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11/12/2007: "ANTICIPATING ART BASEL MIAMI"

I don't know what it is about international art fairs, but there's something about them that wakes me up and puts me into this almost hyper-aware state. Everything seems super-clear and my senses become extra-sensory. Suddenly, I become ... ARTMAN! Stand back! There's no art beyond my reach! Of course, it's beyond my wallet, but not my craving.

I expect this to be the case when I attend the upcoming Art Basel Miami Beach in about three weeks. I went in 2005, but didn't go last year which I regret. This time, my flight has long been booked, along with lodging and car rental. There's no way to get around Miami for all of the art action without a car. I've rented a simple, standard car for the week. I just need to get from Point A to Point B ... with myself and the car intact.



Anyway, after attending in 2005, you may recall that I wrote about it here on absolutearts.com. I called Art Basel Miami Beach, "The Superbowl of Art." Looking back, I think that still holds up. I've been flipping though some art magazines lately and have discovered that there are about twenty (20) separate art fairs going on during Art Basel week in Miami. Incredible. How can a self-proclaimed art lover pass that up? You just save up your pennies and you find a way to go!

Although it's still a baby, Art Basel Miami Beach already has a reputation of being a status-seeking, wealthy person's event. Such is life. I'm sure that it costs loads of money to stage this spectacular, so you have to attract well-heeled clients, patrons and sponsors. However, this doesn't bother me. Yes, I'm a poor art collector, but I doubt many visitors will have more fun than me. I'm actually going there for the art! I'm currently writing my third book (my second book, "The Art of Everyday Joe: A Collector's Journal" will be out in Jan-Feb) and there are some things that I want to write about during my visit.

Oh, I'm also on vacation. I always take an "art trip" for vacation so this will be a great one. I plan to have lunch/dinner with artists Bruce Noel Mortenson and Deborah Bigeleisen and chat with some folks from the Jan Krugier Gallery and just relax. Of course, Miami will be a jungle. Parking will be hell, the lines will be out the door, the city will be packed, but alive with energy. I accept these things as part of the experience. Who wants a quiet Superbowl?

Isn't it amazing that we live in a society where so many people are seeking ways to be more creative? Uh, hello! Visit an art fair! It's doesn't have to be Art Basel. It can be an art fair in your own community. Artists are everywhere. If you do art fairs correctly, your brain (if not your wallet) should go into overdrive. New ideas should be spinning. The art might even inspire you to change your life in some way. Suddenly, you decide to try that new restaurant or go to Kenya or run a marathon or dump your girlfriend or help the homeless. Whatever the case may be. Such is life. You may not actually buy the art, but you buy into it. The spirit of that bad-ass painting makes you also go out and buy that black, leather biker jacket that you've been wanting. What others think is of little consequence. The art is rocking you, baby. I'll let you know how my trip goes.

Yes, art fairs are busy, crazy, hectic and maddening. Obviously, selling art is the whole point. However, art fairs are also incubators of creativity, insight, culture and sometimes genius. Just as God intended. Heaven.

MICHAEL CORBIN IS AN AVID ART COLLECTOR AND AUTHOR OF "ART IN KING SIZE
BEDS: A COLLECTOR'S JOURNAL." CHECK IT OUT AT WWW.ARTINKINGSIZEBEDS.COM

Replies: 14 Comments

on Saturday, December 1st, Patrick Doyle said

I'ts nice to be able read so many people's wonderful thoughts and feelings about this phenomenon Art Basel Miami. I went last year with maybe a week and a half notice, never even hearing about it until then. My "rep" reserved a room at the Bridge Art fair and bought into an alternative space called Grendel.
The Bridge Art fair was at the Catalina Hotel and Beach Club, in all of it's shagarific two story landbound cruise ship glory, on Collins Ave, maybe a block and a half from the beach. Grendel was across the bay in Miami; an old bright green supermaket amoungst warehouses, a great Jamacian chicken joint and the Rubell Family Collection.
I had no idea what to expect, except that here was an opportunity to show my art to a buying crowd.
My "rep" got me a plane ticket out of Newark and a rental truck shared by at least two other galleries out of Brooklyn with drivers. I scrambled together two sculptures from my local upstate NY gallery owner, built two pieces and grabbed one I had kicking around. These I drove six hours, dropped them off at where the truck would get them, crashed at my "rep's" place and drove back the next day, only to drive back in a few days to catch the flight to Miami.
I arrived and was shown what had to be done: take a filthy, old, neglegted, "super"market and turn it into an art space, which with amazing effort we did. We lugged, pressure washed, shop-vacced, filled a dumpster, built walls, had lighting put in, bought beer and opened within a couple hours or a day when planned. This was all done with a team of folks I had never met before and I was never sure who was an artist, gallery owner, or truck driver, but in most cases they were all the same.
At the same time I helped set up the room at the Bridge Art fair, which meant squirmming through traffic in a rented minivan filled with art, unloading, hanging, general last minute errand running, etc, all while trying to look cool while ordering a four dollar can of Coke at the hotel lobby bar.
Honestly, I skipped the Art Basel Miami show at the convention center and went to the beach. I figured I had traveled all that way and worked my ass off, I wasn't gonna not go to the beach and jump in the ocean. Granted, I had my cell phone on me and took calls from interested collectors while crouching to get out of the wind behind lifeguard towers.
This was pretty much all new to me, but if it's for art, I'm game. I ended up selling two pieces. one I owned and one that belonged to my gallery dealer in Rochester, NY. The prices were great for upstate NY and great for Miami. One deal closed at the end of the day on the last day and we had to deliver and take a discount; all part of the game. The other deal closed months later. I have yet to recieve all of my cut which includes my local dealers cut, but one learns that there is only so much that one can do and still remain human. Keep on keepin' on like a bird that flew, tangled up in blue (B. Dylan) It all works out.
I spent maybe $500 staying alive for the week inclunding awesome vintage&thrift store shopping and all-night rice and beans. I'd do it all in a second and then some, believe me, i got some ideas, but it doesn't look like it's gonna happen this year. I guess that's why I'm sitting here reminicing instead of working my ass off. Have fun, go see everything, viva the ArtMan in everyone.

on Thursday, November 22nd, john said

Well, I cannot afford any of those art pieces too. But hell, walking around in such an invironment gives me a lot of inspiration!

on Tuesday, November 20th, olivier said

Funny name, that was was such a good show in Swizterland in the 70's. Anyway Miami is hot, is it really a good place for art? Sure they dream to be, but...
Andrew: what are these European galleries? I don't get the point, even if you will ignore it, yourself or represented what is the problem? So we will see your work there?
Even if Miami is what it is, it is pretty well covered by the media, some artist see redemption into it. I see that as lethargie and time will be soon to wake up guys. Media lost track.

on Saturday, November 17th, anna keiller said

Artfairs are fine if you have a plan and know how to navigate among the exhibitions/galleries. I would love to go to Miami - who wouldn't! but as I live in England I am looking forward to the 20/21 art fair at the Royal College in London in Feb. Last year was fabulous!

on Thursday, November 15th, jose said

Lisa, I'm sure that even the 'hardliners' amongst us here, myself included, wish you the best of luck and the greatest success. Hope you'll post a comment when you're back in NYC, for us artists back here in aa it would be very interesting to read your thoughts and your feelings on the experience you are about to embark on. I sincerely hope you manage to break-through and prove us wrong.

on Wednesday, November 14th, Lisa Ferguson said

Here's my deal. I'm a New Zealand artist, based in New York. I'm heading down to Art Basel for the first time and have no idea what to expect. I've read some articles and it certainly sounds like it will be an experience. Hoping to meet some contacts. If you can recommend anywhere that is a must go, I would appreciate it.

on Wednesday, November 14th, Megzila said

Mmmmmmmiami? That sounds great...

I always went to artfairs with my mom when I was younger, I actually loved it. My mom used to have a booth, and we would take turns watching it...

I was appalled with how much some of the stuff costed. But it was all amazing.

It's just like a big, exciting museum if you don't buy anything. Haaha.

on Wednesday, November 14th, Odette said

Hi Michael,

I have never been to Art Basel Miami....I went in 2005 to Art Miami and I loved the feeling there and I got to know some amazing artists.
Being in an Art Fair is quite an experience, because I do think that we may find a bunch of great things (although there is a lot of crap too) and real art always has a kind of aura around and we might feel those vibrations.
Nevertheless I completely agree with José and Andrew. What kind of artists we are if we have to pay to get our work exhibit?
I have also got a lot of offers like that, and I have never accepted to show my work in a gallery or a fair in which I have to pay.... I do agree that a % commision shall be taken from the pieces I sell, but paying for exhibiting as José wrote is cheap.
Please let us know your impressions after Art Miami Basel!
Enjoy it!!!!

Odette

on Wednesday, November 14th, Jean Marie Bowcott said

Great Blog! Michael I know what you mean about the high energy and excitment of Bigtime Art Fairs. I have attended many and found Art Basel in Switzerland to be one of the best.
I am considering attending Art Basel Miami, 2007 but ...hotel space is difficult to find at present unless one spends a $1000,00 a night! at the Delano!
Any advice or recommendations?
I am personally very interested in other artists work, as I also collect.
I will look forward to purchasing your books.

A fresh view on Art Fairs is a good thing!

on Wednesday, November 14th, Ellen said

I love art fairs, although I'm not sure that I would want to participate in one of that size. I am involved with 3 small fairs a year: Bleaker Street, White Plaines & this week-end, a fair in Huntington, LI. Although there is little glory in these tiny (as compared with Miami or ArtExpo) fairs, I enjoy getting feedback from the public. My etcher friend, Steve Breslow, got me a tent and a space and it works for us: a day of smoozing with the public and each other. There is NEVER a return on the time, money and effort that goes into these things, for me anyway.
I fell in love with Miami three years ago when stopping by there by chance. My husband and I went to visit my 100-year-old father-in-law in Plantation and I wanted to see Miami again after my last visit 30 years ago. It's a FABULOUS place for its beauty and energy! I envy you Michael! I LOVE huge art fairs (as a visitor)! I ALWAYS pick up GREAT ideas & make new friends....some friendships have been real keepers! Artists helping artists! Debra, Fairchild Gardens (visited on my last trip) is a WONDER! MAGNIFICENT!! Michael, can't wait for the new book! Have a GREAT TIME!

on Wednesday, November 14th, jose said

Very difficult choice indeed. One more thing to add to all you've said, Andrew, participation in such venues when paid for comes tarnished, it is not even something we can claim much glory to: the critics and people in the know do their homework, they know which ones are the gallery staple artists and which have paid their way in, and even if they're not 100% sure, the galleries, as you say, make sure it is understood through such subtle things as 2nd choice placement and lighting over which we have no say. If you pay for it it’s not even worth appearing in your exhibition history, I would say it looks rather cheap. As in every field in life there are many different battle grounds and we have to know which one we are competing in and win there first unless you fancy being taken for an upstart and an arriviste. Of course we would all like our work to be seen and wouldn't it be great to believe that someone will actually come up to that booth and be hooked, but it all sounds like a dodgy bargain to me… unless of course conditions change and you find yourself being taken there, victorious.

on Wednesday, November 14th, Andrew said

Well Michael, what you're talking about puts artists into a crossroads situation. Do I follow the crowd, and work my way into ArtBasel, or do I try something where I'm all alone? I got a few proposals from European galleries to have work in their stands at ArtBasel, for $700.00 plus a nominal price per piece, twenty dollars or so.
What this means is, that stands being as expensive as they are, galleries are looking to artists to help them pay the costs. The people who contacted me did not even know I was a marble sculptor. That says volumes about what they knew about the quality of my work.
If I go, then I can say I was in ArtBasel, which has its merits. But I won't be in control of space, lighting, or surroundings, unless I buy the booth myself. My work won't be at its best, especially if I'm just there to help foot the bill. I'll be second string to the artists who the gallery really represents.
On my own, I must do it all. I will have to attract the public myself, create a new way to pull them in, set up the lighting, arrange the work, and try to sell it. After that, I'll have to make sure the check clears before I deliver the work.
It's a lot of effort. Maybe it would just be better to hope someone else was going to do it for me, with my interests in their heart. A difficult choice.

on Monday, November 12th, Debra Cortese said

Greetings Michael -
I moved to Miami 5 years ago from Kingston, NY (where art thrives among the historic landmarks along the Hudson)
Miami is full of an almost tangible energy, a city on the edge of reinventing itself. The arts are very alive here and in Broward County. If you have the time, be sure to visit the Design District, Wynwood and even the Roy Lichtenstein exhibit at one of my favorite places in Miami, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, a bit out of the Art Basel area, but the most awesome 83 acres of nature in Miami!
Look forward to your blog after the trip!
Best Regards,
Debra Cortese
www.debracortese.com

on Monday, November 12th, Hermes Hernandez said

Well...ARTMAN,I love Miami just for vacation if I got Money...You make me smile with your fresh Journal.You not going to find my ART there,so Iam not worry.When you get some free time check my Art Work in myspace.com or at famesource.com it will take you seconds.Thanks for being here.
Hermes Hernandez
Artist Painting
New York