An Art Basel Miami Beach sign. — Photo courtesy of Art Basel Miami Beach
1. Art Basel Miami Beach
The official Art Basel Miami Beach fair at the Miami Beach Convention Center anchors Miami's week-long influx of creativity and culture. Considered the world's premier international, modern art show, Art Basel lures in art aficionados, collectors, and influencers from across the globe to Miami annually. In recent years, celebrities like Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Michael Douglas, and Chelsea Handler have been spotted purchasing pieces inside the Convention Center's halls. In addition to showcasing galleries, the Convention Center's neighboring Botanical Garden will be home to a tasty pop-up by James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein. Art Basel Miami Beach opens to the public on Thursday, December 5.
1901 Convention Center Dr, Miami Beach, Florida 33139
(305) 673-7311
https://www.artbasel.com/en/Miami-Beach
2. The Pérez Art Museum Miami Opens
A new museum will rise over Biscayne Bay in correspondence with Art Basel Miami Beach: On Wednesday, December 4, Miami welcomes the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) to its Downtown skyline. The new building is nestled in Museum Park and was designed by star architects Herzog & de Meuron. To boot, this 200,000 square foot facility features shaded, fauna-filled verandas, as well as an education center, gift shop, and a waterfront restaurant.
1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
(305) 375-3000
http://www.pamm.org/
http://www.10best.com/destinations/florida/miami/
3. SCOPE Art Miami
SCOPE Miami Beach is a must-see satellite fair this week thanks to its lineup of 100 International Exhibitors and 15 Breeder Program galleries. SCOPE blends under-the-radar allure with niche lifestyle brands to funnel lesser known artists to the fair's forefront. SCOPE currently holds a musical partnership with VH1 and will host artist series sponsored by Bombay Sapphire, Bucketfeet and Red Bull. This year's launch party will feature a performance by indie favorites Tegan and Sara. SCOPE Miami runs from Wednesday, December 4 to Sunday, December 8.
1000 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, FL
http://scope-art.com/
Li Shurui, Inner Rainbow, 2011, acrylic on canvas. — Photo courtesy of The Rubell Family Collection
4. Rubell Family Collection
The Rubell Family Collection/Contemporary Arts Foundation unveils "28 Chinese," a collection highlighting Chinese artists discovered by Donald and Mera Rubell from 2001 to 2012. Pieces by renown social activist and artist Aei Weiwei will be included in the exhibition, as well as items by Zhang Huan and Yan Xing. Selected pieces will highlight China's cultural, political, and socioeconomic influences, both locally and abroad while also celebrating emerging artists. The Rubell's unveil "28 Chinese" on Wednesday, December 4; it will remain on view through August 1, 2014.
95 NW 29th St., Miami, 305-573-6090
www.rfc.museum
http://rfc.museum/upcoming-exhibitions/28-chinese
5. Wynwood Arts District
Miami's Wynwood Arts District harbors one of the world's largest collections of outdoor murals. To celebrate Basel, dozens of international graffiti artists have returned to Miami to paint fresh works throughout the colorful neighborhood. "Women on the Walls" at the Wynwood Walls will celebrate women's contributions street art while Wynwood Central, a mixed-use development space, makes it debut on Thursday, December 5 with a carefully selected Artist Collective.
http://www.wynwoodmiami.com/
http://www.wynwoodartwalk.com
http://www.10best.com/destinations/florida/miami/
Sebastian Errazuriz' "The Boss" — Photo courtesy of Sebastian Errazuriz
6. Fashion Meets Art
Designers, boutiques, and brands fuse fashion with art during the nearly week-long Basel festivities. Harper's Bazaar will host the second installment of their ShopBAZAAR digital commerce pop-up at the Soho Beach House starting Tuesday, December 3; the event flaunts personal wardrobe consultants, exclusive giveaways, and on-trend clothing displays. Indie lovers seeking local brands and artisanal products can swing by Wynwood for the Kult Bazaar market, or shop at the recently activated Fox House boutique pop-up. Over on South Beach, MELISSA shoes will nod their temporary location's opening with an exhibit by Sebastian Errazuriz while DKNY puts their stylish stamp on South of Fifth's RADIO Bar.
http://www.myfoxhouse.com/
http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-articles/bazaar-at-art-basel-miami-beach-2013
http://wasabifashionkult.com/2013/11/kult-bazaar-launches-for-art-basel-accepting-vendors-now/
http://klughaus.net/blog/tag/radio-bar-miami/
www.meetsebastian.com
7. Music and Nightlife
Miami has always been known for its infamous nightlife, and during Basel week, its after-hours revelries get taken up a notch. Art Basel Mana Wynwood will present rising hip-hop star Kendrick Lamar on Wednesday, December 4 and Boy George on Friday, December 5. Venues like Bardot and Rec Room will host an eclectic mix of DJs and fusion acts as well as poolside soirees. Other featured events include a performance by Latina crooner Calma Carmona at Cafeina Wynwood Lounge and the annual 24 overnight party known as Basel Castle.
http://www.bardotmiami.com/
http://recroomies.com/
http://guestcode.com/Default.aspx
http://artbaselmanawynwood.com/
8. Hotel Takeovers
From Collins Avenue to Downtown, Miami's area-wide hotels get in on the creative fun. The Gale South Beach will host a pop-art overhaul with works by Thierry Guetta, aka Mr. Brainwash. Visitors can also voyage to surrounding properties like the Shore Club and Catalina Hotel to see similar large-scale, Mr. Brainwash works.
Meanwhile, The Sagamore will present "Framing the Moving Image," a property-wide, multi-media installation encapsulating how artists "capture, compose and represent traditions and histories, as well as changing material landscapes."
Back inland at the JW Marriott Marquis, guests can enjoy the temporary Beluga Russian Vodka Terrace at db Bistro Moderne after viewing the Christie's exhibits "Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design," "Ettore Sottsass: Important Works from a Private Collection," and "Barry Friedman: The Eclectic Eye."
http://www.mrbrainwash.com/home.html
http://galehotel.com/
http://www.sagamorehotel.com/
http://www.dbbistro.com/
http://www.marriott.com/jw-marriott-hotels-resorts/events.mi
9. Design Miami/ 2013
Interior and architecture addicts will find their safe haven at the Design Miami/ satellite fair. Cutting-edge innovations and visual trickery abounds here. This year's attractions include Swarovski Crystal Palace's Mangue Groove, Design Miami/ Talks with Martha Stewart and Richard Meier, and a pop-up café by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz of The Genuine Hospitality Group. Design Miami/ runs from Wednesday, December 4 to Sunday, December 8.
Meridian Avenue & 19th Street, Miami Beach, Florida 33139 (adjacent to the Miami Beach Convention Center)
http://miami2013.designmiami.com/
10. Food & Fare
The culinarily curious will find new restaurants making their debut around Art Basel Miami Beach. Wynwood adds the gastro-centric Shikany to its restaurant repertoire, South Beach warms up Italian haunt Lorenzo, and Seasalt and Pepper debuts on the Miami River.
http://www.shikany.com/
http://theredbury.com/southbeach/
https://www.facebook.com/Seasaltandpepper/info