The Tribes of Art Basel Miami

art basel miami

As the Art World winds down for this year, there is one last week of parties before going into hibernation, Art Basel Miami. We certainly enjoy a party and there is nothing better that observing these various social groups bathing in the hedonistic waters of Miami. Here is our guide to the subcultures of the sixth annual art bacchanal.

TRIBE: THE COLLECTOR

HQ: The Four Seasons Members: Jerry Speyer, Eli Broad, Steve Cohen, Peter Brant, Beth Rudin De Woody, Asher Edelman, Michael Lynne. Party of Choice: After-party for private screening of Berlin, the Lou Reed film directed by Julian Schnabel. Spot Them: Trying to sneak into the NADA fair early to see Daniel Reich’s booth. Most Likely To: Promise never to sell a piece, then sell it.

TRIBE: THE ARTISTS

HQ: The Raleigh Members: Damien Hirst, David LaChapelle, Doug Aitken, Jack Pierson, Aaron Young, Kehinde Wiley, Terence Koh. Party of Choice: Visionaire. It's launching a $250 "sound magazine" (tracks by U2, Courtney Love, Robert Wilson). Spot Them: Doing midnight karaoke at the Shelborne. Most Likely To: Hoard the gift-bag bottles of Imperia vodka.

Dennis hoppper art basel miami

TRIBE: THE CELEBRITIES

HQ: The Setai Members: Dennis Hopper, David Byrne, Steve Martin, Russell Simmons, Lou Reed, and maybe Keanu Reeves. Party of Choice: Sotheby's dinner, by imported French chef Pierre Gagnaire, saluting contemporary Asian art. Spot Them: With an art adviser. Most Likely To: Get comped bottle service at the new Lenny Kravitz speakeasy, the Florida Room. 

CALVIN KLEIN ART BASEL MIAMI


TRIBE: THE FASHION PEOPLE

HQ: The Ritz-Carlton Members: Calvin Klein, Nadia Swarovski, Tamara Mellon, Donna Karan, Laudomia Pucci, Vivienne Tam, Kenzo. Party of Choice: Cartier, which is flying in a crystal party dome to shelter part of the city's botanical garden. Spot Them: Nowhere near the art fair. Most Likely To: Actually get a table at Prime One Twelve, then order chopped salad.

TRIBE: THE SUITS

HQ

: Mandarin Oriental Members: UBS's Karl Schweizer; Citicorp's Mary Hoeveler; execs of Campari, Cartier, BMW. Party of Choice: UBS banquet. Nearly two dozen buffet tables of free food and drink. Spot Them: Fielding requests for access to the lush corporate VIP lounges. Most Likely To: Wonder if they can afford to spend all this money next year if the economy keeps slowing.

TRIBE: THE LOCALS

HQ: Their villas on the Intercoastal Members: Donald and Mira Rubell, Marty Margulies, Craig Robins, Norman Braman, Rosa de la Cruz. Party of Choice: Miami Museum of Contemporary Art's Jorge Pardo opening. Spot Them: In the design district, matching furniture to art. Most Likely To: Trying to start a trend.

ART BASEL MIAMI

TRIBE: THE ART DEALERS AND ADVISERS

HQ: The Delano Members: Larry Gagosian, Mary Boone, Andrea Rosen, Barbara Gladstone, Mark Fletcher, Sandy Heller. Party of Choice: Crazy transgressive Taschen Books party. Spot Them: Offering faux-urgent fifteen-minute "holds" on pieces. Most Likely To: Complain that it was better last year.

Alexander Peers http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/41292/

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Category: Art & Culture

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