Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Art Basel Miami Beach 2012

In the first week of December, Miami Beach, Florida hosted the 12th and latest edition of Art Basel, considered among the most important art shows in this part of the world. More than 260 top galleries from across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America took part in it, showcasing artworks by over 2,000 artists of both 20th and 21st centuries.

Launched in the year 2002, Art Basel Miami Beach strives to stick to its original goal: Expanding the reach of North American art market, capitalizing on Miami's position as a perfect gateway to the emerging art market in Latin America. The four-day fair has been credited with allowing to transform the image of Miami to an emerging hub for both the visual and performing arts from just a weekend beach frivolity.  The fair now includes an array of satellite art fairs that spill over into less fashionable locations of greater Miami.

Art Basel Miami Beach has emerged as among the most favorite winter meeting points for the international art world, and the event stayed true to its reputation. Around 50,000 people had visited the fair last year, and even more dropped in this year. The Sotheby's Latin American art dept head, Axel Stein, was quoted as saying: “It has been like a magnet, which put together the art community."  Art Basel has also promoted a series of other fairs that have independently served as ideal meeting points to promote art on their own.

The exhibiting galleries, among the world's most renowned art dealers, offered exceptional pieces by cutting-edge newcomers and established artists. Special exhibition sections featured young galleries, public art projects, video art and performance art. The show as every year served as a perfect source for art lovers to both experience rare museum-caliber works and discover new developments/trends in contemporary art.

Top-quality exhibitions in the South Florida museums and special sessions for collectors/curators helped make the eclectic event special as far as encountering art is concerned. And as it the case every year, a large number of artists, dealers, curators, art enthusiasts and critics from around the world participated in Art Basel.

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