Should have posted this a few weeks ago. I was able to go down to Miami for Art Basel this year to check out it’s organization, the gallery players, the kinds of works shown, and the kinds that sell. Essentially, it’s a trade show for gallerists to hock their artist’s wares. I wasn’t too impressed with the show at the Miami Convention Center, partly because the works there were predictable (though of high quality) and partly because the patron atmosphere there bordered on caustic – I’ve never seen so many vile people struggle to look glamorous and important.

The Wynwood district in midtown Miami was a very different experience. Many of the old gentrified commercial buildings had large murals recently painted, and frankly that’s how every city should look. Patrons were younger, more enthusiastic, and more diverse (both in background and income). The various venues included the expected ‘high art’ works, but also many new and unconventional works. If you get the chance to go in the years to come I recommend you focus your attention in midtown.

Yarn-bombed building (possibly Olek) with sculpture artist Phil Gleason in foreground.