Art Basel Miami Beach, or as we fondly refer to it - hipster spring break, is only three weeks away. Except most folks don't go to the eponymous art fair in the Miami Beach Convention Center. Entry is a bit steep at $40. But if you can sneak in, have at it. There's some great eye candy -- check out our picks from last year.
But really, our favorites are the satellite fairs that pop up just outside the convention center, around Miami Beach, and across the causeway in Wynwood and the Design District. Not only is admission reasonable (and sometimes free), the vibe is much less stuffy and the artwork is much more experimental. Consider this elephant baby piece from Art Miami 2010. If you're the kind of freak into such oddities, read on for a round-up of satellite fairs opening at the end of November.
Seven Miami
November 29-December 4, 2011
2637 N. Miami Ave. in Wynwood
Free
This was our favorite last year. It's a mini fair started by seven galleries who felt frustrated by the large art fair's ten-page contracts about how they could exhibit their art. So they threw away the booth set-up and encouraged a dialogue between the works. Read our recap here. This year, Seven Miami is in a new space. There will be an outdoor installation space and a partnership with Creative Capital.
Red Dot
November 30-December 4, 2011
3011 NE First Ave. in Wynwood
$15
We cannot tell a lie. We've never been! How is it?
Scope Miami
November 29-December 4, 2011
$20
NE First Ave. @ NE 30th St.
One of the most internationally recognized satellite fairs, Scope was founded ten years ago by art-world renegade Alexis Hubshman. Outside its white tent last year, there was a convertible draped in a kaleidoscopic knitted creation from Polish artist Olek. See the photos here.
Fountain Miami
2505 N. Miami Ave. in Wynwood
December 1 - December 4, 2011
$10
We like this ballsy fair so much, we're its media sponsor. Expect unruly installations, unsettling performances, and cars on fire. Trust us: it's an unpredictable must-see attraction. Read about Fountain 2011 here.
Pulse Miami
December 1 - December 4, 2011
The Ice Palace Studios, 59 NW 14th St.
$15
Truthfully, the hammock scene outside the fair is as worth-it as the cool art inside. Featuring more contemporary photography than most other art fairs, Pulse is one of our favorites from the dozen satellite showcases. Click here to see last year's Pulse crop.
Aqua Art Fair
December 1 - December 4, 2011
Aqua Hotel
1530 Collins Ave. in Miami Beach
$10
Showcasing mid-career artists from the West Coast, Aqua pulls in for another fair at the South Beach hotel. An artist takes over each of the hotel's 43 rooms. It's a novel way to weave in and out of exhibits. See our photo recap from 2011 here.
Art Asia Miami
November 30-December 4, 2011
2901 N. Miami Ave. in Wywood
$20
One of Miami's newest fairs, Art Asia, as you would imagine, features works by Near Eastern, Middle Eastern, and South East Asian galleries and artists-paying special attention to broadening the understanding of Asian contemporary art.
Verge Art Fair
December 1 - December 4, 2011
The Greenview Hotel, 1671 Washington Ave. in Miami Beach
$10
This year, there will be Drawing Show works by art star Peregrine Honig, of Bravo Channel's famous "Work of Art" artists reality show. Newcomers include Miami galleries including Artformz, presenting a special "Small Works" show of works under 15 inches square, and the newly opened Art Modern Gallery, presenting two rooms of new and emerging art, and Hot Commodities, presenting the work of over a dozen local Miami and New York artists.
Art Miami
November 30-December 4, 2011
3101 NE First Ave.
$15
Now in it's 22 year, this white-tent affair was filled with stuffed sheep, bird bestiality, and book art last year. Check out our photo review.
NADA (New Art Dealers Alliance)
The Deauville Beach Resort
6701 Collins Avenue
Free
The only major American art fair to be run by a non-profit, NADA focuses on young galleries that deal with emerging contemporary art. Read about last year's Transmission Miami event by Humble Arts Foundation at NADA here.
Design Miami/
November 30-December 4, 2011
Meridian Avenue & 19th Street
Adjacent to the Miami Beach Convention Center
$25
An official satellite fair of Art Basel, Design Miami/ focuses on applied design -- think interiors, furniture, and other objects. Last year, with Konstantin Grcic as of the Designer of the Year, the fair seemed a little subdued. Read about the 2010 highlights here.
It Ain't Fair
December 1 - December 4, 2011
81 NE 40 St. in Design District
Free
Now in its fourth year, O.H.W.O.W.'s It Ain't Fair takes on the theme, materialis. The 20 artists include Daniel Arsham, Justin Beal, Anna Betbeze, Ashley Bickerton, Scott Campbell, Peter Coffin, N. Dash, Sam Falls, Michael Genovese, Luis Gispert, Bert Rodriguez, Aurel Schmidt, David Benjamin Sherry, among others. And there will be a live performace by New York-based artist Michael David Quattlebaum, Jr.
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