For any readers out there who have not heard of Art Basel, this primer is for you:
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Art Basel, (pronounced bä’zəl) is an international contemporary art exhibition held each year in Basel, Switzerland, and in Miami, Florida, as Art Basel Miami Beach.
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Each December, Miami becomes the epicenter of the art world when the most important art show in America, Art Basel Miami Beach, and its nearly two dozen satellite fairs, welcome the annual pilgrimage of art world players from the mega-wealthy, to normal people, to looky-loos. The event also takes the temperature of the annual art market – keep your ears open for what the diagnosis is this year.
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People look a painting by Chuck Close at Art Basel Miami Beach December, 2008 Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images North America
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Now in its 8th season, Art Basel is held throughout the city of Miami and will be held December 2-5, 2010. Due to the explosion of satellite fairs and associated events, Art Basel Miami Beach has eclipsed the original Art Basel in size and popularity, if not importance.
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Scope Solar Pavillion 2 Miami, 2007 Photo: James Belvin
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Art Basel is so popular there’s even an app for iPhone users, so you know it’s got to be good! The app offers an interactive 3D map of the Miami Beach Convention Center show floor that keys into GPS coordinates. Names of the exhibitors pop up on the map as the user glides his finger through the map’s aisles. They can then click on a gallery name to mark it as a favorite or get contact information – even add it to the phone’s address book with one touch. The app also pulls in the official Art Basel Twitter messages of latest news and lists events throughout the week.
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Friends With You Parade, Art Basel 2006 Photo: Joel Mangrum flickr.com
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And art is not the only thing going on; according to the New York Times’ Linda Yablonsky, “There is never any shortage of social opportunities during the five days of the fair; loneliness and alienation, subjects so dear to artists, haven’t got a chance here.”
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Synchronized swimmers at the Raleigh for David LaChapelle’s blowout party, Miami 2009 Photo: Flavorpill.com
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I don’t think it’s humanly possible to actually see ALL of the art that’s on exhibit in Miami this December. But if you want to try to set a record, here is a map to the major fairs:
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Check back with us over the weekend while our contributing writer Peter Dobey posts live on WallSpin from the Art Basel fairs.
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