Art Basel: the world's largest contemporary art fair returns to Miami Beach
The Miami region is getting ready to breathe art. The city of Miami Beach will host Art Basel, the world's largest contemporary art fair. The event, held from December 2 to 4 at the city's Convention Center, will bring together more than 250 galleries from 36 countries, showing everything from paintings, sculptures and photography to art installations and digital works.
Art Basel: a pioneer without borders
Created in 1970 in the city of Basel, Switzerland, the fair has been a pioneer from its first edition to the present day. Fifty-one years ago it was ahead of its time in promoting art without borders, embracing a diversity of works, artists and audiences, since it was not aimed at the narrow circle of European art collectors but at the many admirers of modern art.
Art Basel's innovative formula worked so well that the fair expanded to other continents: in 2002 it debuted in Miami Beach, with the aim of promoting Latin American art and winning new audiences, continuing its inclusive strategy. In 2013 it was Asia's turn to host the world's largest contemporary art fair: the Hong Kong edition confirmed the event's commitment to promoting art globally.
With more than five decades of history, the show remains disruptive, dedicating space to first-time galleries and artists. At the 2021 Miami Beach edition, for example, more than 40 galleries will take part in Art Basel for the first time. Beyond exhibitions, the fair also promotes discussions about art among the sector's main players, including artists, collectors, museum directors, architects, curators and art critics.
Numbers
Going beyond the artistic field, Art Basel publishes an annual report on the art market with the sector's figures and trends. According to the latest edition of the The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report, published in March 2021, global sales in 2020 reached 50.1 billion dollars, a 22% drop from the previous year, driven mainly by the pandemic and the cancellation of in-person events.
On the other hand, online sales hit 12.4 billion dollars, double the amount recorded in 2019, representing 25% of all transactions during 2020. Is a new trend on the way?
To find out, don't miss Art Basel Miami Beach. A hit with the public, the 2019 edition drew more than 80,000 visitors. In 2020 the in-person event was cancelled, which makes the 2021 edition even more anticipated.
Preparations are in full swing. IMT Logistics, a company specializing in global mobility and multimodal transport, is already serving several galleries and artists who will be present at Art Basel Miami Beach and the other Miami Art Week events. The company handles temporary-admission imports, handling and transport of works of art.
Check out the Art Basel Miami Beach 2021 schedule
Venue: Miami Beach Convention Center – 1901 Convention Center Dr, Miami Beach, Florida.
Hours: December 2 and 3, 11 am to 7 pm, and Saturday, December 4, 11 am to 6 pm
Tiago Moreira
CEO | IMT LOGISTICS
