Spot Challenge Pit Stop #4: Athens

18 January 2012
by Art Rubynstein

It took us 16 hours, and practically 3 continents to get to Athens with a stopover at Doha along the way. The Qatar capital will soon host a huge Murakami exhibit, but for now, all we had to play with was the terminal, that reminded us of the Middle Eastern version of LaGuardia. Though it has to be said: those elite traveler shuttle buses are mighty impressive.

But back to Athens… It’s a strange time for a Greek capital with widespread talks of defaults and national bankruptcy. Yes, the folks might be scared but they still have the Parthenon and Acropolis here, and now their very own Gagosian to boot. The Greek outpost is located on the magically named Merlin Street and it’s very intimate to say the least. There are only 6 Hirst works on display, and yet like in every other Gagosian location, a focused guard is fiercely watching over the pieces in every room (seriously, what was the security budget for this thing?).  The gallery attendants also get gold stars for being the friendliest so far on our journey.

Merlin Street is also filled with orange trees that can be found on every decent street corner (instant Hong Kong déjà vu!) and the art scene is showing promises. The Greek Gagosian girls kindly recommended us few shows: Jonathan Meese effort at Eliades, 20th century Russian painters show at a beautiful B & M Theocharakis Foundation (pictured), and a strong group effort at Rebecca M. Camnhi gallery (that featured works by Ross Bleckner and Nan Goldin among others).

And then of course our hotel concierge named Alexandro recommended a wonderful soulvaki place on Byron, which might be the greatest piece of art of them all.

Hits and Meese at Miami’s MOCA!

01 December 2010
by Art Rubynstein

Miami’s MOCA opened tonight with their standard insane opening. Why so crazy? Well, it evidenced by thousands of guests (most were North Miami residents), police escorts, a giant garden party, and few huge names stacked in between. And we still love going all the way to 100-something street for the bash that gets things started every year. Here are the highlights….

Notables: Little Haiti exhibitor, Bruce Weber, Andre Balazs, Sante D’Orazio, and Linda Yablonsky.

Best poser award: Hosting artist Jonathan Meese who posed with just about anyone who asked while channeling his inner Zoolander at the same time.

Best outfit: Japanese performance artist Ken Hamazaki’s signature, scarlet ensemble…

Parting gift you can’t actually read: Italian Vanity Fair (night’s sponsor) along with every other edition.

Most devoted Basel schedule honor: Ingrid Sischy and Sandy Brant who are flying back to Gotham tomorrow (to host a Prada dinner), only to return to action in Miami on Thursday. And Brant is doing all of this on crutches!

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.