After strolling Art Miami, an intuitive path led us out the side door and through another to enter Context, a sister fair to Art Miami. Context was a big hit last year and I was looking forward to seeing if a repeat performance was in store. Context was already generating a buzz for another reason--it was recently announced that a New York edition will have its first run during Armory Week. New Yorkers were already talking about at Art Miami.
Context is designed to have a slightly different vibe than Art Miami with established artists presented at Art Miami and those coming up the ranks at Context. The art fair has a less serious feel with an emphasis on discovery and variation. This year, the divide between the two fairs was slight and Context had the feel of an extended version of Art Miami. It worked well and the smaller number of exhibitors made it a friendly experience.
We didn't realize a party was going on at the opposite side of the tent and missed the festivities and listening booths. It was already 9:30 p.m. and celebrating wasn't on my mind and the art was. Highlights for me was discovering Paris contemporary action painter JONONE at Fabien Castanier Gallery (Culver City, CA) and figurative painter Markus Frager of Cologne exhibited by Galerie Robert Drees (Hanover, Germany).
To see images from Context, view our slideshow:
View Slideshow.
“Hand Clappers” by Janone, 2014. Ink and acrylic on canvas, 78 x 118 inches. Fabien Castanier Gallery, Los Angeles. Photo by Kathy Zeiger.
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“Anxious Sisters” by Markus Fräger, 2014. Oil On Canvas, 51 x 24 inches. Galerie Robert Drees, Hannover. Photo by Kathy Zeiger.
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A bit of performance art appeared with AYAKAMAY. Spotted standing near color-coordinated art, she looked like a cross between a Gesisha girl and Japanese anime and was mobbed by requests for photos.
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Performance Artist AYAKAMAY performs Mimikaki. Licht Feld Gallery. Art Basel, Wed.Dec. 3 until Sat. Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. Photo by Kathy Zeiger.
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Sage Cotignola, photographer Kathy Zeiger and I explored the art until the closing bell at 10 p.m. Afterwards, we headed to a pop up restaurant held beneath a white tent a 1/2 block away. Like last year, the food was good and the living room atmosphere charming...down to the mismatched plates that gave it a cozy and comforting feeling.
To see more images of Context, view our slideshow:
View Slideshow.
NEXT UP: Miami Day 2: Aqua and a foiled attempt at the Bass
BASIC FACTS: Context Art Miami 2014 takes place from December 2 to 7, 2014. Context is located at 2901 NE 1st Avenue Miami, FL 33137. www.contextartmiami.com.
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