ART BASEL MIAMI 2011 – PREVIEW

Absolutely the most hip happening of the year – anywhere – Art Basel Miami is a spectacle that can only be witnessed in person. The City of Miami turns into a living, breathing work of art. There is way more going on than we could possibly mention here, and the truth is no one knows exactly what’s gonna happen, but here’s our modest attempt at sharing some “inside” knowledge…and obviously it’s weighted toward the musical mayhem. Enjoy and hope to see you out!

Words by Matt Beck

Art For a Better World – Establishing itself during its 2010 debut as the first international art show with a unifying message, AFABW will stage its second edition at the historic Surfcomber Hotel on Miami Beach. 20+ galleries will exhibit works in the 20,000-sq-foot tented space, elegantly and innovatively designed around the hotel’s pool and cabanas, and will include special artistic projects such as Van Gogh’s Dream (dedicated to the life of Vincent Van Gogh) and exclusive forums, events and parties. www.ArtsForABetterWorld.com

Moksha Art Fair – The Moksha Family Art Collective will once again play host to the world’s leading visionary artists at 7^th Circuit Studio throughout the week. Festivities culminate on Saturday with musical performances by Steve Kimock & Roosevelt Collier with the Moksha All-Stars, Nag Champayons, Moksha Roots Collective ft. Bagga Traxx, Miami Dub Collective, Gaudi, Sounduo, Telekinetic Walrus & the Pride of Ions and TONS more as well as live painting (BPaul, etc.) and video & performance art. Come by Thursday night to participate in a panel discussion about ethnomedicine and its impact on art and culture. On Friday they host another discussion in the early afternoon and team up with Yelle at the Fillmore with a mobile art exhibit and book signing with Chris Dyer. www.MokshaFamily.org

Ricochet – With a Basel line-up that includes Nas & Thelophilus London, TV on the Radio and Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, this new spot will certainly ricochet off their Basel exposure into Miami’s ever evolving trendy club scene. Good luck getting in! www.RicochetLounge.com

Aleloop Mobile Art Installation – A caravan of 10 MINI Coopers wrapped with Aleloop’s hip, happy and playful art will be traveling through Miami in the heart of the Art Basel action, making stops at the most popular art fairs, parties, galleries and restaurants. At each stop, approximately 40 performers will pop out of the colorful cars creating a multi-sensory flash mob. Aleloop’s official reception will take place at Art Whino on Friday from 4-8pm and will include live tattooing and mural painting on 10 walls around this hot pop-up gallery. Her mobile exhibition culminates at Foodstock from 6pm-12am on Saturday where they have curated 20+ performances on stage among the 35+ Miami Food Trucks including The Resolvers (~9pm), Aquaphonics and Mike Mineo, as well as numerous comedians, jugglers, hoopers and who-knows-what-else. www.AleLoop.com

Electric Pickle – Wynwood hotspot, Electric Pickle, hosts some of the hottest music of the week including Awesome New Republic on Wednesday, YACHT on Thursday, Wolf+Lamb vs Soul Clap w/ Dubtribe Soundsystem on Friday and Miami Horror w/ DJ Harvey on Saturday…all under one of the largest disco balls we’ve ever seen. You KNOW that inspires one helluva dance party! www.ElectricPickleMiami.com

MultiVersal – The best at showcasing up-and-coming local talent alongside artists from around the world, MultiVersal has a new and unique one-of-a-kind arts experience planned. Featured artists include MarcPaperScissor, Kazilla, Dekal, A Squid Called Sebastian (Holland) and Stuntkid. Providing live entertainment from noon to midnight Thursday through Sunday, MultiVersal is more than a gallery! www.MultiVersalMiami.com

Pop-Up Piano – Presented by Steinway Piano Gallery of Miami, Pop-Up Piano is one of the most talked about happenings of this year’s Basel. 10 pianos are being placed around town for anyone who happens by to play. They will be painted by top local artists including Lebo and Ahol Sniffs Glue and will be accompanied by performances with some of SoFlo’s hottest bands including Suenalo, Elastic Bond, Jacob Jeffries, Brenden O’Hara, Juke, Afrobeta, Raffa & Rainer and more. At the end of the exhibition, the pianos will then be donated to local public schools. Check out the map and schedule at: www.PopUpPianoMia.com

The Stage – Check out all the sick events The Stage Miami has planned for Art Basel including Big Sam’s Funky Nation & Spam Allstars on Thursday (throwing down while DJ Le Spam has his VW bus painted in the courtyard), soul-slayer Cody Chestnutt on Friday and the-one-and-only GZA performing all of Liquid Swords on Saturday! www.TheStageMiami.com

Also check out South Florida Music Obsessed’s Art Basel 2011 Music Guide for up-to-the-minute musical happenings and Melodysiac for inspired insight