Taking Miami By Storm

Art Basel Miami is back, with its pedal to the metal. The parties are hard to count; even as some have remarked that Basel has calmed down, it feels like the amount of events are as tense as ever.

On Monday evening, the Pérez Art Museum Miami and Vanity Fair, along with the carmaker Genesis, hosted a dinner at the South of Fifth restaurant Forte dei Marmi for the artist Christo. Surprisingly, this is Christo’s first Basel, he and his late partner, Jeanne-Claude, are well known for their massive land installations. PAMM 1980s-era project in which Christo and Jeanne-Claude wrapped 11 islands in Miami’s Biscayne Bay with Pepto-pink woven polypropylene fabric.

Jonathan Anderson was in town to kick off the opening of “Chance Encounters IV,” an exhibition within Loewe (where he is creative director). It’s the fourth edition of what can be described as a gallery show, with Anderson and the Loewe Foundation acting as curators “We do a lot of research in Miami for vintage, actually,” said Anderson while surveying the space. “There’s such a sense of adventure here . . . this city is laid-back, but incredibly full-on at the same time.”

Christian Dior also threw a party for the prelaunch of its third edition of customized “Lady” bags. The brand calls the initiative “Lady Art” 11 different artists were invited to customize the purse. This year, those include Mickalene Thomas, Janaina Tschäpe, and Pae White

Favorites From Art Basel

Sedef Gali’s Istanbul Gazinosu; violence and grime, sex and drugs and thirst. The supreme blend of ghetto and grandeur. From within this maelstrom, a sprinkling of sugar paints the sky, the conflict between the spotless home and the guilt-ridden heart. Think of a city that feeds of it own chaos. Sedef Gali is ready to her own Istanbul to the world.

Zoe Buckman is opening the doors of “He Calls This Talk Banter” at The Standard Spa. The work speaks towards domestic violence inspired by the artist who spoke openly about sexual violence. The series also examines a lack of accountability and apathy around violence toward women. A portion of proceeds from the sale of her neon works in the series will be donated to Miami’s Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center.

A new perspective on Young Thug is there to impress “Young Thug as Paintings.” The musical artist has been reimagined by Netherlands-based visual artist Hajar Benjida in the context of historical works of art.