Art Basel Miami Beach 2008
The Art Newspaper presents exclusive coverage of Art Basel/Miami Beach 2008. For other fair editions and previous years click here
Big tent, big future?
Sluggish sales at Design Miami reflect the tough market but investment shows confidence
Design Miami has upped its game in its fourth year, investing in an architect-designed tent, as well as specially commissioned furniture and a VIP lounge constructed of raffia by the Brazilian Campana Brothers. And now there are no less than six satellite exhibitions (below), all clustered around the main fair, that added a buzz of their own. But no improvements, however impressive, can buck the current economic downturn, and sales were sluggish. “By making a significant capital investment in the [new] tent, we have shown that design is a solution not a luxury,” said Craig Robins, the property developer and co-founder of the fair, referring to the fair’s bespoke new setting. Designed by New York architects Aranda\Lasch, the fair’s venue is a reusable 43,000 sq. ft structure, with foliage-like trimmings. The move from the fair’s previous home, the historic Moore building—which for all its character was always too cramped—signals the long-term investment in the fair by Mr Robins...READ ON
Pulse moves up a gear
A muted start for the stylish fourth edition which returns to Miami with 27 new galleries
The fourth edition of Pulse Miami launched on Tuesday night, for the second time at the Soho Studios in Wynwood, with 27 new galleries out of a total of 102—the only satellite fair to return to Miami with a significant increase. And what a good-looking fair it turned out to be, with pristine white stands and wide aisles. Collectors milling around yesterday compared it favourably with the Nada (New Art Dealers Alliance) fair, long—but perhaps no longer—considered the number two fair to ABMB....READ ON
TV interviews from Art Basel Miami Beach 2008
Looming large: the return of the tapestry
Artists, it seems, just love to weave, and prices are appealing. But will the works hold their value?
Collectors who covet a tapestry designed by a contemporary artist are spoilt for choice these days: Chuck Close, Julie Verhoeven and Francesco Vezzoli have recently turned their creative attention to woven wall hangings. As have Kara Walker, Grayson Perry, Peter Blake, Paul Noble and Gavin Turk who are among the 15 artists who have been commissioned by Christopher and Suzanne Sharp of Banners of Persuasion, London, to design tapestries. The Sharps have brought a selling exhibition, “Demons,...READ ON
Marilyn Manson’s dark Miami debut
The gothic rock star reveals the inspirations and compulsions behind his new work on show in the Design District
American musician, writer, photographer and watercolourist Marilyn Manson is known for his theatrical appearance and provocative stage persona as the lead singer of his eponymous band. Born Brian Hugh Warner in Ohio in 1969, Manson’s career took off in 1996 with the release of his third album, Antichrist Superstar, which formed part of a pseudo-autobiographical music trilogy. His haunting and intimate watercolour portraits of friends, celebrities and crime victims expose the raw underbelly...READ ON