Art Basel returns and introduces a new flair of art

As the world is trying to go back to some sense of normalcy, the most anticipated art show of the year returns to Miami. Art Basel was certainly in full effect from November 30^th to December 5^th in Miami Beach. This year 253 galleries from 36 countries and territories presented beautiful, intriguing and interesting art. from paintings and sculptures to photography and digital works.

44 galleries joined the fair for the first time this year, including: Central Galeria and Galeria Estação from São Paulo, Curro from Guadalajara, Galeria Patricia Ready from Vitacura, Proyectos Ultravioleta from Guatemala City, Wilding Cran Gallery from Los Angeles, Reyes Finn from Detroit, Daniel Faria Gallery from Toronto, and Gallery Hyundai from Seoul.

We ran across the most interesting piece of art, so simple yet so informative. Maya Stovall from the Reyes | Finn Gallery making An Art Basel debut for both the gallery and the artist, the presentation showcased two distinct series within Stovall’s ongoing neon sculpture and research project, Neon Theatre (2019-present).

In brief each year represents a remarkable event in African American History. Beginning with 1526 South Carolina, where ancestors of my maternal great-grandmother lived before coming to Detroit, the body of work highlights a number of significant moments from that year to the present day. The moments are significant for a variety of reasons, including cultural, political, economic, and aesthetic themes. Drawing from tens of thousands of pages of archives, an obsession with data—stories and numbers; numbers and stories—is machined into a series of dates and cards. Drawing from NASDAQ: FAANG aesthetics, links between information, knowledge, power, and the notion of truth, are contemplated, meditated, and brought into a clear and present focus. As I researched the archive and compiled the dates, I’d often cry. The tears were/are absolutely not tears of sadness nor of euphoria. They were/are tears of clarity—tears of legibility—tears of information. Tears of naming, perhaps. But the viewer is able to decide that which is named.” – States Maya

In other marvelous news. At ART WEEK Miami, another memorable moment was the first NFT being showcased at ART BASEL , imagine the digital world crossing over to the physical world. The artist behind Bored Ape Yacht Club unveiled new NFTs and the crypto world went wild!  NFTs are minted on Ethereum but hosted in the blockchain developed by the DFINITY Foundation.

Moreover,  after a long hiatus it is certainly refreshing to see ART BASEL back in full effect. Here are some honorable mentions.

Jordan Casteel

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