Art Basel Miami Beach

Art Basel Miami Beach is considered to be the most important Art show in the United States. While its sister show Art Basel Switzerland has been in operation for the past 40 years now, Art Basel Miami just recently came into existence eight years ago. Art Basel Miami is an art exhibition that encompasses 250 top international and North American galleries. Some of the international galleries displaying art pieces include countries such as; Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. On display at Art Basel Miami are artworks from the 20th and 21st Century by over 2,000 artists. Art enthusiasts are able to view both contemporary as well as iconic museum pieces. Local Miami galleries also participate in Art Basel by providing additional exhibits in their galleries located in the Art Deco District. Typically these exhibits are held at night so that they do not interfere with the day time festivities of Art Basel. The five day affair includes; parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. Special exhibition sections feature young galleries, performance art, public art projects and video art. Instillation pieces often require ample space, so spectators should be prepared to walk while viewing each artwork. Last year Art Basel Miami was in short of art collectors, who are a tremendous asset to the fair, that many thought the exhibition would not survive, said Karen Rosenberg, New York Times Reporter. Rosenberg described the differences of this years Art Basel Miami to previous years in her article Miami Fair: Big Pieces, Smaller Pieces and Relief which was published December 4, 2009. For instance, located in the middle of the exhibition hall is now the section for emerging galleries. In the past, these galleries occupied shipping containers that served as oceanfront booths. While this repositioning may have confused the audience, it benefited the emerging galleries especially since Florida recently experienced poor weather conditions. Three years ago I personally attended Art Basel Miami, and I was granted the privilege to meet several renowned artists and also view pieces from galleries that I have never seen in person. It was a wonderful, enlightening and educational experience that has given me an even deeper appreciation for the arts.