The crowds were thin, but the wallets were open at Art Basel Miami Beach 2021 and the surrounding fairs at Miami Art Week. VIPs bought fast and furious during the first two VIP days and left after attending the night parties and exhibitions, the best of which was again at the Faena Hotel where an NFT auction and an inflatable iceberg in the hotel pool were the stars. As Artscope’s publisher, Kaveh Mojtabai, and I roamed the halls of Art Basel Miami Beach and the other art fairs in Miami, an insular world of joy and peace surrounded us despite the heavy vehicular traffic getting there, and the necessary health and safety check stations. Again, Scope, in a tent on the South Beach, had work created during the pandemic, with an overall theme of glitz and color. Allover, the feeling reflected in the work was one of the last party before the world closed up again. Take the glitz and the … [Read more...] about MIAMI ART WEEK: THE LAST PARTY BEFORE THE WORLD CLOSES UP AGAIN?

I hope I am not looking at the storm before the apocalypse, but everything at the Miami Art Fairs, and especially in the halls and sectors of Art Basel Miami Beach seem sunny and normal, if a bit less crowded than usual. Keeping socially distanced is not a problem, and mask wearing is not déclassé in the least, but rather required. Dress is definitely fancier than usual, as though we might not party again for quite a while, and this respite between pandemic strains closing venues is a last gasp, hopefully not literally. The show is brightly colored, with few subjectively dark work, providing a party atmosphere, added to the crowd’s bright colors and floral patterned dresses (and men’s suits). Subjectively, there are lots of flowers and landscapes of beautifully, if environmentally challenged scenes. I loved Miguel Cardenas’ work, drawn onto a blue painted wall, of flora and fauna … [Read more...] about DAY ONE: ‘BRIGHTLY COLORED” ART BASEL RETURNS TO MIAMI BEACH