Welcome to Anna Sherrill's ultimate guide to Miami Art Week! Our three-part series takes a dive into the best restaurants, must-visit galleries, and the exclusive celebrations taking place in the Magic City throughout the exciting week.
Heads turn to South Florida as a global audience comes together to celebrate art and culture. Here’s our guide to special events, performances and experiences.
Ruinart Beach Art Lounge
Take a Basel break in the Ruinart Beach Art Lounge at Collins Park beachfront (between 21st and 22nd streets) from November 30 to December 2, 12 – 4:30 p.m. Guests can sip champagne while enjoying the Ruinart x Jeppe Hein participatory installation titled “Right Here, Right Now” with relaxing experiences such as meditative sound baths.
Balenciaga
For last-minute Basel outfits, Balenciaga recently opened its largest U.S. store with a futuristic, sustainable design inspired by raw industrial architecture. Comprised of upcycled mattresses and cushions, artist Charlotte Thrane’s comfy installation is displayed alongside men’s and women’s collections. Exclusive items range from orange motorcycle boots to monogram services for Le Cagole bags.
“The Gateway: A Web3 Metropolis”
The worlds of NFTs and culture collide during “The Gateway: A Web3 Metropolis,” the first-ever web3 universe sprawled across downtown Miami from November 30 to December 3. In addition to web3 installations by multiple brands (Porsche, Pace Gallery’s Pace Verso) and 50 artists (Loie Hollowell, Daniel Arsham, Tara Donovan), engage during speaker panels, entertainment and fireside chats.
The Standard Spa
Miami Beach’s Standard Spa always has something going on for Art Basel. Between people watching, check out Éliou’s pop-up for handcrafted jewelry, including exclusive collaborations with the resort; Colombian artist Nicoläs Villamizar’s live mural demonstration on December 1, and Jumbo NYC design firm’s realistic pasta-shaped pool floats to use onsite or purchase new as souvenirs.
La Dolce Vita
Close to their fashion boutique in the Miami Design District, Dolce & Gabbana’s temporary space for DG Casa stocks maximalist home décor in signature ornate patterns from Carretto Siciliano to Zebra. Famous restaurateur Mario Carbone also designs men’s wear label Our Lady of Rocco. Shop its retro looks at his pop-up in the Miami Design District.
Art For Good
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, celebrates the Morris Lapidus-designed hotel’s 70th anniversary with Art For Good. The multi-discipline program includes performances by the Miami Symphony Orchestra and Miami City Ballet, and an exhibition and fundraising auction of Monad Studio’s 3D-printed, sonic sculptures. Bid on instrument-inspired artworks from a Xenophone to a slide guitar via the link below.
Porsche’s The Art of Dreams
Porsche’s commissioned global series The Art of Dreams rolls into Pérez Art Museum Miami. Scottish artist Chris Labrooy’s large-scale installation “Dream Big” envisions a child playing with a Matchbox car—a real-life Porsche in this case. The introspective work challenges viewers to tap into their childhood imagination for what dreams lie ahead.
Night Music
It wouldn’t be Art Basel without late-night revelry. As expected, a parade of music acts is flying in to perform at hot spots. The Chainsmokers are among LIV’s Basel Edition lineup, while Sexy Fish features street artist/DJ Alex Monopoly, and DeadMau5 plays Story.
No Vacancy, Miami Beach
For its largest exhibition of site-specific public artworks through December 8, the juried competition series “No Vacancy, Miami Beach” pairs 12 artists with local hotels. Timed for Art Basel, special events include Danish artist Esben Weile Kjær’s dance performances on December 2-3 for his silver inflatable sculpture of giant carnivorous plants titled “Hyper!” at the Fontainebleau.
