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)

Boom Boom Basel!

27 November 2011
by Art Rubynstein

The tenth year anniversary of Art Basel Miami promises some of the finest gallery showcases to date…Who are we kidding?! You want to know about the parties, dinners, and cocktail receptions more than NADA and Pulse. Without further suspense, here’s are top bashes from the key 2011 Basel dates.

Tuesday, November 29
Dior and Gagosian will kick thing off to celebrate Anselm Reyle’s collaboration with the LVMH giant at The Moore Building in North Miami. And Dior has the week’s most ambitious party plan with its endless pop-up shop cocktails, free manicures, and free hangover breakfasts.

At Soho Beach House, Gagosian’s biggest competitor White Cube is hosting a chic casual dinner of it’s own with the biggest artists and collectors on the planet Earth, while Nadja Swarovski will host a meal in honor of the artist Erwin Redl downstairs. Aaron Young, Simon de Pury, Ron Arad, and Aurel Schmidt will all be on premises.

Ingrid Sischy and Sandy Brant of Vanity Fair International are teaming up Dewar’s and Donna Karan for their annual MOCA Miami blowout while, the Ferrari party with Peter Brant and Interview got so large that it’s been moved to the 1111 Lincoln Road garage (where Art Ruby hosted its bash last year). Marco Brambilla is showing his new installation at the high volume bash.

Wednesday, November 30
Still have energy? How about couple of fashion cocktail for BLK DNM (at Webster) and Bally (at the W)…Craig Robbins is hosting friends like Pharell Williams at his Star Island mansion while Dasha Zhukova and Wendi Murdoch will cook up the Art.Sy BBQ at the Soho Beach House. Interview hosts another bash tonight with Belvedere.

Thursday, December 1
In the mood for a concert? Salem is performing Gusman Center for the Performing Arts late at night, while Carlos de Souza and Vik Muniz will co-host a small cocktail at the Osklen store on Lincoln.

The main event will of course be the Aby Rosen’s annual spectacular party at the W with the dinner at The Dutch and Dom sponsored bash at the Wall that usually goes on till dawn. And everyone is coming, led by Naomi Campbell.

Friday, December 2
Bing will sponsor concerts by Theophilus London and Young the Giant at the Sanctuary Hotel, while Richard Phillips will host a bash with Exhibition A and Details at the Standard Spa on the other side of the island. Venus X will DJ at that party. Andre Balazs will host a Dzine installation with Kanon vodka few feet away.

Pringle of Scotland and Tilda Swinton cocktail re-unite this year for another big party in North Miami, while odd group of hosts like Jimmy Iovine, P. Diddy (!!!), Andy Valmorbida will come together for an awesome sounding dinner for Raphael Mazzucco at Mr. Chow. Also at the W? A nice little Emporio Armani cocktail after 10.

Saturday, December 3
Don’t know if you’ll make it till Saturday but our ping-pong buddies from Spin Galactic are hosting a wonderful party with MOCA at the Standard, while Gareth Pugh will storm into town for his own dinner with Byrdie Bell and Dewar’s.

Marco’s Evolution

06 December 2010
by Art Rubynstein

Anticipated co-host Marina Abramovic never made it to Miami for the screening of Marco Brambilla’s Evolution, but there were plenty of other attractions. For his part, Brambilla has had a pretty satisfactory Basel thanks to his brand new works at the W South Beach, and the strong reception to Evolution at the Standard Spa. The artist’s best friend Andre Balazs and Jefferson Hack hosted guests like Michael Stipe, Francisco Costa, and tattoo maestro Scott Campbell in watching a ten minute, Romeo & Juliet music infused 3D showcase. And who provided the special 3D glasses? That would be Armani, of course.

Oh Koh Can You See?

03 December 2010
by Art Rubynstein

Terence Koh’s South Beach Children of the Corn opens is in a little bit, but all the artifacts are already in place all over the W’s pool area, the Grove, and yes…the beach!

The Kitties Are Weeping for Tom!

02 December 2010
by Art Rubynstein

Brand new innovation at Basel this year? Weeping Hello Kitty Tom Sachs sculptures stationed outside of the W South Beach, expanded from the one last year which didn’t come complete with the fountain of tears. And why are these babies crying? Maybe because Sachs skipped Basel this year and they just can’t let go!

Live from Basel: Spotted at the W…

02 December 2010
by Art Rubynstein

What’s convention center? Everything is really happening at W South Beach these days. Here are yesterday’s spottings: Julian Schnabel holding court in the lobby, Steven Martin grabbing a drink before his book reading, Aby Rosen and Peter Brant having a breakfast at Solea together, Stefano Tonchi playing tennis on the seventh floor, and Larry Gagosian strategizing with Michael Chow minutes before his dinner.