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Every corner I turned was a new surprise. We visited The Margulies Collection and was so impressed with everything. The old worn-out warehouse had been transformed into a fun palace, a wonderfully curated museum of work collected by one man who obviously has quite a soul.
The maze of intrigue created by Song Dong was inspirational.
At every turning there was a sculpture hidden away in a secret room, my favourite being George Segal’s work.
Tiffany, the domestic goddess was inspired by the Kaz Oshiro.
Nina Katchadourian certainly caught my eye with her self-portraits. I was totally in love with these works which were made in airplane toilets in 2011. This is certainly one way to pass your time and definitely beats the Mile High Club I guess.
Leandro Erlich had a full size elevator opening and closing with a projector screen of different characters.
A little down the road we visited the Rubell Family Collection, which gave us a view into Chinese Contemporary Art but left me with a rather uneasy feeling, as though something was amiss…? This is a fun work by He Xiangyu, showing Ai Weiwei in a Peoples Representatives suit lying face down on the ground and inspired by the tax case against the artist. The Miami headliners this year were definitely Tracey Emin and Ai Weiwei.
Then it was a trip to the magnificent Herzog & de Meuron’s 1111 Lincoln Road where Adam Lindemann’s gallery Venus Over Manhattan was presenting PISTON HEAD, where artist and vehicle unite. My favourite was Kenny Scharf, he certainly put a smile on my face.
Also loved this work by Franz West.
I had the most wonderful time with JR, Fru Tholstrup (who now works for Sothebys) and Jonathan Yeo who had treated us to a lovely lunch at the Mandolin.
On the subject of lunch I also had a very special lunch in the design district with the Helsinki sisters, Matt Lipps, Amir Shariat and his artist friend Amir under the Amir awning. Matt was one of the most interesting photographers at NADA.
At NADA I forgot to mention that Cope Cybulski from New York was complaining they had nothing to sell having sold out of the Ben Sansburys in the first two hours, such a shame!
UNTITLED was an interesting fair and plenty to discover with the artists being of a similar calibre to NADA. Managed to spot two Boo Ritson works of Candida and her daughter.
Alan Faena was in town, the Argentinian showman, to visit his brand new art center, how delightful.
Pérez was also a new name in town, where he has built Miami a huge new museum; PAMM and like the garage on Lincoln Road it was designed by Herzog & de Meuron. The building was impressive and quite stunning.
One of the highlights of my trips was a visit to The Still House Group. We bought this little gem from a very young LA artist called Alex Ito. The group describe him as their ‘young generation.’
Meanwhile the older Still House Group generation, averaging 26 years old, were stirring up a storm with this insane work, or should I say ‘very attractive work.’
Roy demonstrated to me this delightful body of work, which really reminded me of when I had gone a bit too crazy in the gym.
Art or Not Art? The missing carpet is an actual art work! I cannot believe it!! How much? How does one take it home? Can I fit it in my suitcase?
Design Miami as usual was magnificent however, I was not so impressed with the strange DIY furniture scattered outside the front entrance. Although these two romantics found them rather useful.
There was a great party atmosphere on the way home from Miami with loads of fun to be had at the airport with Amanda Eliasch, Fru Tholstrup, Anastasia and Max Wigram and co!
As a last hurrah to my Zab Team this year we headed off to the studio of Francis Upritchard and Martino Gamper where they hosted and cooked us the most splendid dinner surrounded by the most amazing design and art works. The dinner was auctioned earlier this year with all proceeds being donated to the ICA. Artists help philanthropy and philanthropists help philanthropy with the result being a great evening!
Talking of romance, from Miami to MI!MS I took my last visit to Zabludowicz Collection before I headed off to New York. MI!MS will next be presented at Spike Island and we are delighted to be showing both Testing Ground and Rachel Maclean through the month of January.
