MIAMI BEACH — Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB) opened its doors to the public on Thursday for its 13th edition. While many of the works on view deal with political themes, the overall aesthetic of the show is decidedly restrained compared to years past.
Tracey Rose, “Art thou not fair KniggerKhaffirKhoon” (2014), in the Dan Gunn booth (all photos by the author for Hyperallergic)
MIAMI BEACH — Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB) opened its doors to the public on Thursday for its 13th edition. While many of the works on view deal with political themes, the overall aesthetic of the show is decidedly restrained compared to years past. Primary colors hewing toward neutral and rich earth tones seem to be the palette de rigueur. Simple and tactile materials feature prominently, including earth, wood, plaster, and natural papers. Even the inevitable works made of colored mirrors or lighting seem to avoid ostentation.
The muted tone of this year’s ABMB might be a sign of an art fair finding maturity in its second decade. There are plenty of enticing works to discover amid all the usual suspects, particularly in the Nova sector, which features young galleries and works made within the last 3 years, and the Positions sector, where each gallery booth focuses on a single artist’s project.
Tania Candiani, “Telar” (2011–14), in the Instituto de Visión boothA gallerist operates Tania Candiani’s “Telar” machineAntoni Tàpies, “Cadira trencada” (1993), in the Timothy Taylor Gallery boothRachel Whiteread, “Untitled (Stories)” (1998), in the Luhring AugustineRoni Horn, “Untitled (‘It is curious to think of all the social, economic, psychological preconditions that are necessary in order for a Jewish actress to win a horse race.’)” (2014), in the Hauser & Wirth boothInstallation view of a recreation of Tetsuya Ishida’s studio in the Y++ Wada Fine ArtsSherrie Levine, “Red, Yellow, Blue Mirrors: 1-3, Suite VIII” (2014), in the Paula Cooper Gallery boothMichelle Stuart, “Galesteo” (circa1977), in the Leslie Tonkonow Artworks + Projects boothPae White, “Noisy Neighborhood” (2014), in the Kauffman Repetto boothDetail view, Ishmael Randall-Weeks, “Pilares” (2014), in the Revolver Galeria boothGilbert & George, “Bad Thoughts No. 2” (1975), in the White Cube boothHrair Sarkissian, “Homesick” (2014), in the Kalfayan Galleries boothMeleko Mokgosi, “In essence, you can only describe the democratic intuition as other people’s children, not just yours., Exordium” (2013–14), in the Honor Fraser boothPhilippe Parreno, “Marquee (guirlande)” (2014), in the Gladstone Gallery boothWang Jianwei, “‘…the event matured, accomplished in sight of all non-existant human outcomes.’ No. 27” (2013), in the Long March Space boothUlla Von Brandenburg, “Kostüm, Tier (Costume, Animal)” 2014, in the Art: Concept boothGigi Scaria, “Persona” (2013), in the Chemould Prescott Road boothMatt Mullican, “Untitled (Two People in the Subject)” (2014), in the Peter Freeman, Inc. booth
Art Basel Miami Beach continues at the Miami Beach Convention Center (1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida) until Sunday, November 7.
