Wire’s Picks for Art Week 2012 

(Image Credit: Red Bull Curates at SCOPE Miami)

by Antwyone Ingram and Rafa Carvajal

The time of the year has arrived, when thousands of art connoisseurs, collectors, dealers, curators, and artists rejoice in the name of art as Art Week descends upon Miami. Unleashing a bounty of modern and contemporary art throughout Miami’s most prominent art scenes, Art Week showcases unparalleled works from all across the globe. Extending far beyond traditional forms of art, Art Week’s multifariousness draws in the likes of emerging artists, as well as veterans from various art scenes from across the world. Contemporary, modern, or traditional – Art Week has it all. Overwhelming to say the least, Art Week has an innumerable selection of events to attend. Wire Magazine has selected some of the most notable art fairs and events of the week that are sure to change your perspective of art by arousing your curiosity and inspiring you to explore the many art fairs. For ticket information as well as specific galleries and exhibitions, visit each fair’s listed website. 

Art Africa
December 6 - 9
www.artafricamiami.com
3246 N. Miami Ave., Midtown Art District
Paying homage to fine contemporary art from the global African Diaspora and the centrality of Africa, Art Africa brings an international flair to Miami’s African-American Cultural hub, Overtown, by advancing artists from the African Diaspora, and plans on delivering a larger showcase for Art Basel Week ‘12.

Art Asia December 4 - 9
www.artasiafair.com
110 NE 36 St.at Midtown Blvd, Miami
Art Asia is a selective showcase of galleries from around the world that specifically brings you the best of emerging contemporary artists from throughout Asia. Returning for its 5th edition, the fair will continue to expose fresh and exciting works from the complete Asian Diaspora to new audiences. For the first time Art Asia will be presenting a special section dedicated to contemporary art from the South Asian subcontinent. Additionally, the fair will host programming, including artist talks, curatorial tours and discussion panels.

Art Basel Miami Beach
December 6 - 9
www.artbasel.com
Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach
Sister event of the world’s most grandiose art event for the past 43 years, Switzerland’s Art Basel, Art Basel Miami will combine an international selection of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. Over 260 leading galleries featuring the works of over 2,000 artists from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa will showcase 20th and 21st century artwork. The event is separated into exhibition sectors, accommodating the taste of every art lover, whether simple or eclectic. Discover the works of both newcomers and some of the world’s most respected art dealers while indulging in contemporary art, as well as rare museum caliber artworks.

ArtExpo Miami
December 5-9
Artexpo-miami.com
3011 NE 1st Ave. at NW 31st St.,Miami
Showcasing contemporary works in paintings, fine art photography, sculpture, mixed media and more, the 34th annual international ArtExpo Miami and Miami SOLO returns with a juried selection of fine art from international artists and galleries. Dubbed “the nexus of the fine art world,” ArtExpo draws in non-stop traffic with its wide array of innovative works.

Art Miami
December 4 - 9
www.art-miami.com
Midtown Miami | Wynwood, 3101 NE 1st Ave., Miami
Miami’s premier anchor fair kicks off on the day of Art Week showcasing the best in modern and contemporary art from more than 125 international art galleries. Art Miami is the longest running contemporary art fair in Miami and highly praised for it’s myriad of incomparable art selections that it showcases to participants. The event will begin on December 4 with the acclaimed Opening Night VIP Preview.

CONTEXT
December 5 - 9
www.art-miami.com
Midtown Miami | Wynwood, 3101 NE 1st Ave., Miami
Coinciding with the 23rd edition of Art Miami, Miami’s newest cutting-edge, contemporary art fair will take place in a state-of-the-art pavilion adjacent Art Miami. Showcasing a curated group of 50 galleries featuring the works of solo artists, installations, immersive environments, curated projects and multimedia exhibits, CONTEXT signifies a natural progression for the overall growth of Art Miami and the Wynwood Arts District. Emerging and mid-career artists will showcase their work in the CONTEXT Pavilion which will feature a VIP lounge, Art Video New Media Lounge, coffee and wine bar, performance stage, indoor and outdoor curated projects in a 43,000 sq. ft. air conditioned, concrete floor exhibition space.

Design Miami
December 5 - 9
www.designmiami.com
Meridian Ave. and 19th St., Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach
Bringing together the most influential collectors, gallerists, designers, curators and critics from around the world, Design Miami is the global forum for design. This year, participants will be welcomed by Drift, a floating environment compiled of massive inflatable tubes, resembling a topographical landscape in suspension. Furthermore, the design will feature a courtyard seating installation, which will act as a congregation point for visitors to relax, socialize and enjoy the view.

INK Miami Art Fair
December 5 - 9
www.inkartfair.com
Suites of Dorchester, 1850 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
Sponsored by The International Fine Print Dealers, the Ink Art Fair is unique among neighboring fairs for its focus on contemporary works on paper by internationally renowned artists. This fair in particular has attracted a loyal and large following of museum curators and collectors of works on paper. If you are interested in attending a smaller art fair and are seeking to purchase works on paper, INK Miami is the ideal fair of choice.

JustMad Miami
December 6 - 9
www.justmadmia.com
2136 NW 1st Ave., Miami
Taking place in SOHO Studios, Wynwood, JUSTMADMIA will showcase a complete selection of the youngest and most cutting edge art from Europe and Latin America. The event will feature 40 galleries, as well as the 2 programs Naked and Just Produce. Naked will present a collection of projects in open space, “free from certain materiality and weight.” Just Produced will showcase a collection of recently produced art in a “demanding competitive context.” Furthermore, a representation of El Mercado de San Miguel will offer Spanish cuisine to the American public.

Miami Project
December 4 - 9
www.miami-project.com
NE 1st Ave. & NE 29th St., Miami
Dedicated to quality, both in content and production, the inaugural Miami Project will present contemporary and modern art in Miami’s Midtown/Wynwood Arts District. An elegant and spacious environment will encompass presentations by 65 galleries from around the world selectively chosen based on the strength and relevance of their programs.

Miami River Art Fair
December 4 - 9
miamiriverartfair.com
Miami Convention Center at James L. Knight Center
400 SE Second Ave., Miami
The inaugural international contemporary art fair, Miami River Art Fair, will showcase world-class artists and galleries in an indoor booth setting and bring revitalization to the area surrounding the Miami River. The fair will be the landmark fine art event in the area and deliver cutting-edge projects, cultural institutions and visual art research initiatives throughout the fair. The event will also feature an outdoor Riverwalk Sculpture Mall, which will introduce guest to monumental, one-of-a-kind sculptures along the bank of the Miami River.

NADA Art Fair
December 6 - 9
www.newartdealers.org
The Deauville Beach Resort, 6701 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
The New Art Dealers Alliance is not-for-profit collective of professionals working with contemporary art. Their initiatives have made contemporary art available to the general public, as well as created opportunities for emerging artists, curators and galleries to grow. The fair will feature an international group of members comprised of both galleries and individuals and is most noted for its showcase of the youngest and strongest art galleries dealing with contemporary art. NADA Art Fair is the only major American art fair.

Overture | Miami
December 4 - 9
www.overtureartfair.com
Corner of Buena Vista & Midtown Ave., Miami
Presented by Arts for A Better World, this newly redesigned and enhanced international contemporary art form returns for its 3rd edition. This year, Overture will feature a special tribute exhibition to Andy Warhol, 100 Warhol, an Overview. The exhibition will celebrate the work of Warhol by showcasing 100 of his pieces including paintings, drawings, collages, and unique work on paper, trial proofs and edition prints. Comprised of six distinct themes: Flowers, Animals, Politics, Icons, Early Years and Late Years, the exhibition gives participants an opportunity to see some of the artist’s most iconic works.

Pool Art Fair
December 7 - 9
www.poolartfair.com
Sky House Marquis
1100 Biscayne Blvd, Miami
The 8th edition of Pool Art fair presented by Frere Independent will deliver an eclectic setting to both exhibitors and visitors as artists will showcase works in nine three-story townhouse on the 14th floor of the lavish Marquis around the swimming pool. Pool’s tradition is to present great artwork that is otherwise unrepresented at Art Basel Miami Beach.

Pulse Miami
December 6 - 9
www.pulse-art.com/miami
The Ice Palace Studios, 1400 North Miami Ave., Miami
Dedicated solely to contemporary art, PULSE Miami has gained notoriety for its showcase of geographically diverse collection of established and emerging galleries. The 8th edition of PULSE will take place at The Ice Palace Studios and will be divided into two sections: one section will be a mix of established and emerging galleries vetted by a committee of international dealers, while the other section (The IMPULSE) will present galleries invited by the committee to showcase solo exhibitions created by artists in the last two years.

Red Dot Miami
December 5 - 9
www.reddotfair.com
Wynwood Art District, 3011 NE 1st Ave. (at NW 31st St.), Miami
Red Dot Art Fair will introduce 90 international modern and contemporary art galleries featuring contemporary and secondary market photography, painting, sculpture, and works on paper in a lavish 60,000 sq. ft. venue. This year, the opening reception will benefit The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, an LGBT not-for-profit organization empowering the gay community. Furthermore, this year Red Dot is pleased to offer a unique selection of solo projects featuring the works of single artist projects.

Scope Miami
December 4 - 9
www.scope-art.com
110 NE 36th St., Miami
Scope Miami’s massive 100,000 sq. ft. pavilion will once again host an extensive collection of emerging works as SCOPE’s Breeder Program celebrates its 12th year of introducing new galleries to the contemporary market. The fair will feature 20 innovative Breeder Program galleries alongside 85 established international exhibitors. Furthermore, this year VH1 and Scope are collaborating to bring guests The VH1 Outdoor lounge, which will showcase new talent extending beyond contemporary art, music, fashion and design. Scope Miami is one of the most highly trafficked events and gateways to the Midtown Arts District.

Select Fair
December 5 - 9
www.select-fair.com
Catalina Hotel, 1732 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
Focused on progressive concepts in art, SELECT will transform 64 spaces in the Catalina Hotel into a high-energy, high-end collective gallery. Highlights of this year’s fair will include a Wynwood warm-up party with a live radio broadcast from Wynwood Radio, performance art by Grace Exhibition Space, NYC, guided VIP tours by Brady Dreasher, and a DJ and live music at SELECT parties. Also check out Belgian artist Michael Benisty’s installation, “Die to Live” street side in front of the Catalina. The mirror-polished stainless steel, 700lb skull sculpture will be encrusted with 345, 798 Golden-Black Swarovski Elements; the installation symbolizes the paradox between life and death.

Untitled
December 5 - 9
art-untitled.com
12th St. and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
Untitled inaugural’s launch will be held in a beachside pavilion under the direction of New-York based curator Omar Lopez-Chahoud and place emphasis on the quality of the viewer’s experience by surrounding guests with a compelling structure and engaging environment in which to view the 50 galleries participating. The event will highlight established and emerging galleries representing living artist with the most impact at the forefront of contemporary art.

Image Credit: Andrea Rosen Gallery | New York