Art Basel 2017: Miami's Largest Art Show Underway

MIAMI BEACH, FL — If you haven't caught on by now, there's more to Art Basel than just art. There's plenty of glitterati for the eyes, over-the-top parties and cool side events even if you can't tell a Picasso from a Van Gogh. This year's Art Basel runs from Dec. 7-10 so check out Patch's list of official — and not so official — events around the Miami area. Keep checking back to find additional events.

See also: Art Basel 2017: Awaken Your Senses

First the official events. In Miami Beach, these take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center, which is the main venue. But you'll also find exhibits in Collins Park, The Bass and New World Center's SoundScape Park. You'll need a ticket to get into the Miami Beach Convention Center, which isn't the case at the other Miami Beach locations.

Miami Beach Convention Center

If you do plan to take in the art — and by all means you should — you'll find more than 260 galleries and 4,000 artists from 31 countries displaying their works inside the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes because there's 500,000 square-feet of art in nine separate sections also referred to by organizers as sectors: Galleries, Nova, Positions, Edition, Kabinett, Survey, Public, Film and Magazines. If nothing else, the sections should keep you from wandering past the same modern and contemporary art exhibits twice.

The convention center is located at 1900 Washington Ave in Miami Beach. Call 786-276-2600 for more information.

Collins Park and the newly renovated Bass Museum of Art

This is what organizers refer to as the Public sector of Art Basel. It's free and open to the general public. Displayed here will be sculptures, site-specific artistic installations and also performance art.

Collins Park and the Bass Museum are located at 2100 Collins Ave across the street from the beach. The museum phone number is 305.673. 7530.

New World Center's SoundScape Park

This is also free. Here you'll find the Film sector of Art Basel probably because the building features a 7,000-square foot outdoor projection wall with really good sound.

New World Center's SoundScape Park is located at 500 17th St. Call 305.680.5866.

Basel, Lox and Cream Cheese Brunch

This event takes place on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon at Florida International University's Jewish Museum of Florida.

International Center of Photography curator Maya Benton will discuss the life and work of the late American journalist, Ruth Gruber in conjunction with the museum's exhibition: "Ruth Gruber: Photojournalist."

The presentation and brunch costs $18 for JMOF-FIU members; $25 for non-members but is free for Art Basel VIP Card holders if they RSVP.

Florida International University's Jewish Museum of Florida is located at 301 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach. Contact: Nany Cohen at 786-972-3164 or RSVP to info@jewishmuseum.com

Art Basel Artistic Showcase and Field Experiences at Jose de Diego Middle School Auditorium

This event takes place on Dec. 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The student showcase is meant to show global influences, cultural diversity and technological advances that have affected the world. Various materials, methods, concepts and subject matter will be explored.

Several Miami-Dade County public schools have been invited to participate in correlating field experiences by first viewing the exhibit and then engaging in active learning on site at the Wynwood Walls where students can truly be immersed in the Art Basel contemporary art learning experience. Participating schools include Santa Clara Elementary, Lillie C Evans K-8 Center, Jose de Diego Middle and iPreparatory Academy.

Jose de Diego Middle School Auditorium is located at 3100 NW 5th Avenue in Miami. Call Mabel Morales at 305-995-1930 or send an email to mmorales14@dadeschools.net.

Fantich & Young: Apex Predator/Darwinian Voodoo

This pop-up exhibit runs from Dec. 7 to Dec. 10 in Miami. Simulating a luxury lifestyle boutique, the exhibit incorporates multimedia sculpture, photographic prints and a promotional advertising campaign to present a primeval yet contemporary collection merging the creative disciplines of fine art, design and fashion.

The exhibit is presented by Barrett Barrera Projects, a St. Louis-based multidisciplinary consulting company specializing in arts, culture and contemporary fashion.

This pop-up exhibit will be located at 221 NW 23rd Street Miami.

In Miami Beach, attendees can use the free Venetian shuttle service or the water taxi service at Purdy Avenue dock.

The scheduled routes for the art fairs are as follows:

Art Basel, 1901 Convention Center Drive

• Washington Avenue south of 17 Street (South Beach Loop A/Clockwise and Collins Express)
• 17 Street west of Washington Avenue (South Beach Loop A/Clockwise, Middle Beach Loop and Venetian Shuttle)

Aqua Art Miami, 1530 Collins Avenue

• 15 Street and Washington Avenue (South Beach Loops A/Clockwise and B/Counterclockwise)

The Bass/Collins Park, 2100 Collins Avenue

• 21 Street and Collins Avenue (Middle Beach Loop and Collins Express)

Design Miami, 19 Street and Meridian Avenue

• 19 Street and Meridian Avenue (Middle Beach Loop)

Faena: 3201 Collins Avenue

• 31 Street and Collins Avenue (Middle Beach Loop and Collins Express)

Pulse, 4601 Collins Avenue

• 4525 at Collins Avenue (Collins Express)

Satellite Art Show, 7410 Ocean Terrace

• 73 Street and Collins Avenue (North Beach Loop and Collins Express)
• 75 Street and Collins Avenue (North Beach Loop)

Scope, 801 Ocean Drive

• 8 Street and Washington Avenue (South Beach Loop A/Clockwise and B/Counterclockwise)

Untitled, 12 Street and Ocean Drive

• 12 Street and Washington Avenue (South Beach Loop A/Clockwise)
• 11 Street and Washington Avenue (South Beach Loop B/Counterclockwise)

For a full list of routes, visit www.miamibeachtrolley.com or download the free, Miami Beach eGov app to track the trolley and Venetian shuttle in real-time.

Wynwood Yard, Miami

The Wynwood Yard presents a special Art Basel lineup. Wynwood Yard is located at 56 NW 29th St. in the Wynwood section of Miami. It is open from noon to 10 p.m. on Mondays. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to late night. The bar is open noon to 11 p.m. on Monday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday-Sunday. Tel: 305-351-0366.

Thursday, Dec. 7
Thursday starts with a bang from noon to close with Red Bull visiting in their vintage KOMBI truck and a Copperpoint Brewing Co. happy hour from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Then, starting at 8 p.m. till late, join The Nth Power all the way from their spiritual home in New Orleans as they bring one of the funkiest and most soulful sets you'll see all year. Local favorites Lemon City Trio warm up the crowd before the incredible performance. Channel the day’s artistic sensory stimulation into an evening of stellar musical vibes. The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP.

Also, Kids Dream Live Art is from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. presented by non-profit organization, Street Art for Mankind. Kids and adults will be fascinated as Brazilian artist Binho Ribeiro, transforms their dreams into artwork right in front of their eyes, while building awareness about child labor and trafficking. Donations raised via a silent auction benefit the organization and artist. RSVP for this free event here!

Friday, Dec. 8th
Friday’s Basel at The Yard sets the tone for the rest of the weekend with an Estrella Damm happy hour from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Snag a $25 Taste of The Yard ticket and enjoy generous portions of featured dishes from five different food concepts from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Then, starting at 7 p.m., fuel your energy with the eclectic vibes of the Electric Avenue party featuring Miami’s legendary Afrobeta on the Simple Vodka Stage. Take in the electro-R&B sounds of Millionyoung, an awesome set by EONS and DJ Lolo (co-founder of Sweat Records) spinning her musical knowledge on the decks. It's a stacked lineup of local electronic sounds. The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP.

Saturday, Dec. 9
Art Basel’s busiest day brings one of the most epic musical lineups to ever grace the Simple Vodka Stage at The Wynwood Yard. The day is jam-packed with collaborations like Sixpoint, LaCroix Water at The Yard from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., a living wall and sampling with Kombrewcha from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and a South Beach Brewing Company happy hour from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. to get your engines revved for the always funky Electric Kif featuring a cameo by vocalist Yellow Shoot. Then, Miami's own rising funk purveyors, Magic City Hippies bring the house down. Finally, take in an awesome set by Locos Por Juana with their Latin reggae vibes. Live musical performances start at 5 p.m. till late and are free but please RSVP here.

Stick around for Sound Off™ Silent Disco and dance the night away to your own beat from 11:45 p.m. till late ($10-$20). Tickets for Silent Disco are available here. You can also join in the tropical fun of a special Art Basel edition of The Yard’s resident Caribbean art and food fest, WYNcarib ($0 - $20) from midnight till late. Ladies, RSVP for free entry. Gents, $10 before midnight and $20 after so come early! This is a ticketed event which will only be open to ticket holders. RSVP here.

In addition to Saturday evening’s incredible live musical performances, The Wynwood Yard offers Art Basel festival-goers a chance to warm up, stretch their muscles and get ready for the day’s events with daytime events like Red Bike “Red Basel” pop-up from noon 12:30 p.m. and then again from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Choose from two half-hour slots for a pick-me-up break in the middle of the day and take an invigorating spin on a RedBike ride ($20 per half hour session). Get your tix here.

Early birds will get their creative namaste on with ArtASANA with Michelle Morgan of @michelle_scriptures in a Creative Meditation and Graffiti Mat Painting Workshop from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ($35 - $40). Snag your spot here.

Also, make sure to visit the newly launched Support Local Market at The Yard from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Located at the rear of the garden, the market, housed in a modified shipping container designed by Little River Box Company celebrates local craft, jewelry, home goods and clothing entrepreneurs. The Yard has an amazing line up of local makers curated for Basel weekend.

Also, visit the gorgeous brand new Little River Garden Box, a modified shipping container designed and operated by Little River Box Company, which focuses mostly on potted plants and nature-based gifts and home design items.

Sunday, Dec. 10
Start your Sunday by stretching your muscles with Fitbit Local’s Yoga Session from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Then, join us for a #BaselatTheYard edition of Reggae Sundays presented by Diplomático starting at 2 p.m. The Kulcha Shok DJs will be on deck spinning the best in reggae, dancehall, ska and more with special live musical performances by Ras Kokay & The Truth, Yard faves Jahfe, Long Island’s Oogee Wawa and Mighty Mystik & The Hard Roots Movements. Kids will channel reggae vibes into artistic creativity while painting on provided skateboards from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m Enjoy a frosty beverage or food from our resident culinary concepts and relax after a momentous weekend. More info available and RSVP here.

From 4 to 8 p.m., also enjoy a Guinness and Concrete Beach Brewery happy hour at The Bar at The Yard.

In addition, kids can let their urge to play with their food soar at Food Play for Kids with Earth Angel Outreach starting at 1 p.m. while you let your urge to shop Miami’s coolest selection of goodies and gifts by a carefully curated group of local artisans and entrepreneurs at the Support Local Market at The Yard from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

W Miami Presents: Sarah Bahbah’s First Ever Solo Exhibition

Thursday, Dec. 7

7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the W Miami at 485 Brickell Ave. in Miami

Known for her explicitly-transparent exploration of female voices, Bahbah’s raw storytelling style has developed a cult social following – the photographer’s profile is recognized as one of the most shared Instagram pages in the world. Showcasing select pieces at SCOPE Art Fair, Bahbah is bringing her wildly popular art series, “Sex and Takeout” to W Miami’s 50th floor Whisper Cocktail Lounge and WET Deck. Come peruse her entire collection, enjoy a live DJ set from the fabulous DJ Rosé, music director for Gilt and seen on Bravo’s Summer House.

RSVP to wmiami-events.eventbrite.com

Objets Nomades at Design Miami/2017

Dec. 6 to 10

Louis Vuitton presents from its Objets Nomades collection in the pavilion of Design Miami/2017, an exclusive turquoise-colored edition of the Bomboca Sofa, a new piece by Fernando and Humberto Campana. Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades is an ever-expanding collection of limited-edition, collectable furniture, which is inspired by the House’s historic Art of Travel, while reinterpreting its essential spirit. Driven by creativity, functionality and innovation for more than 160 years, Louis Vuitton has constantly anticipated fashion and kept pace with evolving lifestyles. This combination of the House’s savoir-faire and the talents of renowned designers has created inventive shapes, materials and products – a tradition that continues with the Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades. The Bomboca Sofa, named after sweets served at weddings and children’s parties in Brazil and meaning “very good,” is a modular piece that was originally inspired by cloud shapes and colorful round sea apples. The result is like a puzzle in which eight removable cushions are arranged in a rigid, leather-covered shell. The sofa features the same leather that is used by Louis Vuitton for its bags along with cushions made of textured fabrics and velvet in five different shades of blue and turquoise.

Design Miami is located at Meridian Avenue and 19 Street in Miami Beach. Tel: 305-572-0866. Visit designmiami.com.

Chance Encounters III

Dec. 6 to Feb. 4

Located at Loewe in the Miami Design District, this exhibit considers diverse mediums of fabric sculpture, ceramic and photography spanning the 1930s to present day. Shadows and the interplay of forms are the threads that tie together works in this third exhibition, as well as an enduring focus on craftsmanship which is central to the ethos of the Loewe Foundation.

Jonathan Anderson said: “Art and craft are always at the center of my creative process and these exhibitions are an exciting way of exploring artists that are important to me. I love the unexpected things that happen when people from completely different worlds are brought together, the antagonism can create something completely new.”

Loewe is located at 110 NE 39th St. in Miami. For more information call 305-576-7601.

Unseen – Interpretations With the Visually Impaired

Friday Dec. 8 10:30 a.m.

Four blind program participants from Miami Lighthouse for the Blind were read a description of the artwork entitled "Memorizing PCH." They were asked several questions about what they imagined the piece of art to look like. The feedback received was breathtaking and emotional, a testament to the humanity and uniqueness of each person. Artist Julian Smith listened to the recordings and created four unique pieces of art, bringing each person’s feedback to life.

The collaborators are now inviting people with sight to experience a deeper, empathetic connection with the blind through an Invisible Street Art Mural in the Wynwood Arts District where the art cannot be seen with the naked eye but felt through braille and then experienced through an augmented reality application.

The Wynwood Unseen Mural is located at 2600 North Miami Avenue in Miami.

Miami Traffic Alerts

The city of Miami will be hosting a number of events. As a result, the city warned motorists to be prepared to traffic disruptions.

Northwest 2nd Avenue will be open to pedestrian traffic only from Friday, Dec. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 10 to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Northwest 2nd Avenue will be closed to all northbound and southbound vehicular traffic between Northwest 22nd Street to Northwest 29th Street on the following dates and times:

• Friday, Dec. 8 from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 9 from 3 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 10 from 3 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Pay-By-Phone on-street parking will not be permitted from Friday, December 8th through Sunday, December 10th on the following streets:

• Northwest 2nd Avenue between 22nd Street and 29th Streets
• North Miami Avenue between 21st Street and 24th Street on the East side
• North Miami Avenue between 28th Street and 29th Streets

Uber and Lyft Pick-Up Locations

• Northwest 1 Avenue between Northwest 29th-28th Streets
• Northwest 5 Avenue between 23rd-24th Streets

Photo by Paul Scicchitano