Art Basel Question

[highbrow]

This is my first year home in Miami, what can I except to see there, are works for sale, tc. sorry for the vague question just excited to be going and need to know if i should have funds ready or pull the trigger on a Fizzell piece

thnks all

[lowpro]

I've never been. And while I was considering changing some travel plans I currently have from the end of Nov through first two weeks of Dec to fly out to Colorado and do some riding at Breckenridge, I doubt it's happening. I know there are plenty of other members that could better address this. But because there doesn't seem to be much discussion in general these days and I seem to have a little too much time on my hands, I figured I'd respond.

Yes, there is work for sale at all of the various Basel venues. I'd say the bulk, if not all, of the work is available for sale, usually in a first come first serve nature. I'd imagine some of the galleries won't exclusively sell work to attendees, so collectors from their conventional client lists that might be interested could purchase work just the same as people in Miami. But preference is undoubtedly given to attendees, as these events at their very core are intended to expand client bases.

In terms of galleries that are a part of this scene and beyond that might interest you, the best pairing of artists for me has to be Josh Liner's booth. He'll be showing new work from Ian Francis, Kris Kuksi and Tony Curanaj. Really impressive trio. Can't wait to see what they have in store. Ratio3 will be there with work from Barry McGee, probably some new and some unsold from Bolinas. David B Smith will also be there showing a solo booth from Gregory Euclide. I know Paul Kasmin will be there, perhaps reshowing the giant Ryden debuted at Frieze again and maybe the new David LaChapelle work they had to offer there as well. Not certain. Other larger galleries from the top of the food chain with Gagosian down to Tony Shafrazi and further down the line will obviously be in house as well.

But if there's a Frizzell that speaks to you, I'm sure Beau could work with you enough on a payment plan to enable the chance to pursue something down there as well. I'm also partial to this newest body of work by Nate, so I may be biased

Hope this helps a little.

[highbrow]

Lowpro, thank you very much, I am thinking on moving a work to fund a possible future purchase but thought I may find something alot better at Basel, so before I decide what I am going to do all in all I figured I would check in her with the art experts. I also agree our board seems to be slowly going by the wayside. Hopefully everyone is really busy with Fantasy Football and when that slows down things here will pick back up.

[mancub]

Nov 4, 2010 20:16:45 GMT -8 jB said:

when is basel if you, dont mind me asking?

Art Basel runs from Thursday, December 2 to Sunday, December 5 daily from noon to 8 p.m., Sunday until 6 p.m.

It is also open on the Wednesday the 1st from 6-9 p.m. for invited quests.

[highbrow]

I assume a Gallery could get you passes to the invite time, if so I need to email a few people and see if it is a possibility

[sleepboy]

Nov 4, 2010 15:18:05 GMT -8 highbrow said:

This is my first year home in Miami, what can I except to see there, are works for sale, tc. sorry for the vague question just excited to be going and need to know if i should have funds ready or pull the trigger on a Fizzell piece

thnks all

Don't worry, there will be more than you can buy (it's like an art orgy) at Basel although Frizzell is not a bad choice.

[highbrow]

thank you hung, i think i know what i have to do

[gildoinc]

I'm going November 30th - December 6. Those of us going should definitely try and meet up at one of the fairs.

In general, I like to go to the fairs to discover new galleries and artists. There is so much incredible art at these fairs that I think if you go in with the attitude that you have to buy something it get's very overwhelming. There are a couple of major fairs in Miami - Basel, Pulse, Nada, Scope - that showcase art from all over the world and I guarantee you will find something you want at just about every other booth.

I think a big part of collecting for anyone on a budget is knowing that you can't have everything you want. So I say, if you love the Frizzell go for it and just enjoy the fairs as an opportunity to see some exciting new art.

[highbrow]

I think my attitude is if I jump on the Frizzell and then get to the fair and see something I really want I will kick myself, who knows I am going to think on it for the weekend

[gildoinc]

These are definitely not the worst problems to have

[epicfai]

Nov 4, 2010 22:29:01 GMT -8 highbrow said:

I think my attitude is if I jump on the Frizzell and then get to the fair and see something I really want I will kick myself, who knows I am going to think on it for the weekend

if you have to think this hard on it, i'd say pass on the frizzell. or wait until you find one that you must have.

[highbrow]

I already have one, and have to agree, i figured since I wasnt running for it, i could live with out it.

[svenman]

i think gildo and lowpro are bang on the money here.
EVERYTHING is for sale. galleries don't take up expensive booth space with paintings for your viewing pleasure. you'll find that inventory gets turned over almost daily at a lot of booths. sometimes during the day as it sells.

i went last year with the intent NOT to buy anything, and despite the visual bombardment - and that's all it can be described as, managed to succeed.

i went for the fun, the meeting friends old and new and the street stuff as much as the fairs.
it's a great atmosphere. hope you guys enjoy it!
word of advice - get your passes for the fairs and name on guest lists for parties asap. don't assume you will get it sorted when you are there.... there's a million people there all asking you to get them into parties and openings. if you have passes already, you are set. hope some of you guys manage a meet up.

definitely check out primary flight. was talking to a friend last night who is involved this year. sounds like it could be bigger than last year.

[travislouie]

This will be my second year in a row not going to Miami
I plan on coming back next year though. with a large piece. At this stage of the game I need to be making more epic pieces, . . . and as an artist, why go there unless you can really make a statement?

[gamma888]

So, usually, an artist would make a HUGE statement at this HUGE art fair compared to a solo show? I'm just trying to get an artist's perspective from this. For some reason, I just thought that art fairs are simply to show artists' works and would probably be leftovers from the previous shows. But then, I haven't even gone to Art Basel before, so I hope I'm sorely mistaken about my impression as I've always thought that usually many artists would work tirelessly for a solo show instead of art fairs.

[mancub]

Nov 7, 2010 1:38:41 GMT -8 gamma888 said:

For some reason, I just thought that art fairs are simply to show artists' works and would probably be leftovers from the previous shows.

Only doing a few of these shows myself I can tell you from my experience it really depends on what the artist is doing at the time. I always try my best to get fresh new work out to a show, especially when I know that there is the opportunity to impact a lot of new viewers. This being said I have also found myself strapped for time for upcoming shows and had to use new and older work.

I also think it not only depends on the artist and their schedule but also the gallery....if you have multiple works at a gallery already that haven't sold the gallery tries to get rid of that stock before just picking up more of it (that potentially might not sell). Many people who show up to these huge art fairs are people that couldn't make it to the gallery so for them it is still fresh and still does the job of exposing them to a certain artist. There are definitely artists producing new work for these types of shows.

[travislouie]

So, usually, an artist would make a HUGE statement at this HUGE art fair compared to a solo show? I'm just trying to get an artist's perspective from this.

To answer your question, there are different strategies to showing at an art fair. The gallery representing the artist is trying to get more exposure to their work. Many people not local to the gallery's neighborhood get a chance to see the work in person. It's a great way to advertise an upcoming exhibit of the artist's work to possible new collectors.

As far as making a statement, presumably more people will be able to see the artist's work at a fair than at the gallery, . . . And if it is the first time they are exposed to your work, it doesn't hurt to really give them something grand to look at.

[gildoinc]

personally, I am always disappointed when a gallery brings old work to a fair.

Most galleries end up doing a kind of group show that represents the type of art the gallery shows and represents. Sometimes a gallery might show 3-4 artists, sometimes they may show 10 or more but I always appreciate when the work is fresh. Of course there are always exceptions. For example if an artist had a solo show close to the date of the fair or a particular piece was exceptional and priced higher than normal for the artist the gallery might bring it in hopes of successful sale.

Since one of the big reasons for these international fairs is to get new collectors interested in a gallery's program, one could argue that old work is going to be new to a lot of people.

[gamma888]

Thank you to the artists who have taken their valuable time to respond to my question. I have gone to a few art fairs in the past, but not the Art Basel that everyone's raving about. But, it seems like generally, I would see many older works in the art fairs that I have seen in the galleries' websites or artists' portfolios.

gildonic: I can understand about new collectors to get interested in a gallery's program, but with the new wave of internet exposing many galleries, I think tech-saavy collectors would know much about the gallery programs already through subscriptions, blogs, and of course, discussion forum like here!

But on the bright side, I do know one artist who's actually grinding real hard to prepare for his show in Miami during the art fair week next month. His show will be exhibited at the Nada Art Fair which would be personally his biggest solo show ever as he'll have about 7 to 9 new works specifically for this show! They will probably be rotated daily.

[highbrow]

Gamma who is the artist.

I was really thinking this being my first basel i would move a few works like my Fairey and a couple other things and go there guns blazing for a work. I then thought if I get there and all the works i would have wanted are spoken for then what. So i have decided to enjoy my current small but enjoyable collection and go to the fair as someone who is just window shopping, like my much more seasoned collectors have recomended

[gildoinc]

Nov 7, 2010 14:25:17 GMT -8 gamma888 said:

gildonic: I can understand about new collectors to get interested in a gallery's program, but with the new wave of internet exposing many galleries, I think tech-saavy collectors would know much about the gallery programs already through subscriptions, blogs, and of course, discussion forum like here!

I don't think that applies so much to these mega fairs. I think you are totally right when it comes to collectors who collect from a particular scene or a region but most of these fairs house lots of galleries showing very different types of work.

For example in this years Pulse Art Fair Richard Heller, David B. Smith and Bitforms gallery all have booths at the fair but I think you could argue that the collector who follows Bitforms' program probably doesn't know much about David B Smith. Same at Scope where this year you have Corey Helford, Josh Liner, Carmichael, and Anonymous - galleries that have relatable programs and probably share collectors; but you also have Spinello gallery and Cirrus gallery that have very different programs. I guess all I am trying to say is that while I would know if David B Smith or Liner were bringing older works I wouldn't necessarily know if Spinello was showing new work without doing a little research.

[gamma888]

Nov 7, 2010 15:06:21 GMT -8 highbrow said:

Gamma who is the artist.

Matthew Palladino who's working with Baer Ridgway Gallery for Nada Art Fair. I think that Baer Ridgway Gallery is the only gallery that represents Mr. Palladino so I would assume that BRG is trying to give Palladino a biggest showcase ever after his show sold out instantly last May. Even though, he's far under the radar, I think he's going to be big after the Nada Art Fair.

[|peetov|]

i am considering going to art basel but i literally have no idea about anything going on there. so i'm wondering as a guy who would literally just show up and walk around aimlessly for a few days.....is it worth going? or is this something you should have a planned out system of attack and know like where to go when and try to be on all kinds of lists etc. i get the impression this is something you need to have some laid out plans for which is absolutely the opposite of my situation. any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

[highbrow]

Peetov, I to will be attending for the first time, lucky for me I live in Fort Lauderdale about 20 minutes from Miami so my plan was to roam around, find some galleries I know and email them find out where they will be and meet some of the people I spend my wives hard earned money with

[gamma888]

Lucky! No hotel stay, no car rental, no airfare to deal with!

Wondering if galleries usually give permanent tickets to their patrons or is it just a private opening ticket?

It's going to be my first time attending as well!