Art Basel

Winners of Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series Chosen

Filed under: Art

Bombay Sapphire Gin and Russell and Danny Simmons' Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation teamed up to create the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series, a nationwide search to discover new talents in urban photography and multi-media art. During a series of regional gallery events, twenty artists from these two categories were shortlisted and invited to Miami for a grand finale event during Art Basel. A jury panel which included Rush Philanthropic co-founders Russell and Danny Simmons, the program's national curator Andre Guichard, photographer Eric Henderson and Marc Ecko chose Washington, DC photographer Stan Squirewell and Miami artist Jorge Cavalier as the first ever winners of the series. Both artists will have their work installed at the Rush Arts Gallery in Manhattan from Jan. 13 to 27, 2011. Squirewell's acrylic on pigment print is titled The Carbon Anomaly and Cavalier's three piece sculpture comes from a series titled Labyrinths. The two winners were chosen from nearly two thousand artists who submitted work for consideration.

Tags: art, art basel, bombay sapphire, jorge cavalier, stan squirewell

Fiat Rounds Out the Year of Art Cars at Exhibitalia

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Art

As the year draws to a close, we're inclined to unofficially name 2010 as the Year of the Art Car. Since we last changed our calendars, César's McLaren supercar went up for sale, Jeff Koons lent his brush to a BMW race car and an Aston Martin, Francoise Nielly painted the Citroën Survolt concept car, and Laurence Gartel did the same with a Tesla Roadster.

But the latter wasn't the only art car showcased at this year's Art Basel festival in Miami. At the four-day Exhibitalia event held there, Fiat led multiple artists to create works inspired by the Fiat 500. Some used parts of the car as their canvas, but one Christian Balzano transformed the entire vehicle into an art car. The last of the year? With mere weeks to go until 2011, we can only assume, but the new year will have a real task on its hands trying to top this one.

Gallery: Fiat 500 at Exhibitalia

Tags: 500, art basel, art basel 2010, art basel miami 2010, Art basel Miami Beach, Art Basel Miami Beach 2010, art car, exhibitalia, fiat

"Queequeq - The Maybach Sculpture" by Julian Schnabel

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Art

Luxury automaker Maybach has undertaken a series of sponsorship initiatives in the world of art. The program revolves around the work of one Julian Schnabel, an American artist and filmmaker, and was announced during Art Basel week in Miami, where Schnabel unveiled a piece entitled "Queequeq – The Maybach Sculpture" and auctioned off several of his works to benefit relief efforts still underway in Haiti.

The sculpture is inspired by "Moby Dick" and named after the harpoon thrower in the classic Melville novel, but that's only the start of the initiative. Schnabel also directed a film about Maybach, and an artistic development initiative will be undertaken by the artist and the automaker to mentor up-and-coming talent. Finally Maybach also announced a partnership with the Louvre in Paris whereby a rotating exhibit of sculptures will be displayed in the museum's glass pyramid.

Gallery: Queequeq – The Maybach Sculpture by Julian Schnabel

Tags: art basel, julian schnabel, louvre, maybach, moby dick, queequeq, queequeq - the maybach sculpture, sculpture, the louvre

Tesla Roadster Art Car by Laurence Gartel

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Art

Though mankind has manipulated the former for far longer than the latter, art and electricity needn't exist in isolation from one another. That's what Laurence Gartel asserted with his digital creations in the 1970s, and what he's now done in the form of an art car.

Typically the domain of BMW, the Gartel art car uses an electric Tesla Roadster as its canvas. The eclectic masterpiece was created for and unveiled at the Art Basel festival last week in Miami, but you can take a closer look in the gallery below.

Gallery: Tesla Roadster Art Car by Laurence Gartel

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Tags: art basel, Art basel Miami Beach, art car, laurence gartel, tesla, tesla roadster

Celebrities At Art Basel

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Art

Celebrities have converged on Miami Beach this week for some warm weather and to do a little holiday art shopping. Art Basel Miami Beach takes place December 2 - 5, 2010. The art show, the little sister of Switzerland's Art Basel, combines an international selection of top galleries with special exhibitions and plenty of parties. The shows attract plenty of deep pockets and a far amount of celebrity art lovers as well. Ahead of the official launch Naomi Campbell, Danny Glover and others arrived to enjoy the flurry of events around the show. Some are also there to exhibit like Julian Lennon, the musician turned photographer who was showing "Timeless," a collection of 30 hand-signed portraiture and landscape photographs.

The event at the Miami Convention Center features 250 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa will exhibit 20th and 21st century artworks by over 2,000 artists. Special sections feature young galleries, performance art, public art projects and video art. A one-day ticket is available for $36. The ArtNexus guided tours are available daily during show hours and are guided by established art critics. A one-hour tour is $20.

Gallery: Celebrities At Art Basel

Tags: art basel, art basel 2010, art basel miami 2010, Art basel Miami Beach, Art Basel Miami Beach 2010, calvin klein, danny glover, george hamilton, julian lennon, naomi cambell

Duncan Quinn's Stylish Den of Iniquity at Art Basel

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Art, Men's Style, Luxury Shopping

Dashing designer Duncan Quinn, known for his roguish take on Savile Row style, is giving Miami's Art Basel a glamour injection courtesy of an ultra-cool pop-up boutique (above) opening today. Following the success of his lavish space at last year's festival complete with an indoor croquet pitch, this year's digs in the Design District's Moore Building are a veritable dandy's den of stylish iniquity, complete with a full-fledged casino, vintage sports cars, cocktails, a screening room showing classic Michael Caine films, and of course plenty of razor sharp threads.

Designed with a Casino Royale theme that would make James Bond himself hot under the collar, guests can take advantage of a bespoke lounge with Dormeuil fabrics, an installation of Ruby couture motorcycle helmets from France, cocktails from the mixologists at the Florida Room, and several limited edition items including the new line of Duncan Quinn sunglasses, polo shirts, jackets and more. Classic cars and motorbikes on display in the space include a 1954 Jaguar XK120, vintage Ducatis and Triumphs and Dime City Cycles' "Brass Café" Racer.

Gallery: Duncan Quinn Miami 2010

Tags: Art Basel, bespoke, boutique, Duncan Quinn, Jaguar, James Bond, mens style, Miami, Michael Caine, motorcycles, pop-up store, Savile Row

Taittinger to Unveil New Artist Collectors Edition Bottle at The Setai

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Wine, Events, Art

Famed French champagne house Taittinger will unveil the newest limited edition bottle in its coveted Taittinger Collection series at an event toasting the kick-off of Miami Art Basel on Saturday at the luxurious Setai in South Beach. Since 1985 Taittinger has commissioned an artist to create a special bottle for its glorious bubbly every year. For this, the 12th edition in the Collection, Taittinger selected artist Amadou Sow for the quality and originality of his work, along with his cultural artistic identity. The artist's design (above) graces a bottle of the 2002 vintage of Taittinger Brut Millésimé, which is produced only in the best years from select Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes grown in vineyards in several of the finest microclimates of France's Champagne region. Meanwhile the Setai also recently celebrated the reopening of its eatery The Grill with newly appointed Executive Chef David Werly, who brings his take on the space offering a fresh menu and alternative to the Asian cuisine of The Restaurant with European inspired menu items.

Tags: art, Art Basel, champagne, Florida, Miami, Setai, South Beach, Taittinger

Champagne Ruinart Stages Exhibit at The Betsy for Art Basel

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Wine, Events, Art

During Art Basel in Miami, luxe hotel The Betsy South Beach is playing host to the works of ten emerging artists commissioned by Ruinart, the world's oldest champagne House, established in 1729. The exhibition kicks off today highlighting a commitment to the arts from both organizations. Ruinart, the official champagne of Art Basel Miami Beach, combed the country seeking talent for the exhibition and selected ten artists considered among the most creative and innovative in their mediums. Their works were produced using classic and avant-garde techniques, in a variety of mediums, including photography, painting and sculpture. Artists were inspired by many facets of the famed champagne, from Ruinart's unique bottle shape to the history of its creator Dom Ruinart. The series of unique works will ultimately be auctioned in New York to benefit the non-profit organization The Art of Elysium.

Tags: Art Basel, Betsey Hotel, champagne, exhibition, Miami, Ruinart, South Beach, The Art of Elysium, The Betsy

Art Basel Attracts Abramovich, Kilmer, Millions

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art

The exclusive opening of Art Basel – for the most serious buyers – had the desired effect. The most famous art show in the world attracted the likes of art collector Roman Abramovich (however much it may be at the behest of his squeeze) and fetched some major sales, including $15 million for a sculpture by Pablo Picasso.

So, who joined Abramovich in scratching the art itch ... one that's been hard to scratch since the art market collapsed in 2008? Well, Val Kilmer, Peter Brant and Laurence Graff were among the elite.

Prices haven't returned to 2007 levels, noted art dealer Nicholas Maclean to Bloomberg News, but he added that the top stuff is selling well. This doesn't exactly defy common sense, of course. There are 303 galleries at Art Basel this year, and they're all hoping to ride this wave.

A Christie's International auction in Paris the day before Art Basel started set the tone for the affair. A sculpture by Amedeo Modigliani moved for $53 million, setting a record for the French auction market.

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Tags: amadeo modigliani, art auction, art auctions, art basel, art market, auction house, auction houses, christies, ChristiesAuctionHouse, laurence graff, modligiani, peter brant, roman abramovich, val kilmer

Duncan Quinn Opens Ltd. Edition Pop-Up in Miami

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Spirits, Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Men's Style

Art Basel isn't the only thing taking Miami by storm - dashing designer Duncan Quinn has opened a limited edition pop-up shop in the city's design district that's a shrine to gentlemanly pursuits and fine tailoring. In addition to his full range of Savile Row-inspired menswear the British-born bon vivant's 6,000-sq.-ft. space features a full-sized indoor croquet pitch; a 1962 Maserati 3500GT, one of only 359 made, specially ordered and owned by famed Formula One driver Peter Revson; and a killer collection of vintage Ducati motorbikes, including a 450 Desmo from the 70's, a 350 Desmo, built in 1969 and a 1985 F1 prototype.

There are also limited edition croquet shirts and t-shirts exclusive to the venue; a bespoke lounge with Dormeuil fabrics; an installation of Ruby couture motorcycle helmets from France; Hendrick's Gin cocktails; and more. Famed shoe designer Christian Louboutin, who has his own op-up shop down the block, was their first customer, coming in to buy an outfit for his own opening, while Birmingham band The Twang, who opened the Glastonbury Festival in front of 500,000 people, played a one-off show for the DQ faithful there on Friday night. The shop will be open until Dec. 12th, then once a month for dinners and tastings and otherwise by appointment.

Tags: Art Basel, ArtBasel, Christian Louboutin, ChristianLouboutin, croquet, Ducati, Duncan Quinn, DuncanQuinn, Maserati, Miami, motorcycle, Savile Row, SavileRow, The Twang, TheTwang

The Edgier Side Of Art Basel Miami Beach

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art

Last night we showed you some scenes from Art Basel Miami Beach. Now our friends from Plum TV are back with a couple of new videos. These videos showcase the edgier sides of Art Basel Miami Beach, the shows and parties that are more open to emerging artists and art collectors. Above is a quick video from the Gen Art Vanguard Party.

After the jump is a look at the NADA fair. The New Art Dealers Alliance event is a great place to find art at a more accessible price point and get in on the ground floor with some artists whose prices might be quite higher in a few years.

Tags: art basel, art basel miami beach, ArtBasel, ArtBaselMiamiBeach, plum tv, PlumTv

Continue reading “The Edgier Side Of Art Basel Miami Beach”

You Can Own A Piece of the Moon - Really!

by Deb West (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art, Books

This past summer Taschen released Moonfire the comprehensive photographic essay with text originally written by Norman Mailer to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing. For the holiday season they are releasing the Lunar Rock Edition which allows regular people to own a piece of the moon, for a price!

It is incredibly rare for an average person to have access to lunar rock. Most lunar meteorites are in the possession of scientific institutions and museum collections. Given that there are only about 70 known meteorites with a combined weight of 55 kilograms, it makes lunar rocks more valuable than diamonds, a truly rare substance on Earth.

Each of the 12 special editions come with an individual piece of lunar rock . The rock and the book are presented in a case designed by Marc Newson one of the most influential living designers of our time. His work commands the highest prices and has broken the record for auction prices paid for current designers, most notably in April 2009 when Lockheed lounge sold for $1.825 million in London.

The book itself is a fascinating compilation of photographs of what has been called the most historic event of the 20th century. The photographs have been culled from the archives of Life magazine, NASA and are paired with text by Norman Mailer. There is also an archival quality numbered photographic print signed by Buzz Aldrin included with the book.

The final 12 lunar rock editions are on sale for 60,000 Euros and come with an authenticated and documented piece of lunar rock which varies in size, color and density.

Lunar Rock edition 1,969 features a piece found in Morocco that weighs in at 348 grams and is one of the largest meteorites to be found on earth that has not been cut into smaller portions for scientific research. The purchaser of this ultimate edition will also receive an invitation to a private dinner with Buzz Aldrin in Los Angeles. The price of this unique edition will set you back almost as much as a trip to the moon itself costing 480,000 Euros!

If you'd like to see it all in person, the Lunar Rock Edition of Norman Mailer's Moonfire is being exhibited at the Taschen booth during Art Basel in Miami from December 2-5, 2009. Otherwise you can head over to the Taschen web-site for an in depth look at the book and its photos.

Gallery: Moonfire Lunar Rock Edition

Tags: Art Basel, ArtBasel, Buzz Aldrin, BuzzAldrin, life magazine, LifeMagazine, lunar roock, LunarRoock, luxury books, LuxuryBooks, Marc Newson, MarcNewson, Meteor, meteorites, Moonfire, Norman Mailer, NormanMailer, Taschen

Art Basel Miami Beach: It's About the Art Again

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art

Art Basel Miami Beach starts on Thursday, and the word "test" is being used instead of "expectation." Even though there have been signs this month that the art market is turning the corner (or at least trying), caution remains pervasive, and the market is still seen to be fragile. The fair's organizers have said that profits will be down at least 20 percent for everyone involved, because of lower prices and a decline in the number of exhibitors.

Sixty of last year's participants have dropped out already, and the number of satellite art fairs around Art Basel Miami Beach has fallen from 22 to 16. Layout changes are taking the shift in participation and making it benefit those who remain. Exhibit space has been increased by 20 percent, and booths in the main art galleries area will be larger, as a result. This is where most of the action is. Eighty-five percent of the dealers have come back, and the number of stands has increased from 265 to 270.

Though prices are expected to be down at the Miami fair this year, artists and galleries aren't giving their work away. Emmanuel Perrotin, the Paris gallery, is trying to move Takashi Murakami's "Warp," painted this year, for $1.5 million. The same gallery is also pushing a Duane Hanson sculpture for $425,000 and a photographic print by Paola Pivi for $33,000. Edward Tyler Nahem, a first-timer at Art Basel Miami Beach, has a room full of paintings by Alejandra Icaza, which are selling for $35,000 a piece.

The crowd in Miami is likely to be a return to past decades, in which art collectors and investors -- rather than what Todd Levin, director of Levin Art Group calls the "fashionista crowd" -- dominate the scene. Art Basel Miami Beach thus might become an art fair again.

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Tags: art, art basel, Art basel Miami Beach, art exhibit, art exhibits, art fair, art galleries, Art Gallery, art market, art show, ArtBasel, ArtBaselMiamiBeach, ArtExhibit, ArtExhibits, ArtFair, ArtGalleries, ArtGallery, artist, ArtMarket, ArtShow, artwork, new york, NewYork, paris, Takashi Murakami, TakashiMurakami, todd levin, ToddLevin

Brad Pitt Spends $1 Million At Art Basel

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Celebrity Shopping, Art

My colleague Tom Johansmeyer mentioned the other day that the Art Basel exhibit in Switzerland was bracing for a slump but the art affair has had a boost from a celebrity buyer. Brad Pitt caused a stir when he showed up to check out the exhibits and spent $1 million on a new artwork to add to his collection. He bought Neo Rauch's 9-foot rainbow-coloured racetrack painting Etappe which shows a driver behind a red, Formula One-style race-car. Pitt was in good company, he was seen with billionaire art collector Eli Broad. In fact, the Daily Mail reports that Broad encouraged Pitt to buy the painting telling him that if he didn't buy it than Broad and his wite Edythe would. Also seen at the exhibition were Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and his girlfriend Daria Zhukova, designer Karl Lagerfeld and model Naomi Campbell.

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Tags: art basel, ArtBasel, brad pitt, BradPitt, eli broad, EliBroad, karl lagerfeld, KarlLagerfeld, neo rauch, NeoRauch

Art Basel Braces for Slump

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art

The major pieces that typically define Art Basel, the world's largest art fair, are being eschewed last year in response to the largest art market plunge in nearly 20 years. If you're hoping to see the likes of Andy Warhol's work at the show in Switzerland this year, you'll have to hunt. The show opens to VIP visitors today, but you won't see much up-market art in attendance among the 300 galleries and 2,500 artists represented.

Galleries and dealers are being realistic. Average auction prices fell 76.2 percent from May 2008 to the present, according to ArtTactic, a London-based company that analyzes the market. The unexpected $93.7 million result at the Christie's contemporary art auction in May was based on lowered expectations, tainting the success. Consequently, the art on display is generally "priced to sell." A small 1964 Warhol silkscreen self-portrait is being offered for $675,000, though it would have been put up for a $1 million last year. Effectively, prices have returned to 2005 levels.

Of course, a lucky few will be able to take care of the "shadow fair" that's likely to emerge at Art Basel this year. While some will be stuck working the booths, others will strike private deals, usually involving pieces offered on consignment from collectors.

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Tags: andy warhol, AndyWarhol, art, art basel, art market, ArtBasel, ArtMarket, artwork, basel, switzerland, warhol