20 Free Things To See And Do During Art Basel Miami This Year
Miami Art Week is filling the city with gorgeous art and there's no reason not to experience any of it!
Bianca Marcof - Staff Writer
It’s officially that time of year! Miami Art Week has arrived and Art Basel celebrates 20 years in the city, promising an affair that’s bigger than ever. Being in the center of the art world, there’s no doubt that the city has plenty of fun, new art to discover, but it can get a little pricey. That’s why we thought we’d gather up some free stunning art installations that you simply can’t miss out on.
That being said, here’s a rundown of public art, exhibitions, and events that are completely free. Happy Baseling!
1. HIVE Wynwood
In its 7th year this Art Week, this imaginative culinary, art and cocktail village pop-up is set inside the iconic Wynwood Marketplace. The festival will highlight “the best of the best” of Miami’s signature food and beverages and will feature daily musical performances lasting into the late hours of the night. Special guests and world-renowned street and graffiti artists will curate the internationally-renowned Basel House, and mural installs and live art activations will begin opening day and evolve throughout the weekend.
When: December 1 – 4
Where: 2250 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33127
2. Drone Performance Over The Convention Center
Studio DRIFT’s award-winning drone sculpture, “Franchise Freedom” will return for a special performance over the roof of the Miami Beach Convention Center during Art Basel. Using the sky as its canvas, the aerial show premiered in Miami Beach during Art Basel in 2017 and consists of drones performing the flight patterns of starlings!
When: November 29, November 30 and December 1 at 7 p.m. (sharp!)
Where: 1901 Convention Ctr Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
3. “Future Transmutation” by Pilar Zeta
After “Hall of Visions” – one of the most talked about works of Art Basel Miami Beach last year – Argentinian-born artist Pilar Zeta returns with a new large-scale sculptural garden and pathway that engages mathematics, astronomy, and occult philosophies as creative devices. Oceanside at the iconic W South Beach, art goers can witness “Future Transmutation,” completely glazed in a violet hue, with tiles in a checkerboard arrangement and several free-standing sculptures encircling the installation.
When: November 30 – December 4, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Where: Lawn, W South Beach, 2201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL, 33139
4. Saint Laurent Rive Droite “SEX by Madonna” Exhibition
To celebrate Rive Droite’s re-edition of Madonna’s 1992 book Sex, Saint Laurent will be hosting an exhibition in a beachfront structure built especially for the occasion. The gallery, curated by Madonna and Anthony Vaccarello, will consist of the once-shocking now timeless photographs from the book to mark its lasting impact and three-decade anniversary. The book’s re-issue, published by Callaway, will also be available in a bespoke run of 800 copies. A limited number of the books will be signed by Madonna herself, with proceeds benefitting her Raising Malawi charity. The exhibition is free to anyone over the age of 18.
When: November 29 – December 4, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Beachfront location on 17th street, Miami Beach
5. Art Plug Powerhouse: Myami Edition at The Wharf
Art Plug Powerhouse is four-day experiential art exhibition that will feature over 25 local and international artists, and celebrates the diversity and unique spirit of Miami with a variety of nostalgic activities, as well as VIP experiences for communities such as Web3 enthusiasts, art collectors and families. Participating talent include award-winning mural artist Jason Naylor and L.A.-based painter Allison Bamcat. The weekend will be full of transformative art, water performances, interactive branded installations, live DJs, a full bar, food collaborations, a jewelry pop-up, and lots more!
When: December 1 – 4
Where: 114 SW North River Drive, Miami, FL 33130
6. FriendsWithYou’s “Starchild”
FriendsWithYou, the artist duo behind the adorable clouds on Española Way last year, are back with a 50-foot figurative sculpture in Miami Beach’s Henry Liebman Square. “Starchild” is actually the main character to Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III’s newest body of work, a longform conceptual project in which the artists are renaming the Earth to “Ocean” as a means to unify the planet by a name.
When: November 28 – onward
Where: 41st Street & Pine Tree Drive
7. “Morning Glory” by Paula De Solminihac
Composed of wooden decks resembling the flowers and leaves of the beach morning glory plant, this large-scale installation will invite interaction and play for everyone on the sands of Faena Beach. Created by Chilean artist Paula de Solminihac, in collaboration with architect Vicente Donoso, the piece takes the form of the traveling evergreen vine that is present throughout the beaches of Florida and in different parts of the world. At night, when the beach is closed, “Morning Glory” will be illuminated for a totally different sensory experience. Once embedded onto a beach, the plant both prevents sand dunes from moving against strong winds and eventually becomes the humus soil that gives rise to other organisms.
When: November 29 – December 4
Where: 3201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140
8. Basel afterparty with The Tracy Piper & Voss Gallery at Moxy South Beach
Dress your artsy best and meet fellow artists and collectors while taking pleasure in this rooftop bar’s epic views of Miami South Beach. The Tracy Piper, a contemporary painter best known for her vibrant portraits, will be painting live on The Upside rooftop at Moxy and will be able to answer any questions about her latest series and creative process in addition to signing her two recently published fine art books. Piper’s illustrative work tackles social constructs in an abstract-realist style and has shown at some of the largest art fairs in the country. There will be an artist discussion with Ashley Voss of Voss Gallery and Piper from 7 – 8 p.m.
When: Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: 915 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
9. HYBYCOZO’s “Point of View” at the Carillon Miami
As seen at this year’s Burning Man, Carillon Miami Wellness Resort will be home to HYBYCOZO’s “Point of View,” a stunning rotating sculpture that celebrates the inherent beauty of geometric form and pattern and compose them in ways that harmonize the experience of sculpture, light and shadow. Guests can come to view the art and if they chose to take advantage of the resort’s amenities, purchase a day pass that grants access to the beach, Atlantic adults-only pool, Thermal Spa Experience and free valet.
When: November 29 – January 2023
Where: 6801 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33141
10. “Patria Y Vida” by duo Wright Millares
This large-scale light sculpture, a cluster of 25 crowd-control barricades with LED lights bound together in a disorderly composition, celebrates people’s right to peacefully protest by using the barricade as a symbol of global resistance. As Cuban-Americans, Antonia Wright and Ruben Millares grew up participating in protests with their parents in the city and believe that public demonstration is one of the most effective means of civic engagement.
When: November 30 – December 4
Where: 3201 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140
11. “Dreamcloud” 24-Hour Art Installation
For one day only, the Cosentino Miami City Center will host “Dreamcloud” — an otherworldly art installation designed by bespoke designer Nina Magon in collaboration with Studio M Lighting that blurs the lines between states of consciousness. The installation captures the designer’s avante garde interpretation of the reflection and clarity found only in dreams and, if only for a day, serves as an escape from daily chaos.
When: December 2, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: 3898 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33137
12. Oolite Arts Open Studios, Brunch & Tour
Who doesn’t love a good weekend brunch? How about a free brunch among artists during Miami Art Week? Join Oolite Arts, a support organization for South Florida-based visual artists, for its signature Open Studios, Brunch & Tour. During the artsy affair, visitors will enjoy brunch, mingle with resident artists in the studio and tour two spectacular exhibits: “Rosie’s Fare” by Germane Barnes and “Miami is Not the Caribbean. Yet It Feels Like It,” a group exhibition with New York and South Florida-based artists curated by Danny Baez. This event is free with RSVP to exhibitions@oolitearts.org.
When: Saturday, December 3 at 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: 924 & 928 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139
13. “Rock | Roll” by Germane Barnes
Named as the winner of the 2022 Miami Design District Annual Neighborhood Commission, Miami-based architect and designer Germane Barnes is bringing a multi-scale installation, “Rock | Roll,” to the district. Pulling influence from Miami’s vibrant history with Carnival and the contributions of BIPOC communities, you can expect a series of whimsical capsules that rock back-and-forth when activated by users and a free-floating dome reminiscent of a giant disco ball. With a nod to steel drums and Soca music, Barnes also designed brightly-hued wind chimes, hundreds of which will be hung in Miami Design District’s trees.
When: Now – 2023
Where: 140 NE 39th St, Miami, FL 33137
14. Mana Common x NFT Now present The Gateway
Over the course of 5 days, The Gateway: A Web3 Metropolis will take over 12 buildings and two city blocks across the Flagler District of Downtown Miami. The festival, featuring leading artists, community partners, speakers and performers, is set to unite the web3 community for a landmark experience unlike any other. Programming is set to include music sets, panels, fireside chats, digital and IRL galleries, announcements, auctions and more. Free with registration.
When: November 29 – December 3
Where: Downtown Miami’s Flagler District between E 2nd and 3rd Avenue
15. Prime Video’s “The Crown We Never Take Off” Exhibit
In the center of Wynwood at Soho Studios, Prime Video will present a larger-than-life immersive art activation centered around its Riches series, called “The Crown We Never Take Off.” The experience will celebrate elements from the show that exhibit the freedom of expression and identity in the Black diasporic experience, through several mediums including photography, sculpture, painting, music, video and performance art. Collaborating with curator Donnamarie Baptiste, guests going through the exhibit will see various art forms from artists like Marryam Noma, Carlos Idun-Tawiah, Tammie Knight, and Morel Doucet that map back to the overlooked efforts of Black entrepreneurs and creatives who, like the Richards family in the show, push boundaries and excel despite the odds.
When: December 2 – December 3, 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: 2136 NW 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33127
16. Miami Creative Movement: Meet-the-Artists Open House
This exciting new exhibition, The Miami Creative Movement, showcases artwork by 15 of Miami’s leading artists: Carlos Betancourt, Edouard Duval-Carrie, Mira Lehr, Robert Thiele, John Bailly, Jacqueline Gopie, Karen Rifas, David Marsh, Paola Gracey, Asser Saint-Val, Robert McKnight, Gustavo Oviedo, Regina Jestrow, Pablo Contriciani, and Kathleen Staples. Curated by Barry Fellman, the show launches alongside Fellman’s new photography book, Miami Creative: A Decade in Transformation. During Art Week, the Wynwood exhibit is hosting exclusive open house events inviting guests for the chance to meet the artists on site.
When: November 30 – December 2, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: 541 NW 27th St, Miami, FL 33127
17. Bleacher Report & NBA Pop-Up Shop & Secret Bar
Bleacher Report is teaming up with the NBA to bring its signature Artist Merch Collection to the city with a pop-up art gallery and sports bar featuring art installations from this collection’s artist, Matt McCormick. With watch parties for the Miami Heat, Dolphins and World Cup, this artist series is a must-see event for sports fans – and in particular Miami sports fans. Through a secret tunnel at The LAB Miami, guests will find the Fadeaway Cocktail Lounge, also designed by McCormick, which will offer cocktails and free beverages throughout the weekend.
When: December 1 – 4
Where: 400 NW 26th St, Miami, FL 33127
18. Typoe Sculpture Garden at The Underline
This new art piece by renowned local artist Typoe and EstudioLAAVA will transform a section of the 10-mile linear park sitting beneath the Metrorail into a vibrant gathering area. Teaming up with Airbnb and Nasdaq, the installation lays out brightly colored shapes to form archways, curved benches and other bigger-than-life sculptures. Designed to serve as a space to spark conversation and community, the installation will offer a forum for connection and belonging for the Miami community.
When: December 1 – onward
Where: SW 1st Ave and SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33130
19. “Trapeze Contortionists” by Edouard Duval-Carrié
As part of Elevate Española, a new City of Miami Beach initiative to enhance the corridor, “Trapeze Contortionists” by Haitian-born local artist Edouard Duval-Carrié features the silhouettes of 15 dancers cut from lightweight aluminum. You can find the art hanging over Española Way on Miami Beach.
When: November 28 – onward
Where: Española Way & Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
20. Gagosian and Jeffery Deitch’s “100 Years”
100 Years, organized by Gagosian in collaboration with Jeffrey Deitch, will be on view at the historic Buick Building. The exhibition explores the interplay of past, present, and future through works by contemporary artists who are in dialogue with the sweeping cultural and environmental changes of the past century—as well as those who anticipate future possibilities. Contributors to 100 Years include Refik Anadol, Theaster Gates, Douglas Gordon, Urs Fischer, Tom Friedman, Austin Lee, Jamian Juliano Villani, Rick Lowe, Keiichi Tanaami, and Taryn Simon, among others.
When: November 28 – December 4
Where: Buick Building NE 2nd Ave
For more Art Basel plans, check out The Secret Miami Guide To Making The Most Of Art Basel 2022