 
Above: Michael Sonnenreich, Virginia Shore, and John Mason. Right: Mark
T. Smith with his piece, REHAB (Photo by Janet Donovan).
“IT’S FASCINATING TO BE
in a global stampede of art where 400 million dollars
can be spent in four days.”
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creativity in the span of a couple of days; it
charges one’s batteries for the rest of the year,”
Hilda Brillembourg remarked.
Sotheby’s Institute of Art – which offers
courses in “Contemporary Art” and “The
Business of Art” as part of a preparatory
program for careers in many sectors of the
international art world – was spearheaded by
Advisory Board Member JoAnn Mason. “Art
Basel is a chance to mingle with collectors,
curators, dealers, critics and art enthusiasts from
all over the world. Sotheby’s student program
is for those who want a more in-depth
experience during the fair,” Mason said.
The morning call was to the gallery of Rosa
and Carlos de la Cruz, a structural phenomenon
well known in art circles. Guests also appreciated
the croissant and jelly laden breakfast with
Cuban coffee on the sprawling lawn, which
gave one ample opportunity to soak in the sun
and fl oral scents of Miami.
“Here are some recent acquisitions,” Isabel
Ernst explained, giving guests a guided tour of
her former childhood home. “My mother [Rosa
de la Cruz] spends part of her year traveling,
especially to Germany, where she visits artists and
galleries. She is not really a collector, but a patron.
When she commits to a work, she commits to |
the artist by following the artist’s career; she really
enjoys helping out younger artists,” Ernst said.
“I was totally captivated by new digital art
and art forms,” said Gaal Schott, recalling the
weekend. “I was especially impressed by those
that Rosa has among her collection: Christopher
Wool, Kelly Walker and Jonathan Meese. The
linen art of Sergei Jensen, the Polish paintings of
Paulina Olowaka and the installation art of Felix
Gonzales Torres were amazing.”
She continued: “The de la Cruz collection
was my favorite treat; so cutting-edge; it was a
feast for the eyes. To share these works of art
with 1,000 people each day for breakfast was
the ultimate generosity. Meeting artist Jorge
Pardo, whose work as a designer of lighting
fi xtures, sculptures and paintings demonstrates
the deep connection between designer and
artist, was a privilege.”
The four-day visual marathon, which the
New York Times referred to as “art Costco for
billionaires,” showcased more than 2,000 artists
and nearly as many celebrities in hot pants.
“It’s hard to describe the scale and breadth
of Art Basel Miami Beach; it simply must
be experienced fi rsthand,” said Washington
artist Mark T. Smith, who showed his own
work there. |
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BIKINIS, MOJITOS, AND
RAUSHENBERGS
Life’s a Beach at Art Basel Miami
B Y I S A B E L E R N S T
The 2007 Art Basel Miami Beach
became a romp in the sun for artloving
Washingtonians joining 40,000 other
hipsters for the biggest art-o-rama this side
of the Atlantic.
From December 5-
9, over 20 parallel
fairs included over
1,115 galleries
selling new, chic,
fantastic, progressive,
transgressive, and
ironic art from
global artists (not
to mention parties,
parties, parties, Miami-beach style).
What was there? Shoes and watches,
children’s toys and sex toys, kaleidoscopes,
aprons, corn houses, a potato-powered camera
that photographed the sun before being stolen,
giant canvases, 600 nudes in a hotel, medicine
cabinets, sequins, Paris Hilton painted by a
mental patient, chains, candy, art, and Art, and
maybe a little junk, too.
When Paul McCarthy’s Chocolate Santas
failed to satisfy, the svelte, Perrier Jouetsipping
crowd eyed Jorge Pargo’s exhibition
“House” at MOCA and The Moore Space’s
show, “French Kissin’ in the U.S.A,” which
showed works from 19 new French artists.
Craig Robins and Dacra Development
sponsored exhibitions in the Miami Design
District that merged art and design.
Rosa and Carlos Cruz’s guests admired
Latin-American art in the couple’s waterfront
home. The Rubells opened their museumhome
to 2,000 guests, who donned latex
gloves before eating croissants, eggs, and
bacon at a post-postmodern buffet.
For the slim, stylish Washingtonian with
money (and pasty skin) to burn, the 2007
Art Basel Miami Beach was the place to see,
be seen, and see Art. 2008’s fair can only be a
must-go show – let’s hope the Mojitos wear
off by then! |
