December doesn’t only mean Christmas, it also means Art Basel: the biggest international art fair with week-long events in Basel, Miami Beach and Hong Kong. Our Style Editor, Ikponmwosa is heading to Miami Beach for a week of art, music, fashion and no sleep whatsoever!
“Art Basel’s world-leading shows in Basel, Hong Kong and Miami connect collectors, galleries, and artists, and are a driving force in supporting the role galleries play in nurturing the careers of artists.” To do this, the fair plays host to numerous events showcasing the range and depth of modern and classical arts. Here’s what we’ll be getting up to over the next week:
RAW Private Press Party – December 5th
RAW POP UP is taking over 43,000 ft² at a former department store in Downtown Miami’s Flagler Street district. In collaboration with over 80, RAW POP UP is producing a five-day, two-floor multisensory experience of art, music and technology. The show will include site-specific installations and immersive performances in settings like diners, beauty parlors and pre-civil rights “separate but equal” bathrooms from 5th to 9th December.
Guests will be guided throughout at least 10 different historical environments existing from the 1920s until today. Using the theme of the old department store the goal is to make each guest question the evolution of their generation and their personal contributions to society. With traditional retail experiences quickly fading, guests are transported by creators and performers into the past, bringing their current mindsets along to interact with forgotten objects and lost ideals. Which principles are we keeping and letting go of in order to create a better present and future?
“Together, we are empowering emerging creators, pushing culture forward, and pioneering the Interactive Art Movement (I•AM). Aetna Realty has made it possible for locals and visitors alike to discover one of our city’s greatest landmarks during Art Basel 2018 brought to life by 80+ creators, performers, and musicians.” – George Dufournier, Founder/CEO
Purple Pr’s Panels and Parties – December 6th – 8th
Purple PR are a leading lifestyle communications agency based in New York, L.A. and London. Throughout Art Basel they are hosting a series of events celebrating artists in all forms at the Miami Beach EDITION, a gorgeous luxury hotel that provides boutique service with all the benefits of a larger resort, including restaurants developed by Michelin star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
6th December Ik will be attending a panel discussion on ‘How art is used as a platform to influence current issues’, something we have seen much of over the last year; a book signing by Daniel Arsham following the recent release of his new monograph titled ‘Arsham’, which is a tome portraying the multi-faceted artist’s diverse range of conceptual objects and sculptures. Each special edition monograph is signed by the artist, is numbered, and sealed in an anaerobic poly-nylon vacuum with customized Arsham Studio Standard Art handling gloves.
To really show the diversity of art a soccer tournament will take place – Kappa Kalcio Art vs. Music Miami Art Basel, followed by a cocktail reception in the hotel Lobby Bar hosted by Cultured Magazine and Untitled. Later, Purple PR are hosting a party featuring artists HOTMESS, Luka Sabbat and Each Other.
On the 7th, Ik will attend two evening events. Sarah Bahbah, renowned Paelstinian artist famous for using her creative voice to erase the stigma of victims of childhood sexual abuse, will showcase a new exhibition “We’re Not Really Strangers.” Later, electronic music artist Sainte Vie alongside Cos and Mateo showcase Akumandra in the Basement Club until late.
Saturday 8th will present Bedouin and Guy Laliberté in the Basement Club.
“Young Thug As Paintings” Exhibit – December 4th – 9th
During Miami Art Basel, Young Thug is teaming up with Netherlands-based artist, Hajar Benjida for their SCOPE Miami Beach installation, “Young Thug As Paintings,” an iteration that Benjida originated on Instagram (@YoungThugAsPaintings). Originally a school project, Benjida’s “Young Thug As Paintings” pays homage to the cultural capital of Thug, by juxtaposing him with some of history’s most revered works of art. Each combination offers a glimpse into Young Thug’s fluid sense of style and musicality.
“I jokingly answered an interview question with “I hope to discuss renaissance paintings with Thug someday.” 1.5 years later and I’m bringing my project to life together with Young Thug himself,” stated Benjida.
Thug’s exhibit comes shortly after the release of his latest EP, On the Rvn, which featured surprise appearances from Elton John, Jaden Smith, 6lack, and Offset. Listen here.
“Young Thug is one of the most profound artists of this generation and we’re going to continue to celebrate him in the most innovative ways. Hajar Benjida’s display of Thug’s influence through art disruption is incredible. This is also a celebration of Hajar’s talent and her appreciation of the culture,” – Rayna Bass, Head of Cultural Marketing at 300 Entertainment.
Fontainebleu Showcase – December 3rd – 9th
Fontainebleu Miami Beach debuts at this month’s Art Basel and their programme of events will include exclusive pop-ups, galleries and more, in collaboration with world renowned artists such as Krista Kim who recently collaborated with Lanvin to create jackets, tops and dresses with her signature gradient work, and Logan real who gained popularity by doing custom paintings on leather products.
Ik will visit the iconic lobby of the Fontainebleu hotel where an installation of Krista Kim’s technicolor artwork will be shown. Guests will be able to view more than 10 of her pieces, which are made on Pleximuseum, a state of the art type of Plexiglass. Krista Kim is the founder of the ‘Techism’ art movement, “which calls for greater interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration between innovators of the tech industry and artists in order to create a more balanced culture through the arts in the digital age.”
“The legacy of culture and arts at Fontainebleau is historic. It is an honor to showcase my artwork here, where great artists and performers have come before me.” – Krista Kim.
During the week Ik will also attend the Re-Envision Magazine gallery in the Fontaine ballroom, featuring work from more than 20 different artists, including Carlos Mare, Adam Scott Rote, and Peter Max, and a live painting at the gallery on Saturday night from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
An Art Connection Exhibition and Art Sale on the evenings of December 6th and 7th in the Fleur de Lis Ballroom will give guests a chance to purchase pieces in the form of original oils, acrylics, giclee, serigraphs, sculptures and hand-blown glass from international artists. Miami-based artist, Logan Real will be hosting two sessions on December 7th where he will demonstrate his painting skills on leather. During the evening events, the official sponsor of Art Basel, Ruinart, will have up champagne kiosk in Bleau Bar, as well as a pre-fix champagne-pairing menu that will be offered at Hakkasan during Art Basel.
Claudette The Brand® Fashion Show – December 8th
CLAUDETTE THE BRAND® will be making its debut on the runway at Art Basel on December 8th 2018 at 7pm at 7275 Collins Ave, Miami, Florida. Influencer, Generation Z consultant, Ad Week’s 30 Under 30’s Connor Blakley will be opening CLAUDETTE THE BRAND®’s fashion show with his freestyle prose.
The brand, founded by a young Kuwaiti designer, Layan Al-Dabbous, concentrates of streetwear, and on mental health. Layan enrolled in Parsons School of Design and whilst there began to form her concept of the Claudette brand. After partnering with influencers in the underground urban scene the brand started to take shape but it was important for Layan that the collections had a strong message about self-acceptance to ward off the ever-growing issues around mental health. Her Ready to Wear collection includes messages that are casual, fun, yet clear statements such as “TEXT YOUR FRIENDS”, and “DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS” alongside images of ‘Claudette’ on the phone or texting.
“I want young women around the world to know that they have a voice and it’s just as strong as anyone else’s. I especially am passionate about girls from my country to be able to have a vision and see that they can do and make something happen.” – Layan Al-Dabbous.
Style Saturday with TVÁŘ + Graupel – December 8th
The fashion styling house, More Than A Mannequin (MTAM), partners with innovative, groundbreaking virtual measuring tech company, Graupel, to produce an Art Basel event for an audience of fashion stylists, designers, buyers, press, industry insiders, influencers, celebrities, and other VIPs. The one-night-only event will include a sneak peek into MTAM’s huge 2019 production landing in Miami, an industry mixer, an introduction of Graupel’s amazing technology, and wonderful giveaways. To date, notable Miami personalities are already anticipating the event!
“Our goals for TVÁŘ are to bring the creative talent of stylists to the stage, award impactful career-changing prizes, give the arts & culture community an event to look forward to annually, and scale to an international level as well as our initiative to benefit a cause with every show.” – TVÁŘ
The Girls Lounge by The Female Quotient – December 6th
Ik has been invited along to The Girl’s Lounge, celebrating women in the arts, by Sandra Garcia Lowery who also attended the Tene Nicole “Support Your Girlfriends” weekender in Jamaica. This event features special guests such as Judith Bernstein, a New York artist best known for her phallic drawings and paintings, Judy Chicago, feminist artist, art educator, and writer, Michele Pred, a Swedish-American conceptual artist whose practice includes sculpture, assemblage, and performance, and Zoe Buckman a British artist creating contemporary and pop art with a focus on feminism and equality. There will also be sessions and pop-ups including Portrait Styling, Confidence Closet, and Sketch Studio.
For a peep into the event, keep up with Ik throughout Art Basel over on our Instagram stories.
