Aqua Art Fair Acquired by Art Miami LLC

DISPATCH - DEC 4, 2012 (1:56 p.m.)

MIAMI BEACH, FL-

This year's Aqua 12 Art Fair will be the final one under its current management. It was announced today that Art Miami LLC will take over operation of the fair after this year's fair is over. For both sets of organizers, it's smiles all around as a vibrant and expanded future is planned for Aqua.

"We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to take Aqua Art Miami to the next level," stated Nick Korniloff, Art Miami, LLC Fair Director and Partner, in the news announcement. "We look forward to carrying on the great atmosphere and tradition that founders Jaq Chartier and Dirk Park have created for emerging and cutting edge galleries and their artists and collectors over the last eight years."

"In addition, having a location close to the beach during Miami Art Week will help develop a larger scope of services and programming for all of our participating exhibitors and attendees associated with Art Miami, CONTEXT, and now Aqua Art Miami,” said Korniloff.

Aqua Art Fair producers had this to say:

“Dirk and I are thrilled to add our fair to the Art Miami umbrella — it’s great for the future of Aqua,” said Jaq Chartier, Aqua's Co-Director. “Exhibitors and their artists will have much greater exposure, as well as access to a larger art collector base, by being associated with a major international art fair.”

Over the last eight years, Aqua Art Fairs has set itself apart as a Miami Beach art fair to watch. The fair is held in the Aqua Hotel, a classic South Beach establishment. One part the hotel's draw was its spacious exhibition rooms that open onto a breezy, intimate courtyard, according to the art fair. Its proximity to Art Basel Miami Beach was another attraction for the fair producers and fair goers alike.

More than the setting, Aqua was known for the quality of the art exhibited.

"Aqua Art Miami has been recognized for presenting vibrant and noteworthy international art programs with a particular interest in supporting young dealers and galleries with strong emerging and early-mid career artists," according to the Aqua Art Fair's news release.

One advantage of making the merger announcement now is the chance to experience Aqua 12 Art Fair under the helm of its original producers.

Aqua 12 opens tonight with a VIP Preview Opening from 7:30 to 11 p.m. The fair continues from Dec 6 to 9, 2012. The fair opens at noon tomorrow and at 11 a.m. from Friday to Sunday. It remains open until 9 p.m. on all days except Sunday, when it closes at 4 p.m. Aqua 12 is the eighth annual art fair.

Aqua 12 features contemporary art from around 47 galleries from North America, South America and Japan.

Kathryn Markel Fine Arts from Chelsea, NY and Bridgehampton, NY is exhibiting in this year's fair. Other exhibitors include Lyons Wier Gallery (Chelsea, NY), (Whitespace Gallery (Atlanta, GA), Valerie Goodman Gallery (New York, NY), Solange Guez + Arte Contemporaneo (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Eleanor Hardwood Gallery (San Francisco, CA) and AWOL Gallery (Toronto, Canada).

In addition, the fair presents installations and performance projects. Site specific installations are "Babel Shield" by Jen Pack and "Spheres 2 & 3" by Clint Imboden. The performance project "The Free Art Cart" by Dickson Schneider will be presented throughout the fair.

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"Babel Shield" by Jen Pack will be installed in Aqua's Courtyard. Image courtesy Aqua 12.

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"Livers: REMIX" will be presented by Atlanta-based artist Lauri Stallings and her performance art troupe GloATL on Dec 5, 6 and 7. "Livers: REMIX" is a three-hour continuous performance-dance piece that encourages connection between the performers and the City of Miami Beach.

The piece begins at Aqua 12 as a "physical installation of choreographed gestures in a state of being together," according to the art fair. It then migrates to move along the pedestrian arteries of Collins Avenue, transforming the piece into part of the public domain where exchanges become part of the art.

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Images from "Livers: REMIX" by Lauri Stallings during its premiere at FLUX 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by John Ramspott. Courtesy Aqua 12.

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BASIC FACTS: Aqua 12 at the Aqua Hotel is being held from Dec 6 to 9, 2012. The fair is located at the Aqua Hotel, 1530 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL. The VIP Preview opening is Wednesday, Dec 5, from 7:30 – 11 p.m. The fair continues from Dec 6 to 9. Admission is $10. or FREE with Aqua VIP card, Art Basel VIP Card and Art Basel Press Pass. aquaartmiami.com.

Art Miami LLC is presenting two fairs this week.

Art Miami is being held from Dec 4 to 9, 2012. The Art Miami Pavilion is located at 3101 NE 1st Avenue, Miami, FL in the Wynwood Arts District. The Opening Night VIP Preview was Dec 4. The fair continues from Dec 5 to 9. Admission is $20 per day or $50 with catalogue. A Multi-day pass is $40 or $65 with catalogue. Passes for Students (12 to 18 years old) and Seniors are $10. www.art-miami.com.

CONTEXT is being held from Dec 4 to 9, 2012. This is the inaugural year for the contemporary art fair. The CONTEXT Art Miami Pavilion is located at 3201 NE 1st Avenue in Miami, FL in the Wynwood Arts District. The Opening Night VIP Preview was Dec 4. The fair continues from Dec 5 to 9. Admission is $20 per day or $50 with catalogue. A Multi-day pass is $40 or $65 with catalogue. Passes for Students (12 to 18 years old) and Seniors are $10. www.contextartmiami.com.

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