Allora & Calzadilla, Umbrella and Bell (2011), front; Anish Kapoor, Untitled (2011), behind. At Lisson Gallery, booth J1. All photos on site for Art Observed by Caroline Claisse.
International collectors and art enthusiasts filled the Miami Beach Convention Center for the Wednesday preview of Art Basel Miami Beach 2011. While the maze of gallery booths could seem overwhelming, buyers were able to navigate through for a solid day of sales and works placed on reserve. Larger galleries such as Gagosian, David Zwirner, and Sprüth Magers sold several works and editions thereof. Speaking with Neil Wenman of Hauser & Wirth, “We’ve had a great response on the opening day. In particular for works by Thomas Houseago, Rashid Johnson, Paul McCarthy, Matthew Day Jackson, Richard Jackson—all works sold and all available editions.” Jenny Holzer’s new paintings at Sprüth Magers sold for upwards of $300,000, as well as Condos and Krugers at the booth. Lesser-known galleries were pleased to gain the exposure the fair offers; if not selling right away, interest was high and therefore also prospects for the remainder of the fair. Gallery Arratia Beer said the crowd was very engaged and informed, also saying, “The fair feels very international. It’s also good to see young internationals here too.” The newer Latin American presence was reportedly strong, both exhibiting and buying, as expected in Miami as opposed to the Frieze or FIAC fairs across the Atlantic earlier this year. Celebrities on hand included Julian Schnable, Eli Broad, Brett Rattner, Naomi Campbell, and Sean Combs/P. Diddy.
Entrance D at the Miami Convention Center
Gagosian Gallery, booth K12
A Jeff Koons at Gagosian Gallery, booth K12
Thomas Houseago, Ghost of a Flea I (2011), at Hauser & Wirth, booth L17
Paul Mc Carthy, White Snow Dwarf (Bashfull) (2010), at Hauser & Wirth, booth L17
Jay Jopling at White Cube
Damien Hirst, Fear (1994), at White Cube, booth L9
White Cube, booth L9
Jake and Dinos Chapman, The Nature of Particles 74874986 (2011), at White Cube, booth L9
Yutake Sone at David Zwirner, booth K18
Lisson Gallery, booth J1
Sean Combs/P. Diddy
Gallerist Barbara Gladstone and others
Erwin Wurm, Police Cap (2011), at Galerie Thaddeus Ropac, booth C11
Tony Cragg, Mixed Feelings (2011), at Thaddeus Ropac, booth C11
Galerie Thaddeus Ropac, booth C11
Gallerist Thaddeus Ropac, booth C11
Artist Orlan
Art fair regulars Eva and Adele
A Michelangelo Pistoletto at Christian Stein Gallery, booth M7
John Baldessari, Animal (Orange) Descending Upon Kneeling Figure (Green) at Sprüth Magers, booth L16
An Antony Gormley sculpture at Sean Kelly Gallery, booth B17
Kiki Smith, Untitled (1994), at Pace Gallery, booth C10
Works by Gabriel Orozco at Marian Goodman Gallery, booth K13
Juan Munoz, Albuquerque Balcony (1993), at Marian Goodman Gallery, booth K13
Mary Boone Gallery, booth D9
Lisson Gallery, booth J1
Tony Shafrazi Gallery, booth H8
Gallerist Tony Shafrazi
Paul Kasmin Gallery, booth B14
A Will Ryman rose at Paul Kasmin Gallery, B14
Paul Kasmin Gallery, booth B14
Doug Aitken, left, Walead Beshty, right, at Regen Projects, booth C14
John Miller, A Place in the Sun (2003), at Praz-Delavallade, booth M8
Works by Mickalene Thomas at Lehmann Maupin Gallery, booth K15
Nick Cave’s Sound Suits at Jack Shainman Gallery, booth B21
Stephen Friedman Gallery, booth E4
Jennifer Rubell’s Prince William sculpture at Stephen Friedman, booth E4
Rubell’s sculpture with interactive ring on Prince William’ arm.
Kehinde Wiley Mizrah, The World Stage Israel (2011); Thomas Kiesewetter, Untitled (Royal Purple) (2011). At Roberts & Tilton, booth A8
Roberts & Tilton Gallery, booth A8
Alex Israel at Almine Rech, booth C12
Galerie Thomas Schulte, booth C18
Greenberg Van Doren, booth H4
-S. Sveen
Related Links:
Art Basel Miami Beach [Official Site]
Art Basel Miami Beach [The Art Newspaper]
Diddy and Eli Broad Buy Sophisticated Fare at a Workmanlike Art Basel Miami Beach VIP Vernissage [Art Info]
Internet Art Invades Art Basel Miami Beach [Art Info]
On Miami’s Art Scene, a Battle of the Brands [Wall Street Journal]
Art Basel Miami Beach 2011 [Vernissage]
Art Basel Miami Beach 2011 Brings Together Neon Lights, Vaginas, and Big Names [Miami New Times]
Live Blogging from Art Basel Miami Beach (LIVE BLOG) [Huffington Post]
