Browse: November 2007

Art in the workplace: creative force or distracting diversion? Craig Robins, president of Dacra Development, passionately argues the first. Step inside Robins' collection and experience the influence of art throughout Dacra headquarters.

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Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

The countdown is on for Art Basel Miami Beach. Procrastinators beware - hotel rooms are a hot commodity in Miami. Most everything on the Beach is sold out - even the hostels (seriously). We made lots of front desk calls and found two consistent themes: be prepared to pony up for a minimum of four or five nights and venture off the Beach for maximum success (think North Beach, Sunny Isles, Aventura and Downtown).

Here's availabilty as of 4pm on Wednesday, Nov 28 - happy hunting!

• Crystal Beach; 6985 Collins Ave, Miami Beach; rates start at $135 per night (plus tax); 305-865-9555; www.crystalbeachsuites.com.
• Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay; 1717 N Bayshore Drive,
  Miami; rates start at $139 per night (plus tax); 305-372-0313; doubletree1.hilton.com.
• Fountainbleau Resort; 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; rates start at $519 per night (plus tax); 305-538-2000; www.fontainebleau.com.
• Sheraton Miami Mart Hotel; 711 NW 72nd Avenue, Miami; rates start at $129 per night (plus tax); 305-261-3800; www.starwoodhotels.com.
• Sonesta Hotel & Suites; 2889 McFarlane Road, Coconut Grove; rates start at $319 per night (plus tax); 305-529-2828; www.sonesta.com.
• Wyndham Grand Bay Hotel; 2669 S Bayshore Dr, Miam; rates start at $239 per night (plus tax); 305-858-9600; www.wyndham.com.

Miami, are your ears burning? We're quite the media darlings these days. New York publications are all Art Basel all the time this month. Here are a few highlights of recent coverage. Of course the best info, videos and photos are right here.

• The Times travel section takes on Basel, NADA, Scope, Art Miami, Design Miami, Aqua Art Miami and Pulse.

• New York Magazine tackles the subcultures of Basel week. See what the collectors, artists, celebs, fashion people, suits, locals and art dealers & advisers will be up to next week.

• Newsday reprints an AP piece sketching out the basics of Basel, Art Miami, Spencer Tunick at the Sagamore and Art Access '07.

Want more? Check out our complete Basel coverage for artist profiles, collector tours, event snapshots and info about Basel and the satellite fairs.

Art Basel | Satellite Fairs | Events | Artist Profiles | Collector Tours | Exhibitions

Journey home with Miami collector Martin Margulies as he discusses his approach to collecting, the interplay between art works and more.

A large part of the Margulies collection is open to the public. For more information about The Margulies Colleciton at the Warehouse click here.

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Art Basel | Satellite Fairs | Events | Artist Profiles | Collector Tours | Exhibitions

Miami artist Daniel Arsham discusses his approach to art, the Miami art scene and one of his recent works, "Merce Cunningham: Dancing on the Cutting Edge Part II."

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If you've been to the beach lately, you may have noticed the eroding coastlines, especially in the Mid-Beach and North Beach areas. Since Miami Beach is a man-made island, we started wondering - what would happen if you took the "beach" out of Miami Beach?

Not to worry, the problem hasn't gone unnoticed with the powers that be. In fact there are a number of local, state and federal programs taking action against this natural occurrence.

Heavy rains, tropical storms and hurricanes are the leading culprits that take a bite out of Miami's beaches, sweeping sand from the shore out into the ocean.

One way the beaches are replenished is by hauling in sand quarried from Central Florida. In the past, sand has been dredged offshore and then piped onto the beach. Currently, a number of restoration projects are working towards maintaining the pristine beaches, such as The Florida Beach Erosion Control Program, The Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resource Management and the Environmental Coalition of Miami Beach.

How can you get involved? Aside from grabbing a shovel and tackling the problem yourself (not recommended) we do recommend contacting the Environmental Coalition of Miami Beach (www.ecomb.org) and asking about volunteer opportunities in our area. They can help you get involved with local clean-up efforts and community awareness events.

Art Basel | Satellite Fairs | Events | Artist Profiles | Collector Tours | Exhibitions

Art is a very personal thing. It's especially so for Debra and Dennis Scholl. Each year, the Miami art collectors invite a cutting-edge curator to re-hang their home. Join us as we take a special look back at last year's collection with curator Amanda Cruz.

Intrigued? Check out this year's collection as well.

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The Rubell Family Collection is one of the world’s leading contemporary art collections. We caught up with founder Mera Rubell to journey inside the collection and talk Basel, Miami and buying art.

For more information about the Rubell Family Collection call 305-573-6090 or click here.

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Art Basel | Satellite Fairs | Events | Artist Profiles | Collector Tours | Exhibitions

Welcome to our coverage of all things Art Basel Miami Beach. We've got videos, slideshow and endless information about the fairs, parties, events and people that make the first week in December an art lover's dream. First, a quick cheat sheet to the week:

Art Basel Miami Beach

Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB) is in its sixth iteration. The international contemporary art fair features 20th and 21st century works from 200 art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and South Africa, all housed in the Miami Beach Convention Center. Three words: crowded, impressive, manic. Come early, be prepared to fight the crowds and bring the big bucks if you're planning to bring anything home.

This year, Art Basel Miami Beach is featuring seven special sections. On site at the Convention Center, Art Kabinett features 22 curated mini-exhibitions of modern and contemporary art ranging; Art Nova features 61 galleries showcasing new art work; and Art Supernova features an experimental group show curated by 20 galleries. At the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens (across the street from the Convention Center), the Art Video Lounge showcases a program of video art while the Art Sound Lounge showcases audio pieces by contemporary artists. And finally, beachside at 22 Street and Collins Avenue, Art Positions hosts 20 cutting-edge galleries presenting projects in shipping containers and Art Projects hosts an outdoor exhibition of sculpture, site-specific installations and public art works.

Satellite Fairs

Art Basel may be the big name, but the art action is happening all over the city this week. Over 20 satellite fairs ranging from photography to printed work are setting up shop throughout Miami and Miami Beach.

Daily Event Coverage

The week may be about art, but events tend to steal the show. From Sunday through Sunday there's something happening every hour of the day. Some are VIP-restricted (network with collectors, galleries and friends at UBS for access), some are open to the public and some are pay-to-play. We'll be bringing you all the action. Our calendar lists all the goodies, here are a few highlights to whet the appetite.

Intimate Artist Profiles

Thousands of established and emerging artists shine in the spotlight this week. Over 1,500 are featured in Art Basel alone. We've peaked behind the scenes with longtime favorites and new darlings to watch them work, prep and debut their work.

Insider Collector Tours

Miami's art collectors play a huge part in the local arts scene. They create buzz, support artists, educate the public and ushered the community into the current heyday of appreciation and respect. We journeyed inside their homes, warehouses and offices to bring you the works very few get to see.

Innovative Exhibtions

The fairs may draw most of the buzz this week, but Miami's museums and attractions pull out all the stops as well. We're bringing you to the Miami Art Museum, MOCA, Fairchild Tropical Garden and more to explore the latest exhibitions.

Art Basel | Satellite Fairs | Events | Artist Profiles | Collector Tours | Exhibitions

Ambra Medda, the director of Design Miami, takes us on a tour through the Design District and the Moore building.

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Ahh, the holidays. Aside from the inevitable family and friend obligations, there are plenty of festive happenings going on in Miami for you to enjoy. Here's the run down of Thanksgiving events not to be missed. As always, check out our online calendar for more options!

Start this Turkey Day bright and early with the Turkey Trot 5k/10K race at 7:30 a.m. Then, run over to the 33rd Annual Winter National Thanksgiving Day Parade. After the parade, you can go lend a helping hand to Miami Rescue Mission at the Great Thanksgiving Day Banquet to help feed the homeless (insider tip: D.J. Irie will be there spinning after 2 p.m.).

Don't stop there! On Friday you can walk off those extra Thanksgiving calories at Turkey Trail, a 3.5 mile trail through Miami Metro Zoo. If you still have it in you, you can start your Christmas celebrations with an outing to Santa's Enchanted Forest, the largest Christmas themed park and carnival in the world.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mmmm, bagels. Whether you like having yours first thing in the morning with a traditional a.m. spread, filling it sandwich-style or turning it into a sweet treat, we're going to give you the dish on where to find the best bagels on Miami Beach.

Here are our splurge spots:

Big Al's Bagels, 830 5th Street, Miami Beach; (305) 673-4811
Opened in 2004, the shop used to belong to the infamous mobster Al Capone back in the late 1920s. Then, it was used to store Capone's luxury cars. Now, the venue specializes in fresh bagels (we encourage to buy in bulk) and fresh, homemade specialty spreads. Could it get any better? Oh, yes it can - they deliver.

New York Bagel Deli, 6546 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305-865-8224
The New York Bagel Deli has been a Miami Beach resident for the past 12 years. Here, the locally well-known staff makes more than 20 different types of bagels with over 20 different homemade spreads to choose from. NY Bagel Deli is also one of the best smoothie and juice bars on the beach - sounds like a breakfast made in heaven!

Einstein Bros. Bagels, 1500 Alton Road, Miami Beach; 305-534-4003
Although Einstein Bros. Bagels may not be exclusive to Miami, they still top our list of bagel fantasies. Here, we recommend indulging your sweet tooth with one of the many desert bagel options. You can also count on scoring a holiday-themed treat depending on the time of year.

Taste Bakery, 900 Alton Road, Miami Beach; (305) 673-4811
This specialty bakery boasts many goodies, and the bagel is not be ignored. Baked fresh daily, try substituting a bagel for the bread on one of the gourmet sandwich items. Our favorite is the Turkey Muffaletta. Not enough bagel for you? Splurge with a side order of bagel chips. Delivery available.

Art Basel | Satellite Fairs | Events | Artist Profiles | Collector Tours | Exhibitions

Step inside the studio with Icelandic-born Miami artist Magnus Sigurdarson. The local artist discusses his art and plans for Basel '07 while gallery owner Kevin Bruk discusses Sigurdarson's role in the community.

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Art Basel | Satellite Fairs | Events | Artist Profiles | Collector Tours | Exhibitions

CASADECOR’07 is Miami's second iteration of the international design showcase. Designers tranformed 30,000 square feet of urban space in the heart of downtown into various interior concepts.

CASADECOR’07 runs through December 16. Vist CasaDecor-Usa.com for more information.

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Welcome back to Verbatim, our stage for amateur and professional writers. Today we hear from Jonathan Rose. This short poem was inspired by this year's Miami Book Fair International.

Misguided

George Armstrong Custer
Thought himself an Indian buster;
At Little Big Horn he faced a band
He could not stand.

Welcome back to progressive eats, where we eat our way through one delicious Miami neighborhood course-by-course. Today we're heading to 71st Street, where family owned and operated eateries dominate the menu. From Thai food to authentic Mexican fare, we've got you covered.

The Sheraton Bal Harbour is officially no longer.

Opened in 1956 as the Hotel Americana, the 645-room property hosted the likes of Frank Sinatra and John F Kennedy. The Americana was designed by famed architect Morris Lapidus (designer of the Fontainebleau and the Eden Roc) and became a favored celebrity and high society destination.

It was iconic Miami, iconic Bal Harbour. Now it’s iconic rubble.

The property was demolished at 7 a.m. on Sunday morning using a combination of dynamite and linear-shaped charges. The land will be home to two plush new projects: a 250-room St Regis Hotel and a 350-unit condo complex.

Art Basel | Satellite Fairs | Events | Artist Profiles | Collector Tours | Exhibitions

• Miami Art Museum Director, Terence Riley, discusses the new, still evolving design plans for the museum in Bicentennial Park.
• Famed contemporary artist Spencer Tunick took South Beach by storm, recruiting over 600 hundred men and women to pose nude in an installation at the Sagamore Hotel. We chatted with Tunick about the installation, nudity and South Beach. Hint – it’s all about fantasy and leisure.
• In Fashion '07, an exhibit featuring works by 20 master fashion photographers, has set up at the Surfcomber Hotel. We chatted with curator Marion de Beaupré about her involvement and experiences in Miami.
• Billed as the "art world's most exclusive venue," the SeaFair is a 228-foot mega-yacht built specifically to showcase art. ArtMB features contemporary paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture and more from 26 international dealers.
• Think art only happens in fairs? Think again. Fairchild Tropical GardensRoy Lichtenstein sculpture exhibit this week featuring ten of the iconic pop artist's works. We toured the show with Fairchild president Bruce Greer and Miami art collector Dennis Scholl.

Art Basel | Satellite Fairs | Events | Artist Profiles | Collector Tours | Exhibitions

Miami is an art lovers town. We take you inside the homes, offices and warehouse of the city's most influential collectors. Journey through their private spaces, learn about their approaches to collecting and visit art in the most intimate of spaces.

• Dennis & Debra Scholl re-hang their Venetian Island home every year. Tour this year's project with the Scholls and curators Matthew Higgs and Jeremy Deller. Join us as we take a special look back at last year's Scholl collection with curator Amanda Cruz.
• The Rubell Family Collection is one of the world’s leading contemporary art collections. We caught up with founder Mera Rubell to journey inside the collection and talk Basel, Miami and buying art.
• Journey home with Miami collector Martin Margulies as he discusses his approach to collecting, the interplay between art works and more.
• Tour the Margulies Collection at the Warehouse with Martin Margulies and his longtime curator & collaborator Katherine Hinds.
• Art in the workplace: creative force or distracting diversion? Craig Robins, president of Dacra Development, passionately argues the first. Step inside Robins' collection and experience the influence of art throughout Dacra headquarters.
• Meet Richard and Ruth Shack. The two fell in love in New York City several decades ago and spent most of their free time exploring the city's art galleries. They now share their Brickell apartment with hundreds of pieces of art they've collected
  over the years.
• Every year, Cuban-born, Miami-based art collector Rosa de la Cruz opens the doors of her house during Art Basel to visitors from all around the world. We caught up with her for a sneak preview.

Art Basel | Satellite Fairs | Events | Artist Profiles | Collector Tours | Exhibitions

At its best, most basic format this week is about the artists. Established and emerging talent who are working for a big break, celebrating newfound success and pushing the envelope. We stepped inside their hearts, minds and studios.

• Bert Rodriguez is one of Miami's favorite artists. Join us as we climb inside his whimsical, creative world. Tour his studio and learn about his plans for this year's fair.
• Step inside the studio with Icelandic-born Miami artist Magnus Sigurdarson. The local artist discusses his art and plans for Basel '07 while gallery owner Kevin Bruk discusses Sigurdarson's role in the community.
• Ambra Medda, the director of Design Miami, takes us on a tour through the Design District and the Moore building.
• Miami artist Daniel Arsham discusses his approach to art, the Miami art scene and one of his recent works, "Merce Cunningham: Dancing on the Cutting Edge Part II."
• Explore the paintings of Craig Kucia as he discusses his work, use of color and his experience in Art Basel.
• Puerto Rican-born, Miami-based visual artist Carlos Betancourt is a favorite of the local and national arts communities. We chatted with him about art, Miami and the making of "The Hedge," his main installation for Art Basel '07.

Art Basel | Satellite Fairs | Events | Artist Profiles | Collector Tours | Exhibitions

This week may be all about the art, but Miami is nothing if not a party town. The Basel-related events began in November and continue throughout December. We're bringing you all the action.

• Plans for Basel 2008 may be well underway, but we’re still reveling in the magic of Basel 2007. A good party never dies – enter F.A.M.E. Collective. The Dec 2 bash aimed to bring street culture into the upper echelon of arts.
• Green Goes Glam as Ocean Drive Magazine celebrates its 15th year during Art Basel, proving that "green" can also be luxurious and glamorous. The event was meant to bring awareness of the "green movement" to Miami.
• Basel '07 was as much about the parties as it was the art. One of our favorites was the Island Gardens ArtNexus party on Friday, Dec 7. We caught all the action at the official VIP Basel event.
• Gen Art celebrates Basel '07 with VANGUARD, an exhibition featuring 25 cutting-edge urban contemporary and pop surrealism artist from around the world. We hit the opening bash on Friday, Dec 7 and caught up with Gen Art events director Monica Glass, artist Colin Christian and others.
• Owen Wilson was at Art Basel 2007. Were you? Join us for a look back at Basel opening day in the Miami Beach Convention Center.
• Art Basel Miami Beach 2007 is officially in full swing. The action began Wednesday evening with Vernissage, the fair's VIP preview bash. We caught all the action.
• The Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami celebrated the opening of its Jorge Pardo: House exhibit with a kick-off Art in America party on Tuesday, Dec 4. Guests include artists Bert Rodriguez, Spencer Tunick and Jorge Pardo.
• CASADECOR’07 is Miami's second iteration of the international design showcase. Designers tranform 30,000 square feet of urban space in the heart of downtown into various interior concepts.
• Locust Project's annual Smash N' Grab blends auction, mania and art to raise funds for the Wynwood-based nonprofit. One hundred local artists donate works, one hundred attendees purchase raffle tickets and the mania ensues.