The sheer number of fairs, art openings and events in Miami during the city's annual art week can be overwhelming even to a veteran attendee. Here we rounded up the best events not to miss if you are headed to Miami this year:
Fairs
Art Basel: The fair that launched Art Week, Art Basel, returns for its 17th year in Miami to show the work of world's top galleries in South Beach. Booths not to miss include Kasmin for a series of landscapes by Milton Avery, Gladstone for new and recent works by Wangechi Mutu (her bronze sculptures are currently installed in front of the Met), and Pace for Echoes, an exhibition pairing new works by contemporary artists with 20th century figures, including Robert Rauschenberg, Sam Gilliam and more.
Design Miami: The design counterpoint to Art Basel, Design Miami brings together the cutting edge in new design and décor. The highlight of the fair includes the many collaborations between designers and fashion houses and other luxury companies that focus on environmental issue. Don't miss the Balenciaga sofa, made out of discarded Balenciaga clothing, Swarovski's Water installation, and ROOTS by Delta, a pavilion that takes the shape of a cocoon of mangrove roots surrounding a gathering space where visitors can experience the immersive documentary SACRED COCA.
Pulse Art Fair: Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, Pulse aims to create an oasis of calm in the midst of the art week madness at Indian Beach Park with 65 international galleries.
CADAF: The second edition of CADAF (Contemporary And Digital Art Fair)is returning to Wynwood and explores the future of the digital art market.
Art Miami: Art Miami has been one of the world's leading fairs for modern and contemporary art since it began 29 years ago. Each year, the fair brings together the top galleries, artists, collectors, curators and art aficionados worldwide for a week of innovative exhibitions, installations and events.
NADA: The New Art Dealers Alliance will showcase a broad range of diverse and contemporary artists and host book signings, performances, conversations and special projects at Ice Palace Studios in downtown Miami.
INK Miami Art Fair: For both amateur and veteran collectors, prints are an excellent and affordable way to collect art. The INK Miami Art Fair offers a wide range of works on paper including new and noteworthy editions.
Museums
Rubell Museum: The big news this year is the Rubell Museum's new space in Allapattah, which opened December 4 with an inaugural exhibit that celebrates the Rubells' 50 years of collecting and their impact on the Miami art scene. Highlights of the exhibit include Cindy Sherman's Untitled Film Still (#21)(1978); Jeff Koons' New Hoover Convertible(1980); Keith Haring's Statue of Liberty (1982); George Condo's K-9 Explosion (1986); and Kerry James Marshall's Untitled(1998-1999) and two immersive works by Yayoi Kusama, including Where the Lights in My Heart Go (2016) and INFINITY MIRRORED ROOM – LET’S SURVIVE FOREVER (2017).
ICA Miami: The Institute of Contemporary Art Miami opened in the Design District in 2017 and this year will presents the most comprehensive museum survey to date of contemporary multimedia artist Sterling Ruby, including over 100 works spanning more than two decades of the artist’s career. Yayoi Kusama's highly Instagrammable All the Love I Have for Pumpkins Infinity Room is also on show in the Design District through January 31, 2020.
Perez Art Museum Miami: The city's iconic art museum PAMM will feature an exciting exhibit by Miami native Teresita Fernández titled Elemental, a monumental retrospective featuring more than 50 of the artist’s large-scale sculptures, installations, and mixed media works that challenge definitions of landscape and the psychology of looking. Jorge Perez, the founder of the museum, has also recently opened El Espacio 23, a repurposed warehouse that will offer exhibitions from the Perez collection and shared artist studios.
Pop-Ups
Les Lalanne Gardens at the Raleigh: Behind the Raleigh Hotel, is a lush garden adorned with the whimsical animal designs of Francois-Xavier and Claude Lalanne. Beyond a flock of their iconic sheep and a gorilla that holds court against a leafy backdrop, are ponds and nooks where Les Lalannes' fish, owls and turtles appear.
Faena Festival: The second annual Faena Festival: The Last Supper will explore the intersection of food, spirituality, and contemporary art through a series of installations and programs throughout the entire FaenaDistrict, as well as public spaces and waterways along Miami Beach, including videos and films, commissioned installations, and a supper series.
W South Beach Bungalows: There will be a number of art-focused bungalows at the beachfront W South Beach, but a highlight is the ArtSuite by SmithDavidson Gallery and Uniq Luxury will feature daily changing exhibitions where you’ll find a broad collection of contemporary art featuring artists such as Gerhard Richter, Banksy, Robert Indiana, Paul Rousso and Gavin Rain.
The Art Plug Power House: Known for his eclectic taste, creative vision, and ability to connect artists in different ways to create unique experimental showcases, Marcel Katz (aka The Art Plug) has conceptualized an adaptive cultural experience celebrating the arts through live installations and interactive environments with The Art Plug Power Houser Experiential Art Fair at the Citadel.
