Art industry insiders like to say that there are two types of people: those who “like art” and then “art people.” Every year, during the first week of December, the entire lot swarms to Miami for Art Week (Dec. 3–8, 2024).
Film and television A-listers, sports and music stars, fashion houses, chefs, art dealers, gallerists—and the curatorial advisers and consultants who tie them together—clamor to show they can decipher a duct-taped banana from a Basquiat while hawking canvases, clothing collaborations, liquor, and even pizza and soap, throughout more than 10 art fairs and six days of nonstop events.
Beyond the canvas, Miami Art Week has become a place where brands and service providers stage experiential launches and interactive moments aimed at the prized art enthusiasts and art people demographic. At the same time, celebrities fête like-minded friends at over-the-top beachside fundraising galas.
While the experience is often referred to as “Art Basel Miami Beach,” ABMB is only one of the fairs — albeit the largest. The Hollywood Reporter rounds up where you should be if you are on the ground—and not sitting in the legendary traffic—and what everybody is talking about if you can’t make it there.
Events
Celebrating its 10th anniversary on Dec. 1, The Miami Beach EDITION serves as the epicenter of many of Art Week’s most celebrated events and meet-ups. This year, Parisian cultural club Silencio (designed by David Lynch and frequented by artists such as The Weeknd, Lana Del Rey, Cardi B, Baz Luhrmann, Ai Weiwei and the late legends Prince and Virgil Abloh) returns to the resort a decade after curating its grand opening. Silencio collaborates with top names in art and culture for three invite-only nights. MoMA PS1 presents a special night featuring Nick León and SofTT (Dec. 3); How Long Gone, the cult-favorite podcast redefining cultural commentary, hosted by Them Jeans and DZA pops up (Dec. 4); and through a creative partnership between PIN-UP Magazine and Perrotin Gallery expect an unforgettable evening with star Eartheater and Martin Bootyspoon (Dec. 5).
For the third year, New York’s Tribeca Film Festival heads to Miami, occupying a space at Art Basel from Dec. 4–7. The Tribeca Festival at Art Basel Miami Beach is a four-night event series focusing on music and this year resides within the Miami Beach Bandshell and on Dec. 7 features a conversation with pop star Camila Cabello moderated by Miami hospitality entrepreneur David Grutman. On Dec. 5, celebrate the 28th anniversary of The Birdcage with a Palace Bar takeover Drag Queen Show and performances from legendary local acts Tiffany Fantasia, Missy Miyake Lepaige and Olga Dantelly. Music performances include a homecoming show by Miami’s alternative pop duo Magdalena Bay; jazz drummer, composer and producer Makaya McCraven; electronic pop artist Neggy Gemmy; and Latin Grammy–nominated Brazilian singer-songwriter Luedji Luna. DJ sets include Soul in the Horn’s Natasha Diggs, L3NI and the jazz collective Brainville.
CORE Miami Art Basel gala returns to Miami Art Week on Dec. 5 at Soho Beach House with cocktails by the beach, a seated dinner, a live auction and Jewel performs. This year’s illustrious co-chair committee includes Jared Leto, Jon Bon Jovi, Alessandra Ambrosio, Diplo, Garcelle Beauvais and Vivi Nevo.
What to See
British-Nigerian Multidisciplinary Artist and Designer Yinka Ilori MBE collaborates with Chase Bank at SCOPE Art Show, 2024. He has previously collaborated with Meta, Apple, The North Face, Lego, Nike, McLaren, MoMA, MCM, British Fashion Council, LG, Courvoisier, and more. Located near the SCOPE Main Stage, Lift Me Higher With Joy welcomes guests to the show with an interactive seating installation inspired by “family game nights” and invites you to pass on words of affirmation. Shrine of Affirmations in the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge connects and engages visitors within a space sheltered from the wind with kites that soar like birds, evoking a sense of liberation.
Culinary Collaborations
December 4
Resy and American Express partner with Delta Air Lines for the second year of The Resy Lounge (11 a.m.–7 p.m.) at Untitled Art. The beach-front indoor and outdoor lounge is open on Miami Beach until December 8, and offers the fair’s VIP guests and ticket holders a space to relax. The Lounge features outdoor cabanas, art activations, and food and drinks from L.A.’s Jon & Vinny’s. On the menu, try Buttermilk pancakes, wood-grilled and red wine-marinated steak, Jon & Vinny’s signature Soft Serve ice cream, natural wines from Helen’s (Jon & Vinny’s wine and beverage concept) and cocktails such as espresso martinis, Cosmopolitans, mojitos and more. And because it’s an art fair, there are meet and greets and custom print signings with Untitled Art artist Justin Lim.
Project developer Terra hosts an invite-only cocktail party to kick off Art Basel Miami Beach and celebrate the launch of Jean-Georges Miami Tropic Residences, a residential building close to Miami’s Design District. The event includes a panel on “framing gastronomy through the lens of art and design” with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, David Martin, and designers George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg.
December 5
American Express and Delta Air Lines host an invitation-only late-night party (10 p.m.–2 a.m.) at Jon & Vinny’s Residency at the Rubell Museum. For one-night-only, Night Shift features a performance, drinks and late-night bites from Jon & Vinny’s menu.
Nikki Beach Miami Beach hosts “Basel on The Beach” featuring DJs Eran Hersh, EC Twins, Sam Haze and more. Unwind on a day bed, enjoy live music, and soak up the sun and ocean breezes.
December 6
American Express and Delta Air Lines fuel the Design District with “Night Shift, AM Edition,” featuring complimentary Breakfast Pizza, coffee and tea at the Rubell Museum (9 to 11 a.m.). Guests also have complimentary early access to the Rubell Museum before opening hours.
The recently opened Moroccan restaurant Habibi hosts a live art showcase on Dec. 6 by self-taught artist Mr. Drip, who is known for his live art, which utilizes the dripping technique in his pieces and celebrity portraits. The evening will also feature a DJ set from Sounds of Rituals.
December 7
Marriott Bonvoy and American Express host their 8th annual Wanderlust party (8–11 p.m.) at W South Beach. This card member party brings popular New York City Resy restaurant Superbueno to Miami Beach with Mexican dishes, immersive art sculptures from visual artist Jimena Montemayor and sounds from South Africa with amapiano-performing DJ artist Uncle Waffles.
Fashion Experiences and Collaborations
Gucci celebrates Miami Art Week and the holidays with a snow globe installation at Sweet Bird North Plaza in honor of its travel-inspired heritage. Through January 7, the installation between Gucci’s two boutiques features a whimsical snow globe with Gucci luggage and miniature depictions of landmarks like Palazzo Gucci in Florence and the Wooster Street boutique in NYC. Ice cream from Miami’s Peel and coffee and baked goods from Italian Bakery Rosetta are available during select periods. Gucci also unveils an Art Walls series by American artist Corydon Cowansage with three murals—inspired by revered female artists such as Judy Chicago and Zilia Sanchez, who redefined femininity through anatomical biomorphic abstraction—on view starting Dec. 4.
Trinity 100 Immersive Experience in Miami launches with an invite-only event on Tuesday and then opens to the public from Dec. 4–8 (11 a.m.–9 p.m.). After traveling the world with stops in Paris, London, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo, this exhibit closes the chapter on 100 years of Cartier’s iconic collection with an immersive experience and the launch of a limited series of Trinity novelty jewelry.
Maison Margiela collaborates with visual artist Kozo on a capsule collection starting Dec. 4 at the brand’s Miami Design District store. Kozo is a Brooklyn-based tattoo artist known for his micro-realistic colored tattoos juxtaposing classical art with modern pop culture references. He co-hosts an event showcasing a selection of Margiela Signature White Icons customized with black-and-white tattoo iconography. For this project, he interprets Maison Margiela’s signature codes, exposing the interior of garments and giving the impression of natural wear and tear through the lens of tattoos. Four distinct narratives, including dripping paint, duct tape, whited-out Renaissance paintings and paper torn away to reveal butterflies, have been applied to 18 customized designs signed by the artist, with the tattoo needle included in the packaging. They include Tabi boots, Replica sneakers, a trio of handbag styles — the Glam Slam Classique, the 5AC and the Snatched Classique — and Gentle Monster sunglasses.
Massimo Dutti collaborates with performance artist Marina Abramović. Her approach to art and her creative journey are displayed at Nomadic Journey, an exhibition showcasing over four decades of her drawings, poetry, photographs and reflections. The Faena Art Project Room exhibition is open to the public from Dec. 5– Dec. 8 (11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.). Abramović’s latest coffee table book, Nomadic Journey and Spirit of Places, is available at selected Massimo Dutti stores. Limited-edition Marina Abramović x Massimo Dutti merchandise is available at the exhibition.
On Dec. 5, sneaker brand Autry partners with artist Rob Pruitt on limited-edition sneakers inspired by his “chromed project” artworks. To celebrate the collaboration, Autry overhauls a gas station in Miami Beach, customizing it into the “Autry Art Station.” Like collectibles, the sneakers come in a plexiglass box decorated with the artist’s smiley icon and feature transparent dust bags. Only 2,500 pairs of mirror-finished shoes with puffy silver laces are available.
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