Art Basel 2018

Since 2002 Art Basel has graced us with its presence in Miami's South Beach. I won't go into too much of the history, but to say I was lucky enough to attend my first in 2010. 2018 marks my third year back, and oh, how She's grown! There are about a dozen sizable satellite shows in both South Beach and Downtown Miami with enough nighttime events to make it seem like you were at Winter Music Conference! ​Yet, the show still spans the same amount of days. Ugh. With so much to see, and so little time, my plan was targeted; discover as many unconventional artists and new art forms as possible . Below are some of my findings.

Lucky to see so many shows with my mother-in-law, Sener Taciroglu who is an amazing artist. This is the second time she's come out to Miami for Art Basel!

Artist: Doug Powell
Old computer keys arranged into Salvador Dali. Bonus word search arranged into the piece. AYFKM?

Artist: Giuseppe Penone
Lips made from Acacia thorns. Eeyowch!

Artist: VHILS
Styrofoam and street poster "relief" pieces. The artist, Alexandre Farto aka VHILS creates art by "taking away" rather than "adding to" the proverbial canvas.

Artist: Isabelle Scheltjens
Beautiful pieces of handmade glass creating a digital, at-first-glance appearance. She doesn't use any adhesives in the process. Her technique uses high heat which melts the pieces together forming each work of art.

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I tried to pay attention to what types of light-centric art were being featured this year. There wasn't much, but more than previous years. 1. I truly appreciated its utility - the artist integrated an AC outlet and USB port into the frame. 2. This one didn't do much except change colors, but the construction showed superior craftsmanship. 3. Exposed fluorescent lighting is not, in any way, pleasing as an art form. Is it cool because it's a light box? You tell me.

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Clockwise from top/left: 1. Powder coated steel - layered & bent. 2. Polymer, pigment and formed aluminum with all manner of randomness oozing; by Miles Jaffe. 3. This was one of my favorite artists, Sip Tshun Ng, a Florida resident who uses pencils to adorn his illustrations. Stunningly simple. 4. Enormous wall installation by Gregor Hildebrandt of cut and mounted vinyl records.

Artist: WhisBe
"Back to School shopping / Youth Vests"

​The most disturbing and relevant art I saw at the Fair this year. Oh, and He's a Burner.

Wynwood Walls and Beyond: Seriously, you'd be hard pressed to find a surface in the Wynwood neighborhood that isn't painted with a remarkable work of art. I don't know enough about the area's history to know if the explosion of art coincided with Basels' annual fair. If you have any insight on this I'd love to hear your comments. It's the best urban canvas I've ever come across!

I'll close out with this: The final day was spent with my favorite art appreciator, playmate and instigator of all things good, Baran Dilaver. This was shot in one of the Curio installations at Design Miami. Though his favorite at this particular show was the exhibitor, Southern Guild, an African design gallery and Labor champion who employs locals in the handcrafting of each piece. Their featured Artist & Architect, Porky Hefer created insanely original furniture that was tempting to crawl into after the long week we had!

I should mention, a big reason for heading out this year was in support of my husband, Baran's launch party (one of the many events circling around this town capturing Art Basel's diverse audience).  

His new cannabis-focused VC fund, AccessX, along with Partner Pablo Solano hosted a humdinger of a show! Wise and adventurous investors were treated to a dinner featuring "Nikkei" (Japanese culinary technique with Peruvian flavor) by Michelin Star Chef Jorge Muñoz.

Everything you'd ever want to know about the inner-workings of the cannabis industry were on display that night + a few shenanigans thrown in. An all-female DJ line-up delighted the open-air rooftop of a stunning penthouse owned by one of Miami's key influencers, Kimberly Diamant in Miami's Wynwood district. The night didn't end until, well, sunrise.

My hopes are to appear at one of the magnificent shows of Art Basel with a new lightbox collection. The ideas are already swirling around in my head!