Art Basel Miami 2024
- Curated by Younghye
- Dec 8, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 10
"Great Art has the power to inspire everyone"
I attended Art Basel Miami 2024 as I do every year. My Travel with art fairs have begun at New York City in 2013, and for the last seven years, I’ve been coming to Art Basel Miami. Over time, I've developed a strong sense of where to focus my attention and gain inspiration.
Regarding of art fairs and its locations, I don’t think any location is necessarily better than another—it depends on the individual. For example, while waiting in line to grab a bun at the Hong Kong Cafe at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024, I overheard a conversation between an American Chinese art dealer and her client. It was the first time the Hong Kong Cafe had opened at the event, so there was quite a line. The dealer shared that she had worked at the Gagosian Gallery for several years before starting her own business. She had visited all the Art Basel locations and mentioned that her favorite was Paris, due to the excellent restaurants, performances, and shops. On the other hand, she preferred Basel the least, as it’s a small town.
I love Paris, but Basel remains my favorite. It may not be a large city, but it offers a unique combination of experiencing contemporary art alongside medieval art, all at the same time. Having traveled to many places, I can't recall many cities where you can encounter both the old and the new in such a seamless way. An old master dealer once mentioned that Basel has many amazing restaurants and food. However, with my limited background in European culture, it was a bit overwhelming for me, and I’m sure many others might feel the same. But, being a visual person, I thoroughly enjoyed simply walking around the town, taking in the blend of old and new. It was incredibly beautiful.
There's a saying that you can only truly see things as deeply as you understand them—and that’s just as true for art. If you’re looking to buy art for yourself, the first step is educating yourself by attending numerous art fairs and exhibitions. This will help you develop your style as a collector.
1. The Art Basel Miami at the Convention Center has a vast array of galleries and artists, making it a fantastic place to shop and check trend. However, if you’re simply buying for your own space, it’s important to choose something that resonates with you on a more intimate level.
2. The Miami Print Fair, the venue, located in the perfect old beach vacation hotel, offered a more intimate setting, with each gallery having its own space in a hotel room. This made it easier for people to connect with the artwork and imagine it within their environment, offering a clear sense of how it would fit into real-life settings.
3. The Rubell Museum Miami, while it’s not a large space, their collection is truly impressive. If you want to see work from the most trendy and hot artists, this is the place to go. Having attended many large gallery shows in New York City, I’m always amazed by the incredible pieces they acquire each year.
4. Another great spot to visit during Miami Art Week is the Perez Art Museum Miami. It’s an excellent venue that features contemporary art in the latest styles. The artists often give talks about their work, which adds an extra layer of depth to the experience—it's truly fascinating. This year, their highlighted shows were; "Away with Tides" by #CalidaRawles and "Homecoming" by #JoseParla.
5. The Untitled Miami is the perfect spot to enjoy both the beach and art simultaneously. The view of the beach from their lounge area is stunning. Since NADA isn’t located in South Beach, if you’re only in Miami for a short time, visiting Untitled is a great choice. I always come across incredible artwork there.
If you have some extra time, visiting the NADA and Art Miami in Downtown Miami is highly recommended.
This year, I revisited the Miami Design District after seven years, and it was fantastic. You can find all the major luxury brands there, from clothing and shoes to furniture. I realized that Miami, during Art Basel, is the perfect spot for an end-of-year vacation. You can shop for both art for your space and gifts for the holidays. One of the new hotspots is the Cote Miami, a trendy Korean barbecue restaurant located in the heart of the Miami Design District. It’s been all the talk, but getting in without a reservation is nearly impossible. The Cartier hosted a "Trinity 100" exhibition opening VIP party for their show, and it was the event everyone wanted to attend. I was so excited to be there, especially seeing the crowds gathered outside hoping to get in. They served beautifully presented
finger foods and drinks, which were absolutely amazing. The venue itself was lovely, but the exhibition didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
The Kohler showcased their Cold Plunge, Remedy at the Edition Hotel, and while the venue itself was stunning, I wasn’t able to gather much information about the product. The Robb Report held an excellent three-day events at the Faena Penthouse, and the venue was gorgeous. The artists' talks and the products they presented were impressive as well.
There was a large public art installation called "THE GREAT ELEPHANT MIGRATION" (https://thegreatelephantmigration.org/), displayed in mid-Miami Beach. After visiting Untitled Miami, I took a bus to see the installation. On the bus, there was a group of Seniors who seemed to know where they were going. Once we arrived in Mid Beach, the driver asked, "Who’s ready to see the elephants?" and everyone responded enthusiastically, creating an interesting moment that felt like a school bus driver taking kids to the zoo. The elephants were incredibly detailed and massive, creating a stunning scene. From the Faena Penthouse, the view was breathtaking, and even though I couldn’t capture a perfect video, the experience was unforgettable. I believe that great art has the power to inspire everyone.
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