Your Guide to Art Basel Miami Beach 2012: Part VI

Fab South Beach boutique The Webster (1220 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach) is hosting several  events this year including: a "Tea Party" with Stella McCartney, a breakfast for Stefanie LaCava to celebrate her new book An Extraordinary Theory of Objects, a sunset cocktail party in honor of Webster co-founder Laure Heriard Dubreuil and a launch for Pools Reflections -- the latest photography book by Kelly Klein. If you didn't make the invite list for those events, stop by the The Webster for a little shopping during the week and be sure to check out the hotel's new cafe and bakery, Crumb on Parchment.  It's a spin-off of acclaimed Miami chef Michelle Bernstein's Miami Design District spot.

The Standard Hotel Miami (40 Island Avenue, Miami Beach) is jam-packed with cool soirees during AB/MB. The hotel is hosting the annual SPiN Galactic Ping Pong Tournament on Saturday, December 8, from 3 to 6 p.m. and the Lazy Sunday BBQ during the afternoon of the 9th with The Hole Gallery and Andre Saraiva -- who'll sign copies of a book created for his "Andrepolis" art exhibition. Terry Richardson celebrates his latest, Terrywood, with a book signing and afterparty on December 7th and Bruce Weber will by signing copies of his new book on December 6.  New York-based artist Jose Parla is opening a pop-up Cuban cafe called Cafecito Neptuno next to the Standard's gift shop from November 26 through January 3.

Nirvana fans can look forward to a unique, three-part performance and exhibit called "KURT" at Miami's Gusman Center for the Performing Arts (174 E Flagler Street, Miami) on December 6. The tribute to the late Kurt Cobain includes an appearance by Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, a short film by Adarsha Benjamin and a 15-minute live version of the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" music video directed by Los Angeles choreographer Ryan Heffington. Tickets are HERE.

One of the week's biggest and best parties, Basel Castle (41 NW 20th Street, Wynwood, Miami), returns on Saturday night, December 8. This year's combo of art + music includes performances by Purity Ring, Twin Shadow, Brenmar, a Dave 1 (Chromeo) DJ set, Jacuzzi Boys, Nick Catchdubs and tons more. On the visual-arts side, look for works by Anthony Lister,Buff Monster, Ron English, Anthony Ausgang, Mike Bode and more. A $25 ticket gets you guaranteed admission all night, but there are also a limited number of FREE and "early bird" tickets available. Go HERE for more info and tickets.

Works by 22 artists have been selected to be part of Art Public -- an outdoor exhibit in Collins Park (Collins Avenue between 21st and 22nd Streets, Miami Beach). Produced as a collab with the Bass Museum, the works include large-scale sculpture, video, installations and live performances.  It all starts with a big opening night party on December 5, open to the public from 8 to 10 p.m. with performances by Jason & Alicia Hall Moran, the Broke People's Baroque Theater and Alex Israel. Also look for an "art-bar" installation called "Guiro" that's open daily from 5 to midnight and is sponsored by Absolut. The oval-shaped bar was created by the artist collective Los Carpinteros.


Donna Karan hosts a book signing for Stephan Weiss: Connecting the Dots on Friday, December 7, in the beach club at the Delano Hotel (1685 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach).  The book is a tribute to Karan's late husband and proceeds from the book benefit the Urban Zen Foundation.


Steinway & Sons' "Pop-Up Piano" is back this year with a big fundraiser at the Perry Hotel (2377 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach) on Wednesday, December 5, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.  The party benefits Miami's New World Symphony and includes performances by Elew, Yuna and DJ YSL and there's also a silent auction. Tickets are available HERE.

Swarovski collab'd with UK-based architect Asif Khan to create "Parhelia" -- that's Greek for "beside the sun."  The immersive installation incorporates over one million crystals in a structure that's almost 20 feet tall and "explores the relationship between crystal, light, architecture and nature."  Check it out at Design/Miami from December 4 to 9 inside the Swarovski Crystal Palace.

Odds & Ends:


Nicolas Jaar is at Bardot (3456 North Miami Avenue, Miami) on December 6.
The University of Miami hosts their fifth annual exhibit of works by their Masters in Fine Arts students with an opening reception on December 8, from 2 to 10 p.m. in the Wynwood Building (2750 NW 3rd Avenue. Suite 4).

Ruinart Champagne will unveil their "Miroir" ice bucket, a new work by French designer Herve Van der Straeten in a limited edition of 50.

Paradox Designs hosts a Wearable Art Gallery on December 6 and 7, 6 to midnight, at Zen Loft (1233 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach)