The 2024 edition of Art Basel Miami Beach debuts to the public December 6 through 8, under the leadership of new director Bridget Finn. Now in its 22nd year, the fair brings together 286 galleries from 38 countries, including 34 first-time presenters—the largest group of newcomers since 2008.
Whitewaller spoke with Finn about Art Basel Miami Beach’s unparalleled program.
Courtesy of Art Basel.
WHITEWALLER: Excitingly, in this year’s edition are 34 first-time presenters. What do you think that means for the energy of the fair in Miami?
BRIDGET FINN: We’re so excited to welcome this group of exhibitors. I’m so thrilled to have them. And it is, it’s the largest cohort of new exhibitors in over 10 years. And they’re across all sectors and a number of them are from Asia. I think the new galleries will really bring a genuine excitement to the show floor that I’m very excited to have there.
We have galleries like Gordon Robichaux—it’s their first time in the show, and they’re bringing work by Agosto Machado. We have representation from cities like Portland, Dallas, Chicago, and Toronto, which is quite exciting.
“I think the new galleries will really bring a genuine excitement to the show floor that I’m very excited to have there,” — Bridget Finn
Courtesy of Art Basel.
Briget Finn on a More Equitable Art Basel Miami Beach
WW: This year’s edition is more equitable. There are more opportunities for exhibitors, like smaller booth sizes, for example. Why was that important for the fair?
BF: It’s difficult when you’re a gallerist, and especially in this moment, to scale your business and to meet the needs of the artists that you represent and to grow things in a timeline that works for everyone. As a fair, we’re thinking about what we can do to support galleries. So if you take a smaller footprint, that costs less, which just creates more balance and equity. This year we’re able to provide smaller booth options. It really has been just a great addition to what we’re able to offer the galleries.
“As a fair, we’re thinking about what we can do to support galleries,” — Bridget Finn
WW: And Meridians has a new curator this year, Yasmil Raymond. Can you tell us more about that?
BF: Meridians is in its fifth year. So it felt like a natural moment to introduce a new curator. We really tried to think through establishing a renewed focus on monumental sculpture—including painting and installation—in a way where you traverse them and you have the ability to walk around them and really feel the scale and the emotional quality. We moved it to the south end of the show floor, to connect Nova and Positions. It will create this almost sculpture-park feeling in the midst of the show.
Courtesy of Art Basel.
Which Exhibitions Bridget Finn is Excited to See in Miami
WW: Outside of the fair, what are you excited to see in Miami?
BF: I was in Miami recently, and I was able to attend the opening of Rachel Feinstein’s show at The Bass, which was excellent. José Parlá is also doing a show called “Homecoming” at the Pérez Art Museum Miami. I did have a little sneak peek on those works in the studio. I’m super excited to see that. I’m excited to see Lucy Bull is at ICA Miami. And Alexandre Arrechea at Locust Projects.
Courtesy of Art Basel.
