I ART MIAMI: BEST OF 2012

Art Public
2100 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Note: Art Public is the “outdoor branch” of Art Basel. Sculptures, performances, installations, and public artworks are displayed in Collins Park. This year will mark the 10^th edition, the outdoor exhibit is made possible through a collaboration with the Bass Museum of Art to curate an eclectic roster of works hand selected by Christine Y. Kim, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art at LACMA. The intention of the Miami-wide installation project is to interrupt the daily routine of passing viewers, creating a delightful dialogue between artist and audience. 

“It Ain’t Fair 2012” exhibition, OHWOW! Gallery
743 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Note: When OHWOW! first unveiled the It Ain’t Fair group exhibition in 2008, it was immediately apparent what a powerful idea had been unleashed on the art community, giving an alternative experience to the multitude of art fairs every December. OHWOW! always has had strong shows with scene-y young artists, and while this year will be their last, it will certainly be the largest. The exhibition “It Ain’t Fair 2012” is the final of four prior installments. It’s going to be a multi-media production that features the work of Leo Fitzpatrick, Dan Colen, James Franco, KAWS, Harmony Korine, Nate Lowman, Ryan McGinley, and Terry Richardson, just to name a few. 

“Closer” group exhibition, Spinello Projects
2930 NW 7th Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
Note: Spinello Projects is a reputable contemporary space that prides itself on the risks they take with their artists. “Closer”, their show during Art Basel features fifteen emerging artists and their creative analysis of unspoken and spoken human contact. The artists chosen for the exhibition represent 9 countries across the world – Argentina, Great Britain, France, South Africa, Israel, China, Croatia, Venezuela, and the United States. Keep an eye out for Rowan Smith’s wall of speakers that will physically crumble over the course of the show.

Martin Margulies Collection
591 Northwest 27th Street  
Miami, FL 33127
Note: Famed collector Martin Margulies opens his warehouse to the public during Art Basel every year. The exhibition space is enormous which allows him to house and display large-scale works of art that you won’t see at the Convention Center. There’s a cohesive mix of both young emerging artists and older legends.

Plane Text
Up in the sky
Over Miami Beach
Note: This year, Adam Shopkorn has curated a project called “Plane Text”. Three plans will fly original texts featured in the works of contemporary artists each day from 9am to 1pm from Wednesday to Sunday. Artists to be featured include Richard Prince, John Baldessari, Lawrence Weiner, Sol LeWitt, Ed Ruscha and Alexis Smith.

Marni presents “L’Arte del Ritratto”
3930 NE 2nd Avenue #100
Miami, FL 33137
Note: L’Arte del Ritratto is a multi-dimensional collaboration brought about by fashion house MARNI. The exhibition and auction will surround two aspects, photography at the hand of photographer and filmmaker Francesco Jodice, and furniture, with 125 chairs featured from the MARNI Charity Project. Each chair is fabricated by hand by Columbian craftsmen, whose diverse and checkered pasts match the patchwork patterns of the wicker chairs they’ve made, and whose craftsmanship will stand as a lasting testament to their dedication.

Shepard Fairey’s Latest Wall Mural
167 Northwest 25th Street
Miami, FL 33127
Note: Conceived by Tony Goldman in 2009, the Wynwood Walls project has become a mecca for some of the most important street art ever seen. What was originally an industrial district has been revitalized as a home to the graffiti scene, so it should come as little surprise that Shepard Fairey and a gang of his disciples just descended on the area to take over a massive portion of wall with his iconic street art. This spot is not to be missed.