Hitting its 18th year, prominent art aficionados, culture vultures, and party-goers will go to Miami Beach for the biggest annual art fair in the world. Held on December 5 through 8, Art Basel Miami Beach 2019 will host more than 4,000 artists and 269 leading international galleries at Miami Beach Convention Center–showcasing some of the greatest new works the contemporary art scene has to offer.
In addition to all the many things going on, Miami are also hosting a number of satellite exhibitions, celebrity performances, outdoor installations, experiential retail concepts and more in order to one up last year’s event.
If you have plans to go there, here’s DA MAN guide to things that you can’t miss from Art Basel Miami Beach 2019:
Virgil Abloh to Unveil a Never Before Seen Sculpture
Marking his return to the Miami Design District, Virgil Abloh is scheduled to unveil the “Dollar a Gallon III,” a never-before-seen sculpture of a sinking Sunoco beacon by the Louis Vuitton menswear creative director. The large-scale outdoor work is inspired by a previous piece that was on display at Abloh’s “PAY PER VIEW” solo exhibition at Kaikai Kiki Gallery in Tokyo. On display throughout December 2019-2020, the sculpture aims to shed light on the influence of advertising and mass communication in our culture.
Yayoi Kusama’s “All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins” Makes Its Miami Debut
For the first time in Miami, the legendary Japanese artist presents one of her signature Infinity Mirror Room installations—hosted by The Institute of Contemporary Art. The momentous exhibition by Yayoi Kusama is titled “All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins,” where inside the immersive installation Kusama’s signature spotted pumpkins are observed inside a mirror-lined room that’s illuminated with color-changing LED lights. The installation has been available since October 12 and will end on January 31 2020.
Thom Browne “Palm Tree I” Installation
Another acclaimed menswear designer set to display his public artwork is Thom Browne, who will unveil his first large-scale display entitled “Palm Tree I” (2019) on December 5. The intricate piece is a 21-foot-tall palm tree is made from yellow, green, and pink seersucker alongside pin cord and gingham oxford materials will see Browne’s exploration of “Americans on holiday” and investigating its “disturbing similarities between the workplace and vacation”.
Versace’s Long Time Interior Designer to Bring a Versace Room Exhibition
The ever glamorous Italian fashion house Versace has enlisted a friend of the house slash longtime interior designer Sasha Bikoff to transform a series of rooms into an exhibition—packed with unique furniture pieces and art that draws inspiration from the brand’s rich heritage. One-of-a-kind furniture pieces designed by Bikoff will be displayed together with the archive looks they drew inspiration from, to provide a unique and vivid physical experience from December 6 to 8.
Expect Dior Men’s Pre-Fall 2020 Runway Show
Going to Miami would not only become Jones’ continued attempt of tying and deepening the French luxury house—as well as his own—connection to the global art community but also paying their tribute to Christian Dior’s tour of the U.S—a trip he went on in 1947 to promote his ‘New Look’ debut collection.
Lebron James’ UNKNWN to Open A New Miami Store With A Basketball Court
Founded by LeBron James with two of his partners in 2011, UNKNWN is set to open a new store in Miami on December 5 to coincide with the Art Basel 2019 Miami Beach festivities. The retail destination is reported to be a 10,000-square-foot establishment designed by John Margaritis of New York Sunshine, and will display a dynamic curation of artworks, multi-brand apparel, footwear, and accessories alongside the brand’s in-house label. The store will also have a multi-functional courtyard that’s not only for hoops, but will play host to mural installations by acclaimed artists.
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