By ELIZABETH RAYMOND
This year at Art Basel, Miami offered up yet another reason to abandon the cold and head for the Sunshine State. The 10th edition of the Art Basel beach style exhibits, opened to the public and offered work by more than 2,000 international artists – with more than 260 leading galleries from North American, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa taking part in the extravaganza. Special exhibition sections featured young galleries, performance art, public art projects and video art. Emerging artists are featured right there, along side some of the most well respected names in the art world. Art lovers got the opportunity to learn about and experience some of the more modern and contemporary art developments; getting to see the works of up and coming artists before most of the general public becomes aware of their significance. Art history buffs will be equally satisfied with the genuine museum quality galleries and classic works. Art Basel Miami also provides day care options for parents and is wheelchair and scooter accessible.
Additionally, Art Basel Miami really helped revolutionize the way the world sees the city of Miami by proving the city is so much more than a party town for a spring break oasis. Thom Collins, the Director of the Miami Art Museum explains, “The cultural institutions in town—the collectors, the artists—really learned how to use Art Basel as a platform to advance their own interests. In doing so, they have collectively been able to paint a more detailed picture of Miami as a cultural Center.” (See footage of Art Basel Miami's opening day via VernissageTV featured above.)
One of the most unsuspected treats at the Art Basel Festival was the Architecting the Future: Buckminster Fuller and Lord Norman Foster, in the heart of Miami’s design district. This exhibition is dedicated to two of the most iconic inventions created by the renowned architect, designer and inventor Buckminster (Bucky, to his close friends) Fuller (July 12, 1895 – July 1, 1983): The Fly’s Eye Dome and The Dymaxion 4 Car. Both are out of this world and like nothing else out there.
The Fly’s Eye Dome was envisioned by Fuller as a fully functional, low cost, off the grid shelter and was created in 1961. Fuller created three equally amazing prototypes: a 12, 24 and 50 foot dome. A historic restoration of the 24 foot dome was recently completed in Bristol, RI and the 24 foot dome is part of the Craig Robinson Collection and will be installed in a pedestrian plaza currently being built in the heart of Miami’s design district.
The Dymaxion Car was created in 1937 as an “omni-directional transport system,” and was intended to fly (jump-jet style) when suitable alloys and engines became available. Three of these cars were produced in Fuller’s lifetime. Today, the contemporary architect Lord Norman Foster recently reconstructed Fuller’s Dymaxion Car called the Dymaxion 4. This too, will be on display alongside the Dome.
Have a watch at some footage of the large installations to get a sense of Architecting the Future: Buckminster Fuller and Lord Norman Fostor, (featured top right via VernissageTV, as well as some images below).
