Although the permanent galleries and auctions on offer remain fairly limited — Emmanuel Perrotin, in the news at the moment for selling M. Cattelan's wall-taped banana, had shut his gallery in 2008 — the fairs held this year (over 20 of them) bring together 120,000 art lovers in Miami.
Amongst the projects initiated in recent years is that of Jessica Goldman — Wynwood Walls, created in 2009. An industrial area was transformed, its warehouses and walls becoming a temple to street art to which visitors and trendy brands flock. What was intended as a real estate redynamisation project has become and obligatory rite of passage for all those travelling to Miami.
An Assouline-edition book retraces the past ten years of this project, and the pop up events that spring to life in the neighborhood are uncountable. Shepard Fairey is presenting 30 years of artworks at the Goldman Arts gallery, but also with the Levi's brand for four days: concerts, workshops... And also sale points animate the impressive wooden structure built for the occasion.
Whilst massive parties where food trucks and DJs fight for the limelight are being held, Virgil Abloh, star to millennials, has installed a sculpture in the Design District and has begun a partnership with crystal glassworks Baccarat.
A graffiti museum has newly opened, as its founders Alan Ket and Allison Freidin open a permanent space within Wynwood.
Museum of Graffiti
At the Rubell Family Collection, Cindy Sherman, Keith Haring, Yoshitomo Nara and Takashi Murakami feature in the impressive collection exhibited in a building which was opened this week.
