Art Basel Miami Beach – Day 3

By Abigail Goodman

For my third day in Miami, I started off at the De La Cruz Collection, the personal museum of Miami collectors Carlos and Rosa De La Cruz. The 30,000 square foot building is impressive itself, and walking through the doors I was immediately in the midst of some stellar work. For instance, just the entrance had a salon hang of paintings by Glenn Ligon, Christopher Wool, Jacob Kassay, Nate Lowman, Wade Guyton, Mark Grotjhan and Seth Price, a giant by David Altmejd and a view to the Ugo Rondinone that had been at the ICA Boston on the Sandra and Gerald Fineberg Art Wall as well as several Thomas Houseagos. Again, I was in the entrance. The commitment of their collecting was evident all around. I was excited to find an installation by Aaron Curry on the 2 floor and was particularly moved by the 3rd floor installation of works by Felix Gonzàlez-Torres, Gabriel Orozco, Jim Hodges, Ana Mendieta and Cesar Trasobares.

Despite the grandeur of the space, the experience on this floor was one of intimacy. It was clear by the depth and sensitivity of the work represented that these artists hold a special place in the collection. The Orozco photographs the Jim Hodges drawing on napkins, and the Mendieta gallery of videos, photographs and objects were some stand-outs for me.

I spent the better part of the day in the Wynwood Design District. Ohwow! had created a temporary space for an exhibition called It’s not fair! The 25 or so works that make up the presentation explore the essence of materiality in contemporary practice. It was a thoughtful, timely show.

From there I saw the new works by Peter Sarkisian as well as favorite series of photographs by Holly Lynton at Bernice Steinbaum, a group show of Dan Colen, Dash Snow and Ryan McGinley at the RiNG Miami, SEVEN, Art Miami and Pulse Art Fair. At Pulse it was great to see Geoff Hargodon’s Cash for your Warhol, Arroniz’s presentation of Daniel Alcala and Gallery Joe from Philadelphia. A piece by Penelope Umbrico has held space in my cluttered brain as has Allyson Strafaella’s very delicate drawings. At Art Miami, my friend James Barron presented an homage to our late professor Kermit Champa through an exhibition of Jules Olitiski and Larry Poons works from Champa’s own collection. It was a touching memorial to one of the most foundational people (next to my mother) in my pursuit of life in the arts.

In the afternoon it was back to the main fair for my 12th to 15th hours – no joke. I popped into a conversation about biennials at the Art Salon, but did not get to stay long.

I tried methodically to see the rest of what I had missed on earlier visits and had great conversations about the work of Analia Saban, Emily Sunblad, Spencer Finch and Ceal Foyer. Despite the fatigue that sets in about now, it was a satisfying visit.

– Abi