I have been gypsetting so much around the globe that I have neglected the wonderful travel opportunities my own country has to offer. So when the opportunity presented itself when I decided to make a last-minute cancellation of my last planned trip to Italy, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to check out the melting pot that is Miami, and to attend Art Basel, the art show for modern and contemporary art.
What can I say, Miami is such a fascinating city. So eclectic and colorful, it’s a kaleidoscope of people and cultures steeped in history and nostalgia. It really paints a diverse picture of the Caribbean, Native American, and Italian influences.
Old School
A Local Enjoying the Attention
On our first day on the way into the Scope International Gallery, I ran (no pun intended) to a fixture in Miami, Robert “Raven” Kraft, the country music song writer who has achieved international fame running Miami Beach every single day since 1975.
Robert “Raven” Kraft
I loved discovering the many flavors of Miami, but the real education for me was the art. I have never really been a fan of contemporary art. Not because I don’t find beauty or genius in it. I’ve just always been more of an impressionist kind of girl, drawn to the small visible brush strokes, the depiction of light in the work and that you are catching a glimpse into the experience of strangers. So, I was fortunate enough to be gypsetting and attending Art Basel with my dear and fabulous friend Sonya, who is an artist herself. This gave me the ability to take the work in from a different perspective with her very knowledgeable opinions. On our gallery visits we discovered so many different techniques and mediums these fantastic artists have created, it took us on a journey of abstract enlightenment.
Sonya and I Enjoying Our Day in the Sun
Lisa Ross
Lisa Ross
My own take on this piece. I photographed it to have the reflection of another piece, the neon nooses, in the cross. Creepy….
Ray Caesar
I found so many beautiful and unique pieces that I adored, but I’ve realized that I gravitate more times than not to the pieces which use words to evoke their meaning and emotion. So for me, I really came away with a favorite, Tracy Emin. Her pieces spoke to me because of the power of her words, real statement pieces to inspire and challenge, that aren’t veiled in metaphor and symbolism as you can see in the photos immediately below.
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Tracey Emin
Tracey Emin
I always considered Miami to be hedonistic city, risqué and indulgent. However, on this trip I feel like I woke up! It really opened my eyes to all this city has to offer. An it really was such an interesting balance to have the experience of discovering and learning about the art and the journey it took me on within myself in such a contrasting background as the city of Miami. I would recommend it to anyone!
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Mel Bochner
Mel Bochner
Wow! Miami is indeed more than I thought, too. Thanks for sharing!
Miami is an amazing city and I have always loved, respected, hated and feared it. All in that order. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your experience at Art Basel. I too, tend to enjoy less contemporary pieces of art, but I do find that they are fascinating conversation starters…and maybe that’s what it’s really all about.