Monday, November 27, 2006

Countdown to Aqua

We leave for Miami a week from today, and there are still 1001 details to attend to. I think every gallery on our block was humming yesterday (not only is everyone preparing for Miami, but most exhibitions are turning over as well). With crates coming in, crates moving out, and miles of bubble wrap stretching across the gallery floor (the people who make shipping materials are test driving new Porsches this morning), you would have hardly known it was a holiday weekend.

As you've no doubt heard if you've paid any attention to all this, Miami will host a baker's dozen of art fairs next week. To help you find what's where, Artnet.com has posted this very handy
interactive map.

Regardless of your budget or interest, if you're collecting art, you'll find something you like in Miami, I'm sure.

I haven't heard yet of anyone organizing an art blogger's party (hint, hint), but Bambino and I are skipping the big hotel bashes and opting instead for a series more intimate gatherings. Having said that, if you have any spare tickets you can't make use of, I get constant requests and would make sure they go to good use.

If you're in Miami, do stop by! You'll find us at Aqua in the same suite we had last year (behind the pool, in the back). We're very excited to be bringing work by some artists we've just begun working with, as well as some knockout pieces by the artists you may already know. Even if you're just making the rounds, we'd love to see you.

34 Comments:

Blogger jafabrit said...

maybe I should quit painting and get into the shipping material biz LOL!
naw! Can't do it. Oh well.

hum art bloggers party, now you got this arts council member/artist/blogger brain a ticking.

all the best in Miami.

11/27/2006 09:31:00 AM  
Anonymous Franklin said...

Somewhat against my better judgment, I'll be down for a few days. If a blogger meetup happens, let me know.

11/27/2006 10:44:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Miami Basel/artfairs/ETC. are not about art.

Call it "The Circus in Miami" now.

No wonder Mr. Keller quit.

mls

11/27/2006 12:12:00 PM  
Blogger Edward_ said...

Miami Basel/artfairs/ETC. are not about art.

Well, not in any pure sense, no. They're about the selling of art, which often enables artists to continue making art, which, well, is about art.

As to whether the circus it's become has anything to do with Sam quitting or not is a good topic for debate, but he's as responsible for it as anyone I can think of.

11/27/2006 12:29:00 PM  
Anonymous bambino said...

I love Miami Basel week, and can't wait to be there next week

11/27/2006 12:33:00 PM  
Blogger Mark said...

I love the circus! You could feel the excitement several weeks ago. Have a blast, sunscreen.

11/27/2006 01:09:00 PM  
Blogger James Wolanin said...

I'm really looking forward to Miami next week, this will be my first time experiencing the Miami Art Fair circus. (Should I not be admitting that it's my first art fair?)

I'll be at The Bridge Art Fair, but I'll try to stop by Aqua and say hello!

11/27/2006 03:33:00 PM  
Blogger Edward_ said...

Do stop in James...and the best of luck at Bridge!

e_

11/27/2006 06:25:00 PM  
Blogger Tyler said...

In the rear view mirror of history, how are the Parisian salons remembered? As exhibitions. What were the Parisian salons really all about? Selling art.

11/27/2006 06:37:00 PM  
Blogger Edward_ said...

What were the Parisian salons really all about? Selling art.

C'est vrai.

11/27/2006 07:22:00 PM  
Blogger The Hanger-On said...

I'll be in Miami for a very long weekend. Are there really thirteen fairs? I thought there were six, maybe seven.... By day three I think I'll be on the beach--no more art!

11/27/2006 08:23:00 PM  
Anonymous Cedric Caspesyan said...

>>>>What were the Parisian salons >>>really all about? Selling art.
>>>C'est vrai.

Oui mais, finalement, serait-ce toute l'histoire de l'art moderne qui n'a été qu'un grand cirque?

(So, eventually, wasn't it all of modern art history that has been a great circus?)


Cheers,

Cedric Caspesyan
centiment@hotmail.com

11/27/2006 08:28:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

14 art fairs in one weekend people!

By now anyone can show up and sell you some china.

250 activities or/and parties!

Do you think somebody cares anymore?

Not!

The salons? One.

Once a year dears.

And, and, they were kind of curated harshly.

Anyone comming to the refuses?

Yes, he quit while on top before the circus came to town. Forget it. The eggs are not made of gold anymore. The goose is dead.



mls

11/27/2006 10:08:00 PM  
Anonymous Cedric Caspesyan said...

If I'm refused at both Basel or Aqua or any of the art fairs does that means I'm an interesting artist (like at the times of the Refuses)?

Cheers,

Cedric Caspesyan
centiment@hotmail.com


(come on people...fairs do suck but I'm sure Edward needs the extra money, and lazy riches love them, they only want art in their living room they don't care about visiting an actual gallery)

11/28/2006 02:09:00 AM  
Blogger Edward_ said...

I can't defend something I haven't experienced yet, MLS, so I won't try to dissuade you that 13 (14?) fairs is a bad thing. Who knows? It might be truly awful...it might rock like nothing we've ever seen...we'll see. But I'm curious what makes you think Sam left because of the way the sattelites have multiplied.

11/28/2006 07:35:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ED:
He knew. Miami is a cheap city compared to many European capitals or NYC. It is more difficult and expensive to create, produce and participate in European fairs than the USA ones. You have less competition. He predicted the avalanche because of the low costs involved in Miami. (Already many cutting edge galleries are not returning to London. Very risky indeed.) Furthermore, He couldn’t protect the Basel brand anymore for that same reason. He left while on top. 5 years doing the same sounds about right for a modern European professional.

mls

11/28/2006 08:56:00 AM  
Blogger Edward_ said...

I'm not sure I'm following exactly MLS. Are you saying Keller caused the avalanche (i.e., he's the villian) or he was pushed out because of it (i.e., he's the victim)?

11/28/2006 09:06:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am saying that he is gone because after 5 years Basel Miami and Miami itself has peaked and he is moving on.

11/28/2006 11:53:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

mls

11/28/2006 11:54:00 AM  
Blogger Lisa Hunter said...

Have a fantastic fair. I'll be here in the frozen tundra but wishing you well.

11/28/2006 05:46:00 PM  
Anonymous Cedric Caspesyan said...

It's soooooo bizarre this BASEL in MIAMI thing....

Why not call it Miami Art Fair??



And if people are so willing to create 14 art fairs in that city, why is there not a single mind who can think of actually organizing something properly interesting, like a Documenta or Biennial. Maybe that would entice me to go.


(no there's never enough of them, we got many new artists coming into the circus each year, and I'm tired of having to wait 3 years before my fave artists get their next gallery show, so it really seems we need more platforms)

Cheers,

Cedric Caspesyan
centiment@hotmail.com

11/28/2006 06:10:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Trickle down mls, trickle down!

The idea of giving ipod nanos with Artist statements podded away to those who purchase over 10K will work, despite what you say mls!
Think of the lit up faces when granddad returns and opens the door, coos, "Look what grandpa brought back."

At Basel Miami Everyone is a Winner!

Now don't go blathering such things in Vegas, will you!

11/28/2006 06:52:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Vegas?

There are not enough Queers in Las Vegas to warrant an art fair. Maybe in 10 years.

mls

11/29/2006 10:13:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Trikle down?

No dear. The future is Ebay.

Not enough platforms?

Curate in the web. I am doing it.

FYI, most art nowdays is bought from pictures in a computer monitor. Ask Mr. Z.F. on 24st. He sells whole shows months in advance like that.

Keep up people!


mls

11/29/2006 10:23:00 AM  
Blogger Edward_ said...

There are not enough Queers in Las Vegas to warrant an art fair.

Yeah, what's with that? I feel like a minority in Vegas. With all that glitter and skin and fabulousness, you'd think more queers would flock there...it's as gay a place as you're ever gonna see outside the Land of Oz, my sisters and brothers...and what happens there stays there...what's not to love!?

11/29/2006 10:24:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am going to Miami.

No collection visits. No parties. No movies. Maybe one museum show. I am giving away the VIP pass/RSVP's.

I will visit 3 fairs only.

1)Basel Miami
2)NADA
3)Aqua



The rest is shit.

mls

11/29/2006 10:48:00 AM  
Blogger Edward_ said...

Do stop in please and introduce yourself, MLS (unless I know you already and just don't recognize your initials)...and

I am giving away the VIP pass/RSVP's.

Let's talk... :-)

The rest is shit.

Ouch. I can understand limiting what you visit, given how overwhelming it all can be, but there are pleasant surprises to be found in every fair in my experience.

11/29/2006 10:56:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Look at the list of galleries in the other art fairs. That should explain it.

We haven't met Mr. E.W.

11/29/2006 11:58:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

mls

11/30/2006 11:15:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've never been to the Miami fairs but I want a slice of the circus money pie that's served up. Since none of the participating galleries have requested my presence, I'm going to paint myself and walk around town nude ... or close to it, hand out my cards and invite folks to view my portfolio.

12/01/2006 05:09:00 AM  
Blogger onesock said...

I am very sad that I wont be able to attend this year due to teaching obligations. As an art lover i find the fairs a real blast-to see all that activity and energy and some really interesting stuff. As an artist I sorta feel the same way I felt as a kid whenever I wasnt picked for the kickball team and had to sit on the curb watching all the other kids have fun. But I know if I went that feeling would go away and I would just enjoy it. Plus you get to throw things at the kids from the curb!...and eat dirt an stuff.

12/01/2006 05:55:00 AM  
Blogger From the Files of Abulafia said...

Yes, mls, while there is a lot of shite-in-the-rough to be found during Basel week here, there is much more to see than your shortlist of must-do's.
What about PULSE? The Moore Space (john bock is doing a show there...)??, MAC(miami art central ) has a show up of video/new media from the Centre Pompidou's collection....??
The Zaha Hadid piece at the Moore Space? The Guillermo Kuitca at the AQUA building (not the fair..)??

And, oh so much more.

If you don't want that VIP pass, i'll take it..

Good luck at Aqua, EW...looking forward to seeing what you have to show....

best,

rjm

12/02/2006 07:37:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Abulafia:

Yes, I am limiting myself. I agree. Am I protesting the Miami circus-fairs-events? Yes. In my own small way. We should all know better. This art rush era is going to be harmfullllll for everybody. Wait and see but that doesn't mean artists shouldn't participate.

No, you can't have my VIPs' I don't know you dear.

mls

PS.

Circus- I said it before Ms. Boesky.
14 fairs- I said it before Artnet.
mediocre era- is obvious.

12/03/2006 02:47:00 PM  
Anonymous David said...

MLS, since you're skipping so many events, have fun on the beach. Make sure to use plenty of sunscreen.

12/03/2006 07:32:00 PM  

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