The Best Events to Go to During Miami Art Basel 2023
Miami Art Basel 2023 kicks off this weekend. Consider checking out these events near the convention center when you're in town.
Miami Art Basel is finally here. Once again, hundreds of galleries, artists, magazines, and more will be presenting the latest and greatest in art at the Miami Beach Convention Center this weekend. The event turns 21 this year, and it continues to be known as North America’s premiere art festival.
Art fanatics will be spending their time reviewing new solo presentations, surveys, large-scale installations, and more at the three-day long event. However, many come to Art Basel to also take in all the events and activities occurring throughout Miami. There are so many parties, exhibitions, drops, and events to consider. Thankfully, we rounded up some of the best ones to go to.
Streetwear enthusiasts can take a break from the convention center by considering fresh releases from Eric Emanuel and Billionaire Boys Club. Fans of street art can certainly rely on the many events being held by the Museum of Graffiti throughout the week. Hip-hop heads can also tap in to concerts featuring Freddie Gibbs or pay a visit to the newly opened The Art of Hip-Hop museum. And of course, many skaters are rolling through the streets of Miami to attend the second annual Virgil Abloh Skating Invitational.
Here’s a guide on the best events to go to during Miami Art Basel 2023.
Frank Gehry x Louis Vuitton Exhibition
When: Dec. 8–10
Where: West Lobby of the Miami Beach Convention Center at 1901 Convention Center Drive
Louis Vuitton will present a selection of the works by the revered Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry at Art Basel Miami. A specially designed booth that boasts his trademark aesthetic will present handbags, trunks, perfume bottles, original artwork, preparatory sketches, and architectural models by the architect. A limited-edition handbag collection with Gehry will also be sold at the booth, which includes the Capucines bag, the Twisted Box trunk, and the Bear With Us clutch.
The Second Annual Virgil Abloh Skate Invitational
When: Dec. 8–10
Where: Lot 11, 301–349 NW 2nd St, Miami.
Virgil Abloh Securities and Architecture will hold its second annual Virgil Abloh Skate Invitational during Art Basel this year. The event will feature a best trick competition, a public free skate session, and a live DJ set to celebrate the skateboarding community that Abloh was passionate about. Various events related to the invitational will occur around Miami. On Friday, there will be an artist talk with Atiba Jefferson at 50 NE 40th St., Miami. On Saturday, the invitational skate day will run from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Lot 11. On Sunday, Lot 11 will host free skateboarding clinics and workshops for local youth. Each event will accommodate attendees on a first come, first served, basis.
Eric Emanuel Artist Capsule Drop
When: Dec. 8
Where: 172 NE 40th St., Miami
Although Eric Emanuel is known for his shorts, he’s also a passionate art collector. So for Art Basel, he’s prepared a special release at his flagship in Miami’s Art District. Emanuel commissioned artists Tyrrell Winston, Aryo Toh Djojo, and Jake Clark to create limited-edition artworks that will also be screen-printed onto the brand’s signature mesh shorts. The artworks will be exhibited at Eric Emanuel’s flagship in Miami before being donated to a local Miami art institution for the public to enjoy. Winston’s piece references the signature of Miami Dolphins icon Dan Marino. Djojo’s painting for EE depicts a Miami Beach alien abduction. And Clark handpainted a quintessential “EE” motif on a ceramic sculpture. For those unable to make it to EE’s store on Friday, the collection will also be available at noon the same day on EricEmanuel.com.
Museum of Graffiti
When: Dec. 6–10
Where: 276 NW 26th Street, Miami
The Museum of Graffiti will celebrate its fourth anniversary during Art Basel this year, and has a plethora of exhibits and events to check out. Up until Friday, Dec. 8, museum guests can visit the Mi Campo Artists Lounge on the museum’s patio for craft cocktails, sneaker customizations courtesy of Modelo, celebrity DJ sets, live art, and more. Exhibits opening this week include a solo exhibition by L.A.’s Mear One, which will feature artwork from a graffiti artist turned master oil painter. On Friday, Martha Cooper will unveil her collaboration with the graffiti crew 1UP and Polaroid—art and prints by 1UP, 2Alas, Boo Johnson, Eneri, Futura, Mark Gonzales, Maya Hayuk, Reds, Revok, and Vhils will also be sold. On Saturday, the museum will sell signed copies of Sex Appeal’s new book, host a breakdancing competition, release a new issue of The Infamous magazine, and hold a book release and panel for the Mana Public Arts book. The museum will close out Art Basel on Sunday with a sticker bombing event. To get tickets and find out what time each event occurs, head over to the Museum of Graffiti’s website.
Vintage Frames Company x Trevor "Trouble" Andrews (a.k.a. Gucci Ghost) Release Party
When: Dec. 7
Where: 601 Washington Avenue, Miami
Corey Shapiro’s eyewear label, Vintage Frames Company, will release a collaboration with Trevor "Trouble" Andrew (a.k.a. Gucci Ghost) at Vintage Frames Company's Miami Beach flagship. The duo spent two years designing a pair of sunglasses based on Andrew’s "Dirty Cigs Series." The collaboration features two sunglasses where cigarettes replace the arms of the frame. The limited-edition sunglasses will be available with the purchase of one of 50 numbered prints from the series for $1,000. Each pair comes encased in a special box that resembles a pack of cigarettes. Complex readers can RSVP by emailing miami@vintageframes.com with the subject line "Complex."
“Let Me Know When You Land” Exhibition by Eri Wakiyama x Samsung
When: Dec. 9
Where: Future of Cities Hub at 224 NE 59th Street, Miami
On Saturday, Eri Wakiyama, an artist known for dreamy cartoons that have attracted collaborations with Heaven by Marc Jacobs and Cactus Plant Flea Market, will unveil an immersive art experience with Samsung. “Let Me Know When You Land” will let viewers interact with Wakiyama's distinctive approach to abstract portraiture. Hand-painted artwork on Samsung devices will be displayed alongside a selection of Wakiyama’s artwork. The exhibition will only be open to the public for one day from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Atiba Jefferson: Skate Photography
When: On view until Dec. 10
Where: 50 NE 40th St.
Virgil Abloh’s Architecture and OTW by Vans will present the first-ever retrospective on the revered skateboard photographer Atiba Jefferson. The exhibit will cover 25 years of Jefferson’s work as one of the culture’s most respected photographers and documentarians. Over 100 images will be exhibited and feature skaters like Tony Hawk, Kareem Campbell, Eric
Koston, Andrew Reynolds, Tyshawn Jones, and more. Rarely exhibited archival
video works and behind-the-scenes ephemera will also be displayed.
Billionaire Boys Club x Daniel Arsham Release
When: Dec. 8
Where: 2545 NW 3rd Ave., Miami
For Art Basel, Billionaire Boys Club invited Daniel Arsham to customize the walls of BBC ICECREAM’s Miami flagship and create a new art installation, which will be unveiled today. Attendees can check out Arsham’s new work anytime this week. But on Friday, the store will release a collectible Astronaut Edition designed by Arsham. It’s a 12-inch tall figure that is meticulously sculpted from resin and crushed crystal. Each one is numbered and authenticated with a holographic seal. The collectible Astronaut Edition will be sold for $1,950 and is only available in store or in limited quantities on ArshamEditions.Shop.
The Art of Hip-Hop
When: Through Dec. 10
Where: 299 NW 25th St., Miami
The Art of Hip-Hop, a new museum launched by the founders of the Museum of Graffiti that spotlights unsung heroes in hip-hop, opened its doors this week. Starting today, attendees can check out the museum and chill on its experiential patio for complimentary beverages, talks, drops, DJ sets, and more. A highly curated showcase of rare sneakers that tell the story of hip-hop will be presented. On Thursday, the revered Bronx graffiti artist CES will sign new copies of his book at 2 p.m. On Friday, the museum will host a discussion with Cey Adams and Lenny S. that’s moderated by Stichiz of 103.5 The Beat. The museum will close out Art Basel on Sunday with the release of a special capsule by Fly Supply. Tickets can be purchased here.
Legends Only Shows Featuring Freddie Gibbs, Stove God Cooks, and DJ Paul
When: Dec. 7–9
Where: Essentials Gallery at 7929 NE 1st Street
Anyone looking to catch some live music during Art Basel can look forward to a three-day run of concerts by Legends Only. Today, DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia will kick off the festivities. That will be followed up by a performance by Freddie Gibbs on Friday and a show by Griselda’s rising signee Stove God Cooks on Saturday. There will be other special guest performances and appearances during the shows as well. Tickets are now available for all the events.