Ramona Rosales, Half Empty, 2014, archival pigment print. Copyright the artist. Courtesy of De Soto Gallery. At PULSE Miami Beach.
Eat, Drink, and Sleep Art in Miami 2015
No matter how long you plan to spend in Miami during Art Basel week, there is never enough time. Especially with those pesky physical necessities like food, water, and sleep, conspiring to take you away from the art -- even for a moment. Luckily there are plenty of opportunities to combine these activities with art viewing. Below we've compiled a short list of events, installations, and performances where you can kill two birds with one stone. Because every minute you spend waiting for the check in an overpriced Miami Beach restaurant, or standing in line for a subpar Cuban sandwich, or waving down a bartender for an $11 can of beer, or, well, sleeping in your hotel, is time you're not spending with the art that you came to Miami for in the first place.
Eat
Soshiro Matsubara, Floating ice cream (strawberry milk), 2015, mixed media on canvas, 43 x 32cm. Courtesy of XYZ Collective. At NADA Miami.
It is too easy to forget to eat when inundated with Miami madness. Sure, you could just opt to grab a bite to eat at whichever art fair you find yourself at around brunch-, lunch-, or dinner-time, but we think that should usually be an option of last resort. And trying to decide on a restaurant nearby can sometimes take up a lot of precious time. During Art Basel week, there is an absolute plethora of opportunities to combine art, snacks, and socializing. So much so, that we often plan our whole week around where we can score the best food and see the best art at the same time.
Pro tip: Just in case, always keep a Clif bar or some other emergency snack in your purse or pocket.
Luis Cruz Azaceta, Shifting States - Egypt, 2011. Courtesy the artist and Little Haiti Cultural Center.
Little Haiti Cultural Center, The Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance Brunch
Friday, December 4th, 2015 - 10am to 12pm
260 NE 59th Terrace, Miami
On Friday, start your day with some brunch at the Little Haiti Cultural Center while experiencing the art of renowned artists emerging from the Caribbean, curated by artist Edouard Duval-Carrie and museologist Jorge Luis Gutierrez. Then spend some time exploring Miami's newest art neighborhood.
Alan Sonfist installing his sculpture at the Sagamore Hotel, Miami Beach, 2015. Courtesy of the artist and the Sagamore Hotel. Photo: Kristopher Taplin.
Sagamore, The Art Hotel, Annual Art Basel Brunch
Saturday, December 5th, 2015 - 8:30 am to 1 pm
1671 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
The Sagamore Hotel's Annual Art Basel Brunch is one of the most rewarding Art Basel event of the week, and the one with probably the best food. This year the hotel will feature a new Electronic Arts Intermix installation, curated by Lori Zippay, and a site-specific installation by landscape sculptor Alan Sonfist.
Spencer Finch ice cream cones. Courtesy of Spencer Finch and James Cohan, New York.
Spencer Finch, Ice Cream in Midtown Miami
Wednesday December 2nd - Saturday 5th, 1 - 8pm
3401 NE First Avenue, Midtown Miami
After checking out midtown fairs like Art Miami/Context, reward yourself with a sweet treat, compliments of artist Spencer Finch. From his solar-powered ice cream truck, all week he'll be doling out scoops of vanilla soft-serve in hues inspired by the changing colors of the sky.
Drink
Faith Holland, Visual Orgasms 'Champagne Popping', 2013, animated GIF. Courtesy of the artist and TRANSFER. At PULSE Miami Beach.
Beware the "Art Basel" events promoted by bars that have nothing to do with art; they're a waste of time and money. Instead, each night, try to hit up opening receptions, artist-designed bars, and cocktail parties sponsored by the many galleries, museums, and fairs. These are not hard to come by in Miami during the fairs, but you'll likely need to do some scouting and RSVP'ing ahead of time.
Pro tip: Water is your best friend. Stay hydrated.
Dominic Nurre, Coconut, 2015. Courtesy of helper. At UNTITLED.
December 2 - 6, Wednesday - Saturday, 11am - 7pm, Sunday, 10am - 5pm
On the beach at Ocean Drive and 12th Street, Miami Beach
Enjoy a cocktail or fresh juice while you watch the surf on the terrace of UNTITLED's tent, at a fully functioning bar courtesy of helper, an artist-run project space in Brooklyn, NY. Objects and artist editions by Dominic Nurre, Elizabeth Ferry, and Birgit Rathsmann set the scene.
Antony Gormley, Small Hunch II, 2014, cast iron, 41.125 x 8.25 x 6 in. © Antony Gormley. Courtesy of the artist and Sean Kelly Gallery, New York. Photo: Stephen White, London.
Water For People Benefit, Delano Hotel
Thursday, December 3, 7 - 10pm
1685 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Imbibe a glass of vodka while raising funds to provide clean water to the world at this gala charity event sponsored by Absolut Elyx, Sean Kelly Gallery, and Paddle8 for Water For People. The evening culminates in an auction of a sculpture by Antony Gormley, plus a DJ set from Jasmine Solano and a live performance by Swedish pop singer Elliphant.
Macon Reed, Eulogy for The Dyke Bar, 2015, installation view Brooklyn Wayfarers. Courtesy of the artist.
F.A.G. Bar by ArtFCity at Satellite
December 2 - 6, Wednesday - Thursday, 12pm-9pm, Friday - Saturday, 12pm-10pm, Sunday, 12pm-6pm
7410 Ocean Terrace, Miami Beach
It should be worth a trip all the way up to North Beach for the new, experimental art fair Satellite, not least to experience ArtFCity's pop up gay bar in one room of an abandoned hotel, featuring work by Macon Reed, Edie Fake, Matthew Leifheit, and others. Satellite will also run an extensive music component -- great for a late night out.
Sleep
Anna K.E. & Florian Meisenberg, Late Checkout (Part II), 2015, 9'58''. Courtesy of Simone Subal Gallery. In Art Basel in Miami Beach Film.
True sleep is, of course, next to impossible to combine with art viewing, but there are some opportunities to catch a bit of quiet time when you're out at the fairs. Making a point of reserving a bit of time each day for relaxation can keep your energy up for those long Miami nights. Here are a few spots where you can lie down while still looking at art.
Pro tip: Catch up on sleep next week.
The Quiet Rooms. Courtesy Loews Hotels..
The Quiet Rooms, Loews Miami Beach
December 1 - 5, Tuesday - Saturday, 11am-6pm
1601 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
Mattress company Casper is sponsoring a multi-sensory rest and relaxation zone at Loews Hotel in Miami Beach, with four tents, each showing a video by New York-based video artist Colin Snapp. RSVP online in advance, or just walk in.
Sam Falls, Untitled (Full 1, Topanga, CA), 2013, cotton, fabric dye, bedframe, 190.5 x 137cm. Courtesy of Galerie Eva Presenhuber. At Art Basel in Miami Beach.
Sam Falls, Healing Pavilion, Art Basel Public
December 2 - 6, Wednesday - Sunday
Collins Park, on Collins, between 21st and 22nd Streets
Always worth a visit, Art Basel's Public Sector features temporary public artworks and performances in Collins Park, this year with works by artists such as Katharina Grosse, Sylvie Fleury, and Hank Willis Thomas. Sam Falls' installation features communal seating in a pavilion encrusted with gemstones that are supposedly enhanced with restorative properties. Should be a nice spot for a meditative moment.
Shana Moulton, MindPlace ThoughtStream, 2014, 11'57". Courtesy of Galerie Gregor Staiger. In Art Basel in Miami Beach Film.
Art Basel Film Program at Soundscape Park
December 2 - 5, Wednesday - Saturday, various times
Soundscape Park, Washington Avenue and 17th Street
Art Basel's outdoor film program at the phenomenally landscaped Soundscape Park offers a great opportunity to sit back, relax, and check out new video and film works. This year's program features an incredible showing of films primarily by women artists, such as Rineke Dijkstra, Howardena Pindell, Jumana Manna, Shana Moulton, Camille Henrot, Mary Reid Kelley, and many more that should keep you riveted. But considering all that you've gone through this week, we'd forgive you if you closed your eyes for a few moments.
--Natalie Hegert