Basel’s Best in Show: Our 2011 Awards!

04 December 2011
by Art Rubynstein

Admit it, you’re little tired. This was no ordinary Basel. Every marketing guru and PR genius in America decided to spend their event budgets in Miami this year and that translated to roughly 15 events each night. Some struggled, some prospered, and many stood out. Here are our 2011 Basel citations!

Best artist cameo: Damien Hirst, who stopped by a few bashes including the Swarovski dinner, Diddy hosted Mazzucco meal at Mr. Chow, and then swallowed some glow-sticks at White Cube.

Damien Hirst (Photo: BFAnyc.com)

Art & Commerce

04 December 2011
by Art Rubynstein

If you noticed, there were more notable fashion folks lurking around open bars of Art Basel Miami Beach than big artists. Still, there were some highlights. Brits Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin both made rare pilgrimage to South Beach. German stars Anselm Reyle and Josephine Meckseper both hosted bashes for Dior. Julian Schnabel quietly made rounds, and Richard Phillips presided over a party for his Exhibition A cocktail. Here are some of other notable art cameos.

Miami Vanities: How did Basel Turn into a Party Monster?

04 December 2011
by Art Rubynstein

Art Basel in Miami Beach isn’t what is used to be. It used to be a nice little four-day excursion to South Beach during an off-season, pre-holiday week in the city. Schedule used to be fairly straightforward: beach or pool in the morning, strolls through the fairs in the afternoon, some quiet dinner or cocktail in the evening. Elder collectors used to adore this itinerary. This year’s Basel in Miami has established itself as marketing Godzilla that’s now more reminiscent of LA Grammy gifting suites or New York Fashion Week. Is that a good thing? It might be if you love open bars, 2 AM after-after parties, aggressive hotel doors and cameos by Diddy and his security entourage.

This time around, it seemed like everyone was either planning something at Basel, hosting something at Basel, or attending at least 4 or 5 events a night for friends who’re hosting or planning something. This year’s random event coterie encompassed a Bing art opening for some Beverly Hills 90210 actress, a Russell Simmons hosted brunch, a Tiffany’s Dinner starring Ivana Trump. Then we had fashion pop up-shops (not all art related), hotel marketing ploys, alcohol initiatives, and that’s just the tip of the party hell iceberg.

No event (good or bad) was seemingly off-limits to the dozens of hungry crashers or curious tourists from Minneapolis. New York crasher Shaggy had a wonderful week in Miami. Every major hotel was flocked with events (with W or SoHo Beach house hosting up to 5 a night) and with crazies who were dreaming to take a picture with Nicky Hilton.

In short, this wasn’t your 2005 Basel with nightly dinners at Casa Tua and a nice little V Magazine party after. Basel in Miami is now a monster that was credited by many to revitalizing the relevance of the South Beach’s art and fashion scene. However this year’s scary giant seemed very destructive and very vodka thirsty.

The Best Gems of Basel: Where You’ll Party This Week!

25 November 2010
by Art Rubynstein

Sure, we all travel to Miami every December for the billion-dollar gallery maze at the Convention Center…and NADA, Seven, Ink, Pulse, and other wonderfully random fairs and exhibits. But who are we kidding?! All you really want to know is where the best parties are, right? Well, without further ado, here’s where you need to be eating, drinking, and getting Aby Rosen’s business card come next Tuesday.

November 30

Melissa bash at the Webster to celebrate a collaboration between the Brazilian plastic shoe giant and Italian Architect Gaetano Pesce. Lorenzo Martone is a co-host, so expect a lively, happy group to start your week of right.

The Jonathan Meese exhibit opens with the bash at MOCA (it’s worth the $35 cab ride). Bruce Weber will be on premises (his Little Haiti show opened few weeks ago at the institution) along with Ingrid Sischy and Sandy Brant. And all the hosts are very satisfied about the commutes this year. Why? Because Sischy and Brant usually stay at Weber’s home while in Miami.

Andre Balazs celebrates the US sea launch of The Aquariva, designed by Marc Newson at the Standard. The week’s favored (and often naughty) spa oasis will host plenty of bashes, but this is a nice little early evening tune up.

Nadja Swarovski and Craig Robbins celebrate Swarovski Crystal Palace and Design Miami with a big dinner at SoHo beach house. Do you remember Robbins’ BBQ feast at his house to celebrate the start of Basel? We sure do. Kim Heirston and Doreen Remen already booked their seats.

Your Comprehensive Art Basel Miami 2009 A-Z Memory Box!

13 December 2009
by Art Rubynstein

It took us a whole week to process four fairs, fifty-six events, and hundreds of faces we’ve encountered in Miami during this year’s Basel. Here’s your complete A-Z guide to places, works, and names you should keep in mind until the next craze fest kicks in.

Altmejd, David. The Canadian (!) delivered and we all wanted to keep staring at that strange Glasswalker mutant.  Well done, Andrea Rosen.

Ben & Jerry’s. Yes, the ice-cream maker finally joined the performance art derby by having thousands of people peacefully dancing on the beach to a John Lennon number curated by Natalie Kovac. Cherry Garcia lovers were rewarded for their efforts with sweets.

Chow, Eva and Michael. Most diners went into for lobster with ginger and left with a pocketful of business cards. Deals were made, every big name artist paid a visit to a brand new eatery, and Larry hosted his own big dinner on Mr. Chow premises.

Deitch, Jeffrey. Sure, we enjoyed the booth (Shepard Fairey and Miranda July were very strong) but it seemed like everyone had an even better time at Jeffrey’s Santigold concert at The Raleigh. Could the music promoter be his next big job title?

Efron, Zac. Yes, the High School Musical icon made it to Basel thanks to Richard Phillips’ Five Most Wanted Men series. It was sold almost immediately.

Fernández, Teresita. One of Maupin’s brightest stars and a Miami native had a strong week: cocktail party in Setai in her honor, strong reviews, and good Chelsea show momentum.

Geers, Kendell. That “F&%!” disco ball was pretty cool to look at.

Hirst, Damien. You might have heard of this fella.

Irwin, Robert. Two strong works (at Pace and White Cube). At 81, he can still knock it out of the park.

Your Ultimate Art Basel 2009 Top Event List!

01 December 2009
by Art Rubynstein

The entire art world, their loved ones, and the their pets will officially be on site on Collins Avenue tomorrow and the caravan of events and champagne toasts will begin. What’s worth your time? Here’ our top ten Basel events.

1) WHAT/WHEN: Aby Rosen, Tico Mugrabi, and Peter Brant dinner at Solea (Dec. 3)
WHY: Aby hasn’t shown off his W and Hirsts to his friends just yet. It’s a hot crowd, hotter Spanish dinner, and most worthy after-party of Basel hosted by curator best friends Vito Schnabel, Alex Dellal, and Stavros Niarchos. It will be a long night!

2) WHAT/WHEN: Larry Gagosian dinner at Mr. Chow (Dec. 2)
WHY: Do you even have to ask? Eva and Michael have booked this date with Larry months ago and he won’t disappoint. All media is kept off limits and no expense is being spared.

3) WHAT/WHEN: Jefferson Hack and Sir Norman Rosenthal bash at the Delano (Dec. 2)
WHY: The Brit will be joined by Aaron Young, Christian Louboutin, Ryan McGinley, and Mirabelle Marden. It’s worth your time!

4) WHAT/WHEN: Moncler dinner by Remo Ruffini in honor of Pharrell Williams (Dec. 4)
WHY: Miami resident Pharell is eager to raise his art cred and we’re happily obliging.

5) WHAT/WHEN: Victor & Rolf Party at The Webster (Dec. 4)
WHY: These Dutch dudes always got deserved respect from the art crowd and their Spring 2010 collection was eye-popping.

6) WHAT/WHEN: Whitney Museum Cocktail Party (Dec. 3)
WHY: Didn’t attend a Whitney Art Party? This is your chance to catch up with the friendly faces like Ryan McGinness and Lisa Anastos.

7) WHAT/WHEN: Francois Nars cocktail party for 15th Anniversary 15X15 project at the Standard (Dec. 2)
WHY: Naomi Campbell is coming and that should be good enough of a reason. Bonus points for Lorenzo Martone, who’s organizing.

8) WHAT/WHEN: Pucci Dinner at the Webster (Dec. 3)
WHY: Company’s creative director is hot and so are his leggy, socialite fans. The likes of Julia Restoin-Roitfeld already booked their seats.

9) WHAT/WHEN: STAGES event with Lance Armstrong and Nike at O.H.W.O.W (Dec. 3)
WHY: Their event in New York was a smash and Mr. Tour de France is back in Miami to showcase works of Tom Sachs, Erik Parker, and Richard Prince for charity.

10) WHAT/WHEN: SNOB Magazine Bash at Shore Club (Dec. 5)
WHY: The Russians know how to put up an event especially when the most exclusive magazine in the former USSR is involved.