Art Basel Miami Beach 2008 Preview

2 December 2008

by Ariston Anderson

For anyone who has been to Miami Art Basel, the biggest art event of the year in the States, they know that walking the giant halls of the Miami Beach Convention Center, surrounded by some of the best galleries in the world, can be a near religious experience. And veterans know that some of the most amazing new art lies outside of the main halls in any one of the various satellite fairs, from Aqua Wynwood and Pulse to Bridge. Cool Hunting will be on the ground in Miami this year to bring you the latest and greatest in new art and design, but first, a preview of the shows and events we're most excited about. Click on the map of the Wynwood Arts District to see an enlarged version, including balloons indicating street art that's part of Primary Flight, a new fair in the mix.

Scope
The duo behind FriendsWithYou, Sam Borkson and Arturo Dandoval III, are turning the lobby of Scope Miami into a giant interactive "Fun House" complete with giant creatures, an anthropomorphic bounce house and plenty of other pop art toys. It's the perfect exhibit to leave your kids at while you peruse the more serious works at Scope.

While you're there be sure to check out Shepard Fairey's solo show at booth 370, presented by Jonathan LeVine. Fresh off the heels of his iconic Hope graphic for Presidential elect Barack Obama, this new body of work is a must-see for Fairey's high graphic style.
SCOPE: 3-7 December, 2951 NE 1st Ave
Cincinnati's Country Club

Cincinnati’s Country Club will showcase new work from Cheryl Dunn, Jacob Dyrenforth, Barry McGee and SIMPARCH at the Nada Art Fair
. The fair will also feature live performances every day on a special stage, designed by art collective SIMPARCH and Chris Vorhees, an iconic band shell featuring geodesic building principles which transforms in response to active and stagnant states. Don’t miss the Thursday performance which features ROM (Matt Crum and Roberto Lange) scoring a David Ellis’ motion painting.
3- 7 December, 1400 North Miami Avenue

Primary Flights
For the second year in a row, Primary Flight hits the street of Miami with a curated show of graffiti writers and street artists including Blackbooks, Chris Stain, Crome, David Choe, El Mac, Ewok, Logan Hicks, Michael De Feo, MSG, Ron English, Sabar and many more. The pieces will be installed throughout the streets of Wynwood. Click here for a map to create your own tour. Additionally, Primary Flight artists will be repainting Miami's Wall of Fame, featuring the best Florida writers around.

Check it out at Miami's RC Cola Plant: 550 NW 24th Street
4 December 2008 at 7pm

Carmichael Gallery
The Carmichael Gallery of Los Angeles will be putting on a huge show at the Gen Art Vanguard New Contemporary Art Fair. Featured artists include street artists who have crossed over into the gallery and auction world, including Eine, Flavio Samelo, Flip, Know Hope, Labrona and The London Police. Like any good Gen Art event, they'll be hosting a party the night of 5 December 2008.

Tickets are $20 for general admission, $40 for VIP. To purchase tickets go to Gen Art.
4-7 December 2008, 2135 NW 1st Avenue

If you're already in Miami, tonight you can check out the opening of It Ain't Fair, brought together by NYC's "Downtown Don" Aaron Bondaroff. The show will bring together work by over thrity artists, brought by galleries like Deitch Projects, Peres Projects, Nueva Galeria De La Barra and Picturebox and TV Books, as well as some amazing curators like Tim Barber, Kathy Grayson and Terence Koh. It Ain't Fair takes place in Our House West of Wynwood, (O.H.W.O.W.) which is guaranteed to feature some amazing multimedia exhibitions as well as performances by A.R.E. Weapons, JD Samson, TV Baby and The Gossip, just for starters.