Last Thursday The Studios Key West transported an excited busload of art lovers, painters, writers and artists of all description to Art Basel – the worlds biggest contemporary art collection.
More than 260 leading galleries from North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa took part, showcasing works by more than 2,000 artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
If anyone is thinking of taking this trip next year, don’t hesitate. The Studios welcomed us with coffee, fruit and sweet breads, a bag with maps and a drink. (Bonus beer & wine on the bus and the less robust amongst us chose to have it only on the return voyage) The bus was large and comfortable and, yes, it did have a toilet.
Info about Art Basel – including website suggestions, maps, venues, even dinner possibilities were emailed to us well in advance of the trip. Here are my well used specimens.
This was my first trip and I couldn’t sleep the night before. I decided not to have an agenda, that I would take everything in in a random fashion, emptying my troublesome mind from grids, pathways, logical trails.
This guy greeted us.
I was so successful that I got happily lost many time throughout the day.
If I had known where I was headed I would never have run into this oddly sensitive & delicate rendering.
Some may be surprised at the image almost hidden in plain sight.
Others are more circumspect about the whole business
And take a ‘live & let live’ attitude.
Some images made me feel protective.
Some felt like a violation.
Fantastic scenes. This one is for Sean who partied at this bar 80’s and remembers (falling off) the barstool. I was thrilled when I saw it.
It is, of course, Max’s Kansas City – thus – my chances for tossing out Sean’s prize ratty “Max’s” t-shirt have disappeared now that this display made it to Art Basel.
Cultural messages.
Current mood.
Come on from a clown.
Oops – I got carried away! Everything looks like art – every object celebrated!
Recognizable artists
Happy patrons who dressed for the occasion. This guy was pure 70’s – immaculate detail.
This gorgeous couple captured my attention.
Fiber art – I had to look twice before I realized that the smoke image was actually a tapestry – I have never seen this technique before.
Another Tapestry
Lots of wheeling & dealing.
In booths that were, themselves, masterpieces of composition.
Fun stuff in a serious display.
This got a lot of attention.
The surface of the suits are made up of buttons.
I am always drawn to close up of faces.
One of the few classic portraits in oil done in 2011.
Detail . . .
More . . .
More babies – this from China.
Really interesting young artist Anthony Vega.
Wall of children’s portraits.
I am a . . .
This was tiny . . .
These were huge
Detail
A favorite piece
Another piece I am in love with – already sold
detail
O to look at this every day . .
Or this . . .
Or this
Made it to the wall.
Happily exhausted we made it to a restaurant after dark.
Then we ran into her vivacious self, Martha eating pastries
We really enjoyed the cheese plates, the cookies, drinks and all the suggestions from TSKW. Thanks to perfect hosts Martha, Jane Grannis and for all the work behind the scenes from Tyler and the girls.
I leave the final word to Mr Borofsky.
Your wit is only exceeding by your brilliance!
Kudos
Jessica- It was great to meet you. Enjoyed your post. I had such a good time Thursday but I am still trying to process it all! Hope to see you soon. Pam
luscious trip . . . thx!