A portrait of Miami in Tom Wolfe’s new novel, “Back to Blood”, seems timely with Art Basel approaching this week.  Brett Sokol, arts editor at Ocean Drive Magazine, profiles the changes in Miami’s art scene, which are filled with drama, power and money. Wolfe’s new novel is loosely based the true stories of the forgeries discovered in the Bass Museum’s permanent collection and on the story of how collector Jorge Pérez donated $35 million to the MAM . It was subsequently renamed Pérez Art Museum Miami, which created severe opposition to what board members deemed an egotistical move. “None of this is the behavior of a money-bedazzled and unsophisticated art crowd — quite the opposite”, Sokol says. (more…)

David Lynch has created a version of his Parisian club Silencio (which takes its inspiration from Mulholland Drive) at the Delano for Art Basel Miami this year. He designed all of the furniture and interior and curated the library and film projections. (more…)

Heather Hubbs, the director of the New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA), sent out a letter to its Miami exhibitors who also plan to have a booth at the inaugural “Untitled” fair, saying they must “commit to NADA solely”. The “Untitled” fair is in its first year in Miami, is curated by Omar Lopez-Chahoud and will take place in a tent on the beach designed by Terry Riley. Hubbs also stated any gallery that did not withdraw would be barred from future participation in NADA fairs. A spokesman from “Untitled” issued a statement saying: “Our attorneys have sent a cease and desist letter to NADA and demanded that they immediately notify those with whom it has been in contact that it is withdrawing its opposition to such exhibitors participating in the Untitled fair.” (more…)