Not-so-Cultured Kid (Part II)

I went to Art Basel in Miami this past Sunday afternoon. I saw so many things, it is hard to remember. Someone said the walls of the exhibit amount to the circumference of the earth in length. I believe it. I felt like an outsider looking in. Not in a bad way. I wanted to know and understand what I was seeing, yet there was little time, and scarce information given. I often found myself more intrigued by the crowd than the art work. There were so many beautiful and interesting-looking people. Where are they from? Are they artists themselves? What’s it like to be part of this subculture? Were they born into it? It all seems rather inaccessible and intimidating.

“It’s an elevator. You start going down and you keep going down and you can’t get off. But you can’t kill energy. It keeps on going.” An older blond woman with thick -rimmed glasses philosophized as we peered down into a piece constructed of mirrors and neon lights that spelled “DEATH”. An optical illusion, it seemed to go miles and miles into the earth.

Favorite Piece: Tree Constructed of Metal, Paper Mache, Feathers, and Thread

Unusual Piece: Moving Heads Constructed of I Really have no Idea

Animated Piece: Dark but Charming film by Brent Green (His display marked the first time a living self-taught artist had been given a solo exhibition at Art Basel Miami Beach.)


For the record, Beethoven lived in Vienna, not Salzburg. Thank you, Stephan.

I don't have the artists' names for the first two pieces. I understand this is lame. I'm sure artists do not like not-so-cultured kids like me.

Not-so-Cultured Kid

Art Basel started today and runs through the 6th of December. I have never been, so I don’t know what it’s like as an experience. I’m going to remedy that this weekend. More and more, I am realizing how out of the loop I am with my Community. This is what the website says:

“Art Basel Miami Beach is the most important art show in the United States, a cultural and social highlight for the Americas. As the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, the most prestigious art show worldwide for the past 40 years, Art Basel Miami Beach combines an international selection of top galleries with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. Exhibition sites are located in the city's beautiful Art Deco District, within walking distance of the beach and many hotels.”

“The most important art show in the United States”?I will have to see for myself.

As I am clearly not an authority on this subject, here is their website for all the necessary details: www.artbaselmiamibeach.com

I’ve climbed out from under my rock. The daylight is blinding and my legs are trembling.