THOM 13 | Fall / Winter 2019

The price tag for one of these
pieces ranges from $30,000
to millions.
When I first attended Art Basel,
nearly a decade ago, I was
awed by the works of masters,
such as Pablo Picasso, Henri
Matisse and Andy Warhol,
and admittedly perplexed by
some exhibits, which left me
scratching my head.
I just couldn’t comprehend the
meaning behind a collection
of mostly nude female
mannequins stringing yarn in
a bathroom or an installation
displaying only spray paint,
a plastic bucket and a bag of
cement against a blank wall.
Yet even if I didn’t “get” a piece,
there would be something
amazing on the next aisle. I could
have spent days taking it all in.
This year there’s even more
buzz for the show because Art
Basel is adding a major new
space called Meridians, located
in the massive ballroom on the
convention center’s top floor
and holding about 30 works too
big for traditional show booths.
It’s the biggest update since the
event launched in Miami Beach
in 2002. Art Basel originated in
Switzerland in 1970 and added
Hong Kong in 2013.
Of course, this is Miami—where
extra spice is added to everything.
“We’re a fun, people place,”
Kenny says. “Having come
from the Basel art show in
Switzerland this year, you
don’t see the same kind of city
shutdown. Our city becomes
consumed with art. We are the
loudest and most active.”
Art Basel draws more than
70,000 visitors each year,
generating an “incredible
economic impact,” he says.
The show has spawned more
than 20 satellite fairs (where the
art is more affordable), glittering
parties and special gallery and
museum exhibits during Miami
Art Week, which runs longer
than Art Basel.
“Our city becomes consumed with art.”
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