While the first week of December is definitely an exhilarating time to be in Miami, keeping track of the many fairs, exhibitions, cocktails, panels, and parties on the Miami Art Week calendar can feel a bit like an extreme sport. There’s only so much you can do in seven days—but who better than a group of art-world insiders to guide you through it all?
Below, an eclectic bunch—including artists, collectors, curators, gallerists, advisors, and institutional founders—gives us their insights into must-see shows, favorite eateries, essential soirees, and other unmissable to-dos for out-of-towners… plus a few thoughts on how to unwind in the midst of all the Basel madness.
What are your must-see museum/gallery shows?
I m looking forward to the large exhibition of the legendary American photographer Helen Levitt at the Margulies Collection, curated by Jeanie Ambrosio and Katherine Hinds. The show includes the Subway portrait series for which Levitt collaborated with Walker Evans, a monumental figure in the history of photography. Another must-see is “Sociograms,” a poignant show by Cuban artists Hamlet Lavastida and Juan Miguel Pozos reflecting on the tools of propaganda and cultural artifacts, presented at Dot Fiftyone Gallery. Also, this year’s Art Week holds a special significance for me, as it marks my inaugural exhibition at Art Basel Miami Beach, courtesy of Wentrup Gallery, Berlin. I’m excited to invite you to the main fair and look forward to the conversations there.
Where do you like to grab lunch/coffee between shows?
My longtime favorite for coffee meetings has been Rosetta Bakery, which has three locations in Miami Beach. To escape the crowds and try something hyperlocal, I recommend heading to North Beach for the best empanadas in town at the family-owned Karnitas 71.
Best way to unwind?
The Pérez Art Museum is set to host a spectacular dance party on December 7, headlined by the legendary George Clinton, a pioneer in funk music and a gifted visual artist. For those seeking a more relaxed experience, I highly recommend visiting the studios of Miami artists. With our art scene warmly welcoming visitors this week, gaining access is as easy as sending a quick email. Engaging with artists in their creative spaces offers a depth of conversation that surpasses the usual chatter at art openings. Moreover, it’s a unique opportunity to glimpse works-in-progress that may soon be found in prestigious fairs and museums. This occurrence is more common than you might think, adding an exciting element of discovery to your visit.
What are your must-see museum/gallery shows?
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The big institutional shows this season are Gary Simmons at the Pérez and the Locust Projects exhibition by Cornelius Tulloch. Gary is finally getting the attention he deserves after a long, rich career. Cornelius is one of Miami’s own, and reflects the recent emergence of Miami artists on the international art scene.
What fair are you most looking forward to, and why?
Art Basel Miami Beach is a cornucopia of opportunities for serious collectors. There is nothing like it in the world. While it has lots of serious, rigorous, vetted contemporary art, when the galleries come to Miami they always bring work with a little glitz factor to reflect our city! It is also the second busiest day of the year for private jets, after the Super Bowl!
Best places for dinner?
While great food at a fair price in South Beach might be thought of as an oxymoron, there is no place like Macchialina, an Italian restaurant on the west side of the island, away from all the tourist action, where the pasta is not to be missed. A new opening since last year’s fair—but already one of our top choices—is Maty’s, in the midtown area across the bay. James Beard-nominated chef Val Chang is creating masterful, authentic dishes from her Peruvian heritage.
Must-see institutional shows?
I would definitely encourage going to the three main museums, the Bass, the ICA, and the PAMM. Everybody puts their best foot forward during Miami Art Week. Secondarily, I would recommend going to the Rubell; an artist I represent, Basil Kincaid, is debuting a show there—he’s fantastic—and go to Espacio 23, they’re amazing too. There’s also a group exhibit [“Making Miami”] being set up in the Design District, featuring some of the original innovators of the Miami art scene. That’s sure to be really interesting.
Must-see fairs and gallery booths this year?
I love Design Miami because I’m an objects fanatic. The effort that people put into designing their booths is just on another level. Friedman Benda always has something incredible, Jason Jacques from New York always has something sort of fantastical and outrageous—there’s definitely a kind of pageantry [at] Design Miami that I really enjoy. In terms of the other fairs, I think Untitled is fantastic.
A must-do in Miami for out-of-towners?
I would say try to get to the beach before the day begins, whether it’s for a walk or just to sit on the sand—enjoy the beautiful nature. Also, one of my favorite places to have a drink is the restaurant at the Rubell Museum, Leku. They have a wonderful bar selection. And I also really enjoy getting cocktails at Klaw.
Must-see gallery booths this year?
Everyone knows the brand name that is Art Basel, but I recommend taking the time to visit the smaller satellite fairs NADA and Untitled. Between the three, you’ll get a full picture of the gallery landscape from the established, decades-old galleries, to the young, emerging, and everything in between. My favorite reason to visit art fairs is to make new gallery and artist discoveries, but there are quite a few booths with familiar names that I’ll be beelining toward. At NADA: HyeGyeong Choi’s solo booth with Harper’s; the Tara Downs booth, featuring a few favorites: Héloïse Chassepot, Jiang Cheng, and Annabell Häfner, among others; and Galerie Derouillon. At Untitled: Huxley-Parlour and Victoria Miro Projects, especially Saskia Colwell’s masterful charcoal works. At Art Basel: Karma always presents a top-notch group booth that feels like a walkthrough of the last century of art history. At Anat Ebgi, two artists in particular I can’t wait to see at Art Basel for the first time are Caleb Hahne Quintana and Soumya Netrabile; and Crèvecœur, one of my favorite Parisian galleries.
Go-to lunch/coffee spots?
The afternoons in Miami during Art Basel are always go-go-go, but if I happen to get the chance to sit down for lunch, I’m going to Leku at the Rubell Museum: an ideal spot to catch your breath and enjoy flavorful dishes in an indoor/outdoor space that feels quintessentially Miami. Most days of the week, however, I will be popping into Juice Java, conveniently located between a few of the fairs on Miami Beach. Their health-forward menu always provides the energy and sustenance I need during an otherwise indulgent week.
Parties you’re most looking forward to?
This is an easy answer since I’ll be playing host at my own event this year: an artist-inspired cocktail in collaboration with Ten to One Rum and Marni! Named Rococinco after my advisory, Rococo, and the five artists that each rendition of the ongoing series celebrates, the evening will feature original drink recipes (both cocktails and mocktails) based on the practices of artists Anthony Akinbola, Devin B. Johnson, Gisela McDaniel, Marcus Leslie-Singleton, and Veronica Fernandez, each of whom are showing work at Art Basel Miami Beach. I can’t wait to bring together a vibrant crowd that expands beyond the art world’s confines and shares in a communal experience of artistry and storytelling.
What are your must-see museum/gallery shows this year?
We have many Fountainhead alumni exhibiting around town. Basil Kincaid, Kennedy Yanko, Patricia Ayers, and Tschabalala Self at the Rubell Museum; Marcela Cantuária and Studio Lenca at PAMM; Melissa Joseph at ICA; Karlo Ibarra and Maria de los Angeles Jimenez Rodriguez at MOCA; and Mark Thomas Gibson at the Boca Raton Museum. I’m also excited for “Gimme Shelter” at the Historic Hampton House, including alumni Derrick Adams, Lauren Haley, Bony Ramirez, and Naama Tsabar.
What parties are you looking forward to the most?
We host a party for alumni each year called Pizza, Beer, and a Campfire. It’s always my favorite party because I get to see artists from around the world and help them make new connections.
What’s a must-do in Miami for out-of-towners?
I hope everyone takes a breath to appreciate the incredible nature that surrounds us. I would take a kayak out on Biscayne Bay, snorkel along the South Point jetty, and/or walk through Everglades National Park.
Must-see institutional shows?
Miami has become a remarkable hub for ocean innovation, and I’m particularly drawn to exhibitions around climate-centric art. Schmidt Ocean Institute, NAUTILUS, and UNESCO will present an ocean-themed exhibition and program at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science that I’m excited about. I’m also looking forward to seeing Hernan Bas and Nam June Paik at the Bass Museum, and Gary Simmons at PAMM. The Design District’s “Making Miami” exhibition—a collaboration with Locust Projects, BFI, and Dimensions Variable—will also be a highlight. Visitors to Miami should also visit The ReefLine’s showcase of incredible climate-centric artworks by Beeple, Alissa Alfonso, and Guido Elgueta +X at Faena Miami Beach.
Parties on the list?
The ReefLine will host a private celebratory dinner for our artists and to announce phase 1 plans for our underwater sculpture park and artificial reef to protect Miami Beach’s coastline—opening this spring 2024. Next week I’m also excited for the opening of Faena Art’s installations by Sebastian Errazuriz and Kelly Breez, and their after-party with Sofi Tukker. The opening of the Artists-at-Sea exhibition at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science will also be an incredible and meaningful evening for our community.
Must-see museum shows?
I must highlight Jason Seife’s solo show at PAMM, “Coming to Fruition.” Seife is a local artist of both Syrian and Cuban background, creating elaborately painted work reminiscent of Persian carpets and intricately detailed mosque ceilings. These hand-painted wonders are exquisite and they’re located in a gallery that is dimly lit, dramatic, and chapel-like. I encourage you to take your time with these works—they will pull you in and leave a mark on you! I would also recommend checking out PAMM’s permanent collection galleries—they were spruced up over the summer and highlight numerous recent acquisitions! Some of my personal favorites include a beautiful canvas by Tomokazu Matsuyama, a large-scale and map-like work by Esteban Ramón Pérez, and a dark and dreamy Chris Ofili.
What fair(s) are you looking forward to the most, and why?
Every year, I find myself most excited about NADA! This is a funky fair, in the best way possible. If you are interested in discovering new artists, I wholeheartedly believe this is the fair for you. The Ice Palace is such a beautiful venue and provides the perfect backdrop for NADA’s fun, carefree, and positive vibe. I also very much enjoy Art Basel Miami Beach, especially the Nova and Positions sections. As an institutional curator, my goal is always to discover the work of new and emerging artists, and these particular sections allow me to do just that. Make sure you take the time to check out galleries you might not already be familiar with. These are often where some of the best gems are located!
Best place to unwind?
It is no secret that my favorite Miami spot is Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink! Not only is the food fantastic, the wine list phenomenal, and the ambiance fun and friendly, but the service is second to none. Some of my favorites on the menu include the wood oven-roasted octopus, the truffle pizza, and the mezze platter! Located in the heart of Miami s Design District, Michael’s Genuine is the perfect place to unwind and muster up the energy to visit another fair or gallery show. If anyone would like to join me for a bottle of Lambrusco and oysters, you know where to find me in the midst of all the art week chaos!