A view of the beach from the Ritz Carton. Photo AFC
Aqua and Scope reviews are in the queue, but in the meantime, a few art fair observations.
- Overall the hotel as a venue seems to be dwindling in popularity, a positive fair trend.
- This is pure speculation, but Art Basel seems to be moving away from showcasing emerging galleries and art. A dealer recently wondered whether they might try to double in size and absorb some of the smaller fairs though I think that’s unlikely for a number of reasons, namely that they have a three year contract with the Convention Center, and rumor has it they are discontinuing the containers.
- Contemporary art trends include: skull art, goopy painting, Barry McGee inspired art, 3-D printing technology, naked Asian girls, penises in buckets (spotted at Basel and Aqua South Beach).
- The worst traffic known to man on account of the fact that no one seemed to think that placing all those fairs on a super narrow street in Wynwood might cause a few problems. Also, people here drive like assholes.
- The Miami scam: Scary stories abound about restaurants that don’t tell you their drinks cost twenty bucks each, and charge the same for a sandwich. Cab rates vary based on what hotel you’re staying at and how much they think they can hose you for.
- Taco Bell on 36th street. You might get away with eating there once, but twice is pushing it. Only the Taco Supreme is safe.
- Stayed in a hotel that provided only one bed sheet and it wasn’t fitted. It also had a plush headboard nailed to the wall. However, the price is right, it’s very close to Wynwood, and they provide complimentary parking. Next time I’ll bring my own sheets.
{ 13 comments }
Interesting that they’re thinking of getting rid of the shipping containers. I, for one, hope they don’t. Skulls are still in full effect? Really? I thought surely the 10,000,000 skulls in Venice (and at White Cube) and everywhere else summer 2007 had put a stop to that. I guess not. I wonder if it still counts as a trend?
Interesting that they’re thinking of getting rid of the shipping containers. I, for one, hope they don’t. Skulls are still in full effect? Really? I thought surely the 10,000,000 skulls in Venice (and at White Cube) and everywhere else summer 2007 had put a stop to that. I guess not. I wonder if it still counts as a trend?
The shipping containers have been a big disappointment for the past several years. I think it’s time to downsize……there’s already too much to take in each year.
The shipping containers have been a big disappointment for the past several years. I think it’s time to downsize……there’s already too much to take in each year.
The shipping containers have been a big disappointment for the past several years. I think it’s time to downsize……there’s already too much to take in each year.
In closing LP and I counted 40 skulls – give or take 5 – in the 11 fairs that we went to for an average of 3.64 skulls per fair.
On the hoser note I spent $15 dollars on a cup of coffee and an additional $15 on a grill cheese sandwich – made with what I suspect were Kraft Singles – before getting in a cab for the airport.
It was a sweet, sweet South Beach farewell.
In closing LP and I counted 40 skulls – give or take 5 – in the 11 fairs that we went to for an average of 3.64 skulls per fair.
On the hoser note I spent $15 dollars on a cup of coffee and an additional $15 on a grill cheese sandwich – made with what I suspect were Kraft Singles – before getting in a cab for the airport.
It was a sweet, sweet South Beach farewell.
Also, people here drive like assholes.
You are correct! Now imagine living there for thirty years. Come visit us in Boston – I have some stories for you.
Also, people here drive like assholes.
You are correct! Now imagine living there for thirty years. Come visit us in Boston – I have some stories for you.
I think you have forgotten the HUGE and played out contemporary art trend of taxidermy. I saw dead animals everywhere, including dead horses and baby deer at bridge, squirrels everywhere, and a dead wolf at scope. They were mostly wearing clothes, too.
I think you have forgotten the HUGE and played out contemporary art trend of taxidermy. I saw dead animals everywhere, including dead horses and baby deer at bridge, squirrels everywhere, and a dead wolf at scope. They were mostly wearing clothes, too.
Did they at least shellac them?
Did they at least shellac them?
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