Art Whino
at Art Basel
Miami Beach, FL
December 2, 2011
Review and Photos by Mike Hernandez
Art Basel, known for it’s swanky events, artwalks and venues, features works by artists from around the world. The nucleus of Art Basel takes place in the Miami Beach Convention Center, where one can navigate the maze of white walls adorned with select pieces from said artists. It can become overwhelming at times, and the appreciation of handmade art gets lost in the gallery. You don’t have to go far though to experience something more eclectic than the usual Art Basel spread (though their free cheese spread was delicious). Although the body of Art Basel was in South Beach, the heart extended throughout Downtown Miami, specifically at the Art Whino Exhibit and the Wynwood Art District.
Driving by the Wynwood area is not what one would call a normal outing, but for this select weekend, it was host to Maryland-based art, courtesy of Art Whino. Inside the small building, vinyl sets and a myriad of paintings that depicted raging panda bears to robots that leaped out at you. The display was a nice setting, but the surrounding area was the real attraction, as Wynwood became an empty canvas to some of the best graffiti Art Basel could offer. This wasn’t just simple tagging, as the city was decorated in a multitude of colors, faces and settings. This never-ending open environment was something to really behold, watching each artist at work. From families to couples to bros, everyone felt welcome and were able to take in some amazing pieces along the blocks of Miami.
Miami is always on the cusp of representing what is trending in the world, and Art Basel houses some of the most innovative works of art you’ll ever come across.
What makes something like Art Whino and the surrounding area so significant is its accessibility. Now, there are the more prestigious events across Miami with the “Art Basel” moniker, but Art Whino offers a vast array of art that is so interesting and intricate, you don’t need to have an art degree to appreciate the talents and technique involved. Miami is always on the cusp of representing what is trending in the world, and Art Basel houses some of the most innovative works of art you’ll ever come across. I don’t mean to come off as indignant to the mainstay at the Convention Center, because there are some fine pieces to would set in nicely in someones boudoir, but the fascination and slight discovery of it all gets lost among the inundated collection. I’m sure others would disagree with this sentiment (perhaps the more established and/or Euro crowd) but being able to soak in art like I did at Art Whino had no equal.
Immersion into this world makes more sense to me now, as the polar opposites of the convention center and Art Whino clearly showed what I and others appreciated more: art that had no boundaries or confined corners, but something more organic that bleeds into the other and palpates with vigor.
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