All about that BASEL, 'bout that Basel...

Dec 13, 2015

3 min read

#Day4 of my #31DaysOfHolidayStylesAndPlaces was all about the art. The nice thing about Art Basel is the plethora of art for all tastes and budgets. Everyone can find at least one exhibit or piece that they enjoy.

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First stop was Design Miami across from the Miami Beach Convention Center (main hub for Art Basel). This tent was full of interesting interior design stuff including furniture, lighting, a super cool gym and even a tub which looked like a canoe.

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Next was the Convention Center, which I hadn't been to in about 10 years. Thankfully, we missed the "stabbing incident" by an hour or so and enjoyed some pieces by Picasso and Banksy. We also had VIP tickets thanks to our friends at Audemars Piguet so we experienced the fabulous Collectors Lounge also sponsored by BMW, among others.

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The night ended with a delicious (as always) casual dinner at Bocce Bar (one of the best Italian restaurants in Miami where the staff is always happy to see you)!

#Day5 began with a proper brunch at Apeiro Kitchen & Bar, a new mediterranean spot in Midtown Miami. Aside from the waiter saying "welcome to red lobster" (no shade, just gave us a laugh), the concensus was quite positive. I did a lot more wine drinking than eating, as we took shelter from the torrential rains, but this place is surely worth a second visit.

On this day, we visited the Context and Art Miami satellite exhibits in Midtown Miami. Most of the art here is a lot more urban and quirky and really appeals to me. This is a more relaxed fun crowd and the VIP lounge is right in the middle of the action so you don't miss a beat.

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And the beat goes on... dinner was at new Brasserie Azur (same owners as Villa Azur in South Beach) where the food was very good (they have everything on the menu from tuna tartare to quinoa to rotisserie chicken and more). The wine list is concise but diverse. And the atmosphere is like I imagine the south of France to be...a super chic but understated soiree!

But wait...the night is still young! We ended up in Wynwood among the artsy hipsters and youngsters but we fit right in and we loved it! Bricks' patio was jamming the best 90's beats...I'm talking K7 and House of Pain y'all! We danced our tushies off...I did however spend most of our time there waiting in line to the one and only ladies room (yes just one for the entire place, which probably had 1000 people that night...just sayin).

There were a few other stops on the way home (not worth mentioning) but by far this was the best night of the week...impromptu and unexpected!

#Day6 was the hardest day...the week of parties and events was weighing heavy on my shoulders. I was so over art basel by this time. But I got up and about and finished the week back at Context picking up a wonderful piece of art my sister purchased the day before. It was a delectable masterpiece, part of several assorted dozen yet totally complete on its own.

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A gorgeous glazed piece by Jae Yong Kim called "Donut Think Too Much Be Happy"... so simple and fun yet so profoundly philosophical... that's art basel... in a (do)nutshell!