week of Art Basel is a big draw, with major events, parties, satellite fairs, and other activities being held in conjunction.