The Can't-Miss Art Shows at Art Basel Miami 2021
As the world's art scene descends upon the Florida hot-spot, L'OFFICIEL breaks down where to go and what to see.
Huzzah, Art Basel Miami will make its first in-person return since 2019, marking nearly two years without the storied affair. Since its launch in 2002, Art Basel Miami has become North America's premier art fair and, subsequently, the most anticipated social event of Florida's fall calendar. In celebration of the event's return, the organizers have graciously extended their calendar, moving the VIP and press back one day to allow more time for public access to the nearly 253 galleries from across the globe, with works curated by the industry's top curators and museums.
Dust off your sandals, grab a checklist or two, and get ready for complete submersion.
What are Art Basel and Miami Art Week?
Art Basel Miami is the North American installment of the global Basel art fair series, which hops from Basel, Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Miami. The week is a major draw for collectors, curators, artists, and galleries—along with hundreds of celebrities, parties, and satellite art fairs. The week itself has since transitioned into "Miami Art Week."
Art Basel comprises five sectors of art. Galleries (which represent artist like agents) showcase their inventory in carefully curated booths within the fairs themselves, Edition which covers reprints and editioned pieces of art, Nova which covers art created in the past three years, Positions which showcases emerging artists new to the scene, and Survey which highlights works created before 2000.
When are Art Basel and Miami Art Week?
November 30 through December 4, 2021.
Where is Art Basel Miami held?
Art Basel Miami Beach 2021 takes place at the new and very much improved Miami Beach Convention Center. Guided tours of Art Basel are organized in partnership with ArtNexus and available daily during show hours. You can book your time here. These are available in English and Spanish. Tours in German, Mandarin, and Russian are available upon request.
What are the "Must See" booths?
Kavi Gupta, Jack Shainman Gallery, Lehmann Maupin, Almine Rech, Kerlin Gallery, Marian Goodman, Andrew Edlin Gallery, Paula Cooper Gallery, Peter Blum Gallery, White Cube, David Zwirner
Satellite Shows
Art Miami
WHAT: Miami's original art fair, and the second most attended art fair in the world, the fair is celebrating its 31st edition with over 140 galleries, 60 cities, and 20 countries. Art Miami will feature all the heavy hitters (Haring, Picasso, etc.) from blue-chip dealers.
WHERE: One Herald Plaza, NE 14th St.
WHEN: November 30, 2021–December 5, 2021
TICKETS: $35–$275
Scope Miami
WHAT: With pitstops in New York, Switzerland, and Miami, the 20th-annual Scope fair focuses on contemporary art, new artists, and emerging mediums. This year, the beach pavilion will have a range of experimental installations with large-scale works, yoga sessions, panel discussions, and musical performances. When the sun goes down, Scope turns into a full-fledged nightclub with a string of DJs set to perform. NFT art will be available for VIP ticket holders from over 125 galleries underneath the tent. Balmain is also hosting an activation at Scope Miami Beach, Balmain x (Red) Present Saype, and unveiling a fresco by the artist in honor of World AIDS Day on December 1.
WHERE: 801 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach.
WHEN: November 30, 2021–December 5, 2021
TICKETS: $40–$200
Design Miami
WHAT: Design Miami returns to the historic Pride Park for its 17th year examining themes of Humanity, and how design can improve our lives. The inclusive 20 galleries and 16 curatorial exhibitions bring together a diverse set of backgrounds often overlooked in utility-based art. Programming includes artist and designer talks, 3D tours, and a floor of work all available for purchase. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the Germane Barnes installation, and to catch the Rick Owens collaboration with the illustrious Carpenters Workshop Gallery.
WHERE: Convention Center Drive and 19th St, Miami Beach.
WHEN: November 30, 2021-December 5, 2021
TICKETS: $29–$112.50
Untitled Art Miami Beach
In its tenth year, Untitled Art Miami Beach focuses on the Nest sector, highlighting emerging artists, collectives, and non-profits. At the helm are founder Jeff Lawson and creative director Omar López-Chahoud. The show brings together 145 international galleries providing the newest waves of artists on the rise.
WHERE: Ocean Drive and 12th Street, Miami Beach
WHEN: November 29, 2021-December 4, 2021
TICKETS: $40
Perez Museum
WHAT: The storied institution has leaned into all things digital, with a virtual NFT exhibition NFTs The Next 500 Years along with in-person tours of its permanent collection. Daily tours are first-come, first-serve (you better be first, Perez is a can't miss institution), from 12 p.m. -3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Perez's Basel highlight is a range of illuminating panels, with programming including talks on the Afro Diaspora, and an artist led-tour with Marco Brambilla, which will be the educational highlight of Miami Art Week. Tribeca Festival 2021 Selection Breonna's Garden will be the most heartbreaking show of the week. Breonna's Garden will be held on Sunday, December 5th at 2p.m.
WHERE: 1103 NW 23rd St, Miami, FL
WHEN: November 29, 2021-December 5, 2021
TICKETS: Free admission during Art Week
The Bass Museum
WHAT: The Bass Museum consistently shows up for Art Basel with the most anticipated collaborations. This year its Snapchat x Alex Israel exhibit will draw a crowd, while the Israeli artist Naama Tsabaar exhibit is bound to please. The Museum's permanent collection will also be available for viewing, during the week. Do not miss it.
WHERE: 1103 NW 23rd St, Miami, FL
WHEN: November 29, 2021-December 5, 2021
TICKETS: $15 or free admission to Miami Beach residents
Rubell Museum
WHAT: Beginning November 29, The Rubell Museum is opening its doors to the long-anticipated resident art shows including Vogue favorite Kennedy Yanko, Otis Kwame Kye Quaiacoe, and Genesis Tramaine. The nearly 46,000 square foot Museum has also curated seven new installations from artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Yoshitomo Nara, Reginald O'Neal, and Natalie Ball.
WHERE: 1100 NW 23rd St, Miami, FL
WHEN: November 29, 2021-December 5, 2021
TICKETS: Free admission during Art Week
Pilar Zeta’s Hall of Visions at Faena Beach
WHAT: This year, Faena Art enlisted artist Pilar Zeta for two installations. The Hall of Visions will be located on the Faena's immaculate beach real estate, plus a digital component in the form of an NFT that lives on Aorist marketplace; while Hatch will be on view at Faena Cathedral.
WHERE: 3201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach
WHEN: Nov 30–Dec 5.
TICKETS: Free admission
Context Art Miami
WHAT: For most, the art at Basel is a bit out of their budget, with booths at major fairs spending up to $400,000 just for the space itself. In the end, costs must be recouped. Context has come to solve this issue by showing emerging and mid-career artists from a global catalog of 91 galleries, all starting at approachable price points (relative to its peers down the shore).
WHERE: One Herald Plaza at 14th St.
WHEN: November 30, 2021–December 5, 2021
TICKETS: $35–$275.
GALLERY RECOMMENDATIONS
MIAMI DESIGN DISTRICT
Jeffrey Deitch Gallery Shattered Glass: 191 NE 40th St,
Mitchell-Innes & Nash: 151 NE 41st Street, Suite 125
Goodman Gallery: 151 NE 41st Street, Suite 123
Galerie Lelong:
The Institute of Contemporary Art: Miami: 61 NE 41st Street
