Miami prepares for Art Basel Miami Beach

As every December, Miami prepares for one of the most anticipated artistic events of the year: Art Basel Miami Beach. It is the most complete international fair of contemporary art in North America with more than 260 galleries from 33 countries that show works by more than 4,000 artists. This year it takes place from December 6 to 9 at the new Miami Beach Convention Center and hopes to attract more than 77,000 art dealers, artists, collectors and fans. It will also have some Spanish galleries such as Kewenig Galerie, Elba Benítez, Elvira González Gallery, Leandro Navarro Gallery, Maisterravalbuena Gallery, Parra & Romero and Travesía Cuatro.

Art Basel Miami Beach exhibits all types of art: painting, sculpture, artistic installations, photography and audiovisual art. The fair is divided into different sectors: Galleries, Nova, Positions, Edition, Kabinett, Survey and Magazines, Galleries being the centerpiece of the fair. Nova exhibits new avant-garde works by emerging artists and galleries. Edition is a section in which representatives of the publishing world show the results of their collaboration with recognized artists. Kabinett focuses on the work of a single artist or a thematic group exhibition. Survey is dedicated to art history projects ranging from individual exhibitions to thematic exhibitions with select galleries.

Art Basel Miami Beach 2018 takes place during the famous Miami Art Week, a week in which Miami becomes the world center of art hosting more than 20 fairs. Among them, stand out Scope, Art Miami, Pulse Miami Beach, NADA Miami and Design Miami. In addition, to this stage of art and culture there are some local museums and galleries that display special exhibitions, such as the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), the Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum-FIU or the private collection of Rubell Family Collection, among others. And the most festive side of Miami Art Week cannot be forgotten, with VIP events, dinners and parties in the most TOP venues in the city.

The beginnings of Art Basel

Art Basel Miami Beach is, in fact, the sister of the original Art Basel founded in 1979 in the Swiss city of Basel, by a trio of Swiss gallerists: Ernst Beyeler, Trudi Bruckner and Balz Hilt. Since then, Art Basel is held every June attracting more than 100,000 visitors and becoming the most important contemporary art fair in the world.

As for Art Basel Miami Beach, it has been celebrated since 2002 and Miami was selected as a second ideal destination for Art Basel due to its exceptional position in the nexus of North America and South America. Over the years, the city has become an important artistic destination throughout the year, with a vibrant gallery scene, avant-garde museums and first-class street art.