As December draws closer, so too does one of the hottest events in the cultural calendar: Art Basel Miami Beach. The international contemporary art fair is celebrating its 21st birthday this year, bringing together 277 galleries from across the globe, with 25 newcomers joining the incredible line-up of exhibitors.
From December 8 – 10, Art Basel Miami Beach will once again take over the Miami Beach Convention Center. For a VIP experience, consider booking the Premium+ Discovery ticket ($3,500) which gives you access to an array of exclusive events throughout the weekend from cocktail receptions with the participating galleries to curated walk-throughs, visits to private collections, and even a wine tasting at the Botanical Gardens.
The enormous fair is split into six sections which we’ll dive into below. This year the popular Conversations series is also back with a series of moderated panel discussions from some of the planet’s most interesting artists. Here’s our pick of what to see at Art Basel Miami Beach 2023.
[See also: Must-Visit Manet and Degas Exhibition at The Met]
Galleries
The galleries section is pretty self-explanatory: this is where paintings, sculptures, installations, photography and videos from the leading galleries are displayed. Among the pieces to look out for are never-before-seen works from the personal collection of the late Argentinian Italian surrealist Leonor Fini presented by Galerie Minsky and Weinstein Gallery.
Meridians
Meridians is dedicated to large-scale artworks that push boundaries, provoke discussions, and go beyond the typical art fair layout you might expect. Curated by Mexico City-based Magali Arriola, 19 projects will be on display in total, including a short film by Ja’Tovia, made in response to Toni Morrison’s 1970 novel The Bluest Eye, incorporating vintage Hollywood imagery and direct animation.
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Kabinett
Next up is Kabinett which gives galleries the chance to present curated exhibitions within their main booths. This year the section will include 28 curated installations including a series of lenticular prints from American artist Kandis Williams and a collection of over 100 ceramics by Brazilian artist Sallisa Rosa exploring memory through materiality.
Positions
It’s also well worth stopping by at Positions, which will be showcasing the works of exciting emerging voices from young galleries. Keep an eye out for Allan Weber’s photo series on Rio de Janeiro’s favelas, and a new solo exhibition of pieces hand-carved on native wood by Alejandra Venegas.
Nova
Nova is a section of Art Basel Miami Beach where galleries can present new works by up to three artists. Look out for never-before-exhibited sculptures by Puerto Rican artist Daniel Lind-Ramos and new paintings from Egyptian artist Basim Magdy (the first staging of the artist’s paintings in the US).
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Survey
Last up is Survey – a space dedicated to galleries showcasing artistic practices of historical relevance. Among the stand-out things to see are solo presentations of American artist and activist Karen Finley centered around her 1977 interactive installation at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles during a protracted legal battle with the National Endowment for the Arts.
Conversations
Back by popular demand, Conversations is returning to Art Basel Miami Beach for 2023. This year, the series of live debates will explore the relationship between the Americas, celebrating the works of Afro-Latino and Latino artists.
Artist Guadalupe Maravilla will meet with collector and curator Estrellita B. Brodsky to discuss their dedication to championing diverse perspectives from Latin America, while singer-songwriter and philanthropist Chance the Rapper will meet with Lauren Haynes, director of curatorial affairs and programs at Queens Museum to talk about the influence of hip-hop on the visual arts.
Music
Tribeca Festival has teamed up with Art Basel to craft four nights of live musical performances and conversations with artists from December 6-9. The not-to-be-missed lineup kicks off with the Music Lounge with instrumentalist composer and vocalist Eartheater, and DJ Dangerous Rose. Other highlights include contemporary jazz star Yusef Dayes and NYC-based DJ and producer Natasha Diggs.
“For over 20 years, Art Basel Miami Beach has been a global convener and launching pad of emerging and established artists across the cultural landscape,” said the director of fairs and exhibition platforms at Art Basel.
“We are thrilled to kick off Tribeca Festival at Art Basel Miami Beach with a series of live Music Lounge performances, bringing together trailblazing musical talent during the fair week for what will be an unforgettable experience for our audiences.”
[See also: Mark Rothko Exhibition Opens at Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris]
