Last week art enthusiasts, collectors, celebrities, and the young and fashionable descended on Miami Beach for Art Basel. Here’s an event recap of some of the week’s best:
MOCA and Vanity Fair hosted their annual Art Basel Miami Beach kickoff party on Tuesday, December 4. The event was a partnership with (Belvedere)RED vodka, and specialty cocktails featuring the spirit were the fare of the night for guests. The party doubled as a celebration of the opening of Bill Viola’s Liber Insularum at the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami. Those on the scene included Vanity Fair international editor’s Sandra Brant and Ingrid Sischy as well as actor Christian Slater.
Soho Beach House was alive with music the night of Tuesday, December 4. Famous faces like Russell Simmons and Chelsea Handler partied late into the night sipping Bombay Sapphire specialty cocktails and Veuve Clicquot champagne. Guests also danced to the music of DJ Arthur Baker who spun tunes atop a pool converted into a stage and dance floor. A temporary space directly on the beachfront also featured live performances by DJ Mia Moretti and Caitlyn Moe. The party celebrated the kickoff of Art Basel Miami Beach and was hosted by White Cube’s Jay Jopling and Soho Beach House’s Nick Jones.
Wednesday, December 5, Dior Homme hosted the opening of its new boutique. The event was held at the Moore building in Miami’s design district. Live music from Azari & III and DJ Bradley Soileau added to the celebratory atmosphere of the night. And the highlight of the party was photographer Bruce Weber’s world premiere of his film I Can Make Music Fly, which was created especially for the Dior Homme Miami opening. The film was introduced by party co-hosts Kris Van Assche and Stephano Tonchi.
Ruinart Champagne partnered with Creative Time to host an exclusive brunch in celebration of the release of Miroir; a new collection created by Herve Van der Straeten for Ruinart. The brunch was held Thursday, December 6 at Villa Azur on Miami Beach. Invitees included artist Mickalene Thomas and arts patron Toby Devan Lewis.
The Bass Museum opened its doors to Haunch of Venison and the Stephen Friedman Gallery. The two galleries partnered to host a dinner honoring artist Ged Quinn whose work, along with five other artists, was included in The Bass Museum’s Endless Renaissance exhibition. Haunch of Venison director Emilio Steinberger and Bass Museum director Silvia Cubina both made appearances at the dinner.
The Lincoln Center hosted a cocktail event with Maria Baibakova who opened her home to the art world elite to celebrate artist Matthew Brannon’s commission for the Lincoln Center. Guests sipped drinks and chatted while enjoying the view of Miami’s skyline from the Setai penthouse. And collectors like Oleg Baybakov, Richard Chang and Adam Sender had the opportunity to view pieces from Baibakova’s personal collection, which were installed throughout her home.
