Wizard or Bill Nye the “Science Guy” experiment. Held aloft by the breeze from a pair of facing pedestal fans, the piece was as simple as a pocket comb but imbued with the whimsical aerodynamics of a gee-whiz Mr. Younger, more experimental galleries were dispersed around the peripheral margins of the convention center under the heading of Basel Nova, where New York’s Spencer Brownstone Gallery displayed Zilvinas Kempinas’ floating loop of magnetic tape. ![]() Sam Keller, the head organizer of ABMB did a brilliant job of expanding the scope of offerings and, like Bill Gates, of assimilating all competing impulses. The pressroom was stocked with gourmet coffee, bottled water, and high-speed Internet connections, while the collectors’ lounge, glimpsed on a down low recon during the pre-opening tour, was decked out in taffeta drapes, banquettes of white lilies, and internally illuminated Lucite tables (I’ll never settle for tourist class again!). Photo by James Kalm.Īfter a fifteen-minute interrogation, mug shot and background check, I finally charmed my way into a set of credentials and a press packet including ABMB’s beautiful six-pound catalog, along with a half-pound of maps, guides and schedules, not to forget the notebook and pen, all encased in a white designer “man-purse” with fluorescent logo and elastic strap, (meant, I suppose, to prevent shoulder pain from lugging that hefty tome around). More than 600 galleries applied for inclusion, and only 200 were accepted, 40 more than last year, representing over 1500 artists.Īrt Basel Miami Beach 2006: overview. It’s a fairly accurate paraphrase of a statement by a security supervisor at the December 7th opening of Art Basel Miami Beach, the greatest art event in the Americas, the Academy Awards and Super Bowl all wrapped up in a nice convenient package (and that doesn’t even include the ancillary fairs, private gallery projects, and guerrilla/freelance happenings).Īs the beginning of December drew near, a convergence of factors seemed intent on whipping up the art market: Wall Street bonuses at record levels, gung-ho real estate prices, and a weak dollar that made even the recent bubble in auction sales look like bargains to European and Asian collectors.ĭenial and exclusion inflame desire, and the organizers of ABMB have perfected the technique. Do not charge the gates.” The white cordons are lowered and the crowd surges forward. Once again, there is plenty of art for everyone. IP card-holders to the left, all others to the right. There is plenty of art for everyone to buy. On behalf of public safety we ask that you not charge the gates. “Ladies and gentlemen, in approximately five minutes we will open the doors on Art Basel Miami Beach 2006.
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