Hello again, art lovers! It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since we had a week full of a lot of art, a lot of fun, a lot of friends, and very little sleep . . . but here we are again! Back in Miami to see the latest and greatest of what’s going on in the art world.
As always, my number one must-see and must-do is anything that the National YoungArts Foundation has going on. I encourage everyone to stop by the gallery on campus (2100 Biscayne Boulevard) to see “IMAGINATION LAND: Fantastical Narrative,” curated by multidisciplinary artist and YoungArts master teacher Derrick Adams, which features new and recent interdisciplinary works by 11 YoungArts alumni. This timely exhibition addresses consumerism, gender roles, the environment, and ceremonial ritual. While “IMAGINATION LAND” is Derrick’s curatorial debut with YoungArts, we’re also proud to support his very first solo show in Miami, “Black White and Brown” at Primary Projects. Anyone headed to PULSE Contemporary Art Fair should see “Searching,” curated by Helen Toomer and featuring works by 15 YoungArts alumni. The nonprofit’s artists will also be featured in “Fair” at Brickell City Centre and in a new collaboration with Samba Sol flip-flops, who will be unveiling artist-designed sandals during the week.
Photo by Nick Garcia, courtesy of National YoungArts Foundation.
I’m delighted to see so many Miami cultural institutions putting on such strong shows this year, and everyone is excited for the long-awaited opening of the ICA on December 1! The new building and sculpture garden will be free to all visitors, and the opening show features some of the most celebrated artists today, including Philip Guston (the exhibition of his work at the Venice Biennale was extraordinary), Carolee Schneemann (who has a stunning retrospective up at MoMA PS1), and Kerry James Marshall (whose amazing retrospective is on view at MOCA LA right now, coming from The Met and MCA Chicago). They also have commissioned a new Allora and Calzadilla for the sculpture garden, a thoughtful tribute to the crisis in Puerto Rico. I can’t wait to see Ugo Rondinone (one of my favorites!) at the newly reopened Bass Museum as well! PAMM will have “On the Horizon: Contemporary Cuban Art from the Jorge M. Pérez Collecton,” featuring over 170 works from the world’s leading contemporary Cuban artists, and a Dara Friedman show that I can’t wait to see!
I always make a beeline for the Gavin Brown booth as soon as I get to the fair, and this year will be no exception. He will be showing work by some of my all-time favorites, including Arthur Jafa, Rob Pruitt, Alex Katz, Sturtevant, and Jonathan Horowitz, among others.
Sarah Arison.
Photo by Nick Garcia, courtesy of National YoungArts Foundation.
If I ever get a moment to relax and recharge (ha!), I will be doing it at The Sacred Space and Plant Miami—home of the best raw-vegan food around, as well as meditation and yoga classes.
Finally, while I’m repeating myself from last year, it still holds true. Rest up, buy comfortable shoes, stock up on extra phone chargers, prepare for a diet consisting only of champagne for a week, see great art, buy great art and support wonderful artists, make new friends, and please stop me if you see me to say hi and get some more Art Basel Miami Beach recommendations!
Lots of love,
Whitewaller Miami 2017
—Sarah Arison
President, Arison Arts Foundation
