JOURNAL

The Jacober Creative Guide to Art Basel & Miami Art Week

By JACOBER CREATIVE

Design, Illustrations, Our Studio, Inspire

From Basquiat to Banksy, installations to Insta-moments, water taxis to super yachts, New York gallerinas to European whales – Art Basel & Miami Art Week, in all its chaotic frivolity, come to town in just a matter of days. An exhaustive arty party that we look forward to every year, it’s never too early (or too late) to plan your mode of attack. And while everyone’s worried about which party to attend and how to get on the guest list, there’s something we’ve learned as seasoned Baselers: keep it selective.

The people having the most fun at Basel are the ones who choose quality over quantity. Where to start? Here’s what we’re looking forward to in our Jacober Basel Bible.

All About that Art Fair

Faena Art Festival

What Faena is lacking in the effortlessly cool department it makes up for in over-the-top, in-your-face eye candy. Called This is Not America, the Faena Festival will tell the stories of “America” and explore it as a place, a concept and a myth, transforming the glitzy hotel into an experiential platform. All programming is open to the public, and there’s so much happening you could camp out on the property – or just don a wide-brimmed white hat and pretend like you own the place.

Collins Avenue from 32nd to 36th Street
December 4 - December 9
12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
www.faenaart.org

Design/Miami

Easily our favorite fair every year, Design Miami is back with a new monumental entrance by Mexico City artists Pedro Reyes and Carla Fernandez, a beautifully designed (RED) Auction booth highlighting a Marc Newsom designed diamond ring, new galleries, and of course, art talks galore. Trust us, we don’t normally like sitting for lectures, but we enjoy hearing invited speakers who include acclaimed artists, designers, and architects, distilling the art world into practical terms. Find us at “Social Sculpture: Sustainability and Social Systems” on Thursday afternoon — we'll save you a seat.

Design/Miami
19th and Meridian, Miami Beach
December 5 - December 9
designmiami.com

Untitled Miami Beach

Easily the fair closest to the sand (because you’re on it), this edition of Untitled tackles social issues with programming that touches on politics, our selfie-obsessed culture, and workplace exploitation. We could easily write dissertations on these topics, but sadly weren’t invited to contribute this year…thank you, next!

Untitled Miami Beach
8th and Collins, Miami Beach
December 5 - December 9
11:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Haas Brothers, Ferngully

By now you know we’re really kids at heart (with day jobs), so the Bass Museum’s newest exhibition really speaks to our inner child. LA-based artists/designers The Haas Brothers draw on the fantasy of the animated kids film Ferngully to bridge the gap between art, furniture and advocacy, in a museum setting. Their amorphous, animal-like pieces challenge the concept of furnishings, and inspire a little giggle to boot.

The Bass Museum
2100 Collins Ave,
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Opens December 5

Tschabala Self Interactive Lee's Deli Market

Artist Tschabalala Self’s installation is at once art and a functional market. Lee’s Oriental Market explores the ways in which ethnicity and race are commoditized by commercial food brands. It’s heady but the Lucky Me! neon light sculpture and funky checkered linoleum flooring keep it feeling easy breezy (like us).

Lee’s Oriental Market
Lee’s Deli & Market, 28 SE 1st Ave, Miami
Daily, 10:00am - 10:30pm

Bombay Sapphire Bash

Bombay Sapphire’s annual Artisan Series bash boasts marquee names this year, including host Kelly Rowland (#poormichelle) and a performance by the New York duo Sofi Tukker. Expect red carpets, strict bouncers and peak "Baselness." Bonus points if you go dressed up as Penelope Cruz channelling Donatella Versace. Ciao, darling!

The Villa Casa Casuarina
1114 Ocean Dr, Miami
December 6, 9:00 pm

(RED) Auction

Expect celebrity sightings and works from the art gods, including Jeff Koons, Frank Gehry, Ai Weiwei, and Marilyn Minter (a Madonna favorite) at the third annual (RED) auction. And if you’re in the market for a new diamond (Graff is so passé) you might want to bid on the Jonny Ive and Marc Newsom designed diamond ring, made entirely out of a single diamond, and cut to the winning bidder's measurements. A portion raised supports the fight against AIDS.

Miami Design District
191 NE 40th Street, Miami, FL
December 1 – December 5
sothebys.com

Berkowitz Contemporary Foundation Unveiling

The Berkowitz Contemporary Foundation unveils the design for its new building, by starchitect and Jacober friend Rene Gonzalez. The preview party will also give guests a close up of the Foundation’s marquee M1534 by artist Philippe Parreno. One step closer to the Turrell.

Miami River Armory
873 NW 3 Street, Miami, FL
December 4th, 8:30 - 11:30 pm

Four Seasons “Pop Down”

Glide aboard the 312-ft Kismet superyacht with Questlove and a select group of the well-heeled (but tonight, barefoot) for a night of indulgence crafted by the world-renowned hospitality brand, Four Seasons. Docked at Island Gardens Marina, expect to eat the work of Michelin-starred chefs, drink from master mixologists, experience artist collaborations and see special performances.

Biscayne Bay
December 7th, Evening

For the Night Owls . . .

Everyone who knows about Basel & Miami Art Week knows it’s all about the parties as much as it is about the art. And for us, they’re one and the same.

It’s Electric at the Electric Pickle

Head to the Miami nightlife staple Electric Pickle (but not for long, they close in June) on the Saturday night of Basel for Mister Saturday Night. NYC duo Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin bring the vibes, keeping things bumping 'till the neighbors call the police.

2826 N Miami Ave,
Miami, FL 33127
December 8, late night

Do Not Sit on the Furniture, Art Basel Edition

Don’t want to venture off the beach for some well-curated late night grooves? Do Not Sit on the Furniture has great house disco and all around stellar tunes early into the next morning. Every night from December 5th to December 9th, head to the party to catch DJs like Felix Da Housecat and Hernan Cattaneo. And yes, you can sit on the furniture.

423 16th St,
Miami Beach, FL 33139
December 5 - December 9, late night

raw pop-up

"raw" takes over the former Macy’s space downtown for five days with more than 80 creators, performers and musicians whose work purposely disrupt the “look-don’t-touch” boundaries of Art Basel. Hidden on the ground floor, the multi-sensory experience brings art to the party with ALT_Future, a dystopian nightclub where the future is unknown.

1 Southwest 1st Street
Miami, FL 33131
December 5th – December 9th
8 pm to 4 am, Sunday 2 pm to 8 pm

Standard Sounds End of Basel Party

There’s no better way to end the week than at The Standard for a sundowner (cocktail in-hand). Always one of our favorites, this year’s Lazy Sunday BBQ: Art Basel Edition features Brooklyn-based party crew Tiki Disco who will keep the palm trees swaying all afternoon. Party starts at 2 pm. If you need us, you know where to look.

40 Island Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Paris Hilton

If all else fails, Miss Simple Life herself DJs at the Wall on Friday, December 7 (we know tacky but kitschy). We love a good throw back.

Wall Lounge
2201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach
Tickets cost $60 via tableist.com

Learn More About Miami

Want to learn more about our favorite Miami go-tos? Check out our guide to Lincoln Road or our favorite places in the Miami Design District. You can also find more posts on our blog for insider tips on Miami’s vegan restaurants and cool local brands.

Looking for a Creative Agency?

Are you a Miami company looking for a design agency to bring your ideas to life? Jacober Creative is a Miami Beach-based award-winning creative agency that specializes in graphic design, branding, logos, digital marketing, websites and video production. Let’s work together. [Contact Us]