17th Annual Art Miami: Featuring Some of the Most Important Modern and Contemporary Artists from Around the World

MIAMI – Art Miami enters its 17th year with renewed vitality after a rigorous selection process that has refined the overall participation base. Introducing many new galleries from Europe, Asia and the United States, the fair is slated for January 5 – 8, 2007 in Hall A at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Although Art Miami will continue to feature some of the most important modern and contemporary Latin artists, only 14 galleries represent Latin America in 2007, which presents a major shift in the focus of the fair since its inception.

“Many discoveries will be unveiled to Art Miami enthusiasts from a broad spectrum of contemporary painting, sculpture, prints, photography and multi-media works by both well-established and emerging artists,” says Ilana Vardy, Show Director. “We are very excited by the changes in the fair in recent years as we are now better poised to service a growing market in which collectors are interested in a wide variety of genres and nationalities. The expanded programs, including the annual special exhibitions and lecture series that explore international trends, enable Art Miami to compete on a higher level in the increasingly complex art market.”

Approximately half of the 115 participants are joining Art Miami for the first time, including 10 Chancery Lane from Hong Kong, showing photography by Chinese artist Li Wei. Three new Italian participants will be in the fair, including Contini Galleria d’Arte from Venice who is showcasing a top-notch selection of modern and contemporary masters. Of the 7 German participants, 3 newcomers make a strong showing of contemporary painting. There will be four first-time Korean galleries and one from Japan, as well as 2 new galleries from Switzerland. Six of nine participants from Spain are fresh to Art Miami and the United States boasts 18 new galleries. Countries represented for the first time include Turkey and Ireland, rounding out one of the most diverse selection of galleries in the fair’s history. In addition, Art Miami features important projects that bring particular attention to local artists, Caribbean artists and arts specialists tapped to share their knowledge in an exciting series of programs, panel discussions and special events.

DIRECTOR’S CHOICE

The annual Director’s Choice program offers a Miami artist the opportunity to exhibit one piece or installation at the entrance to the Art Miami Fair. The selection is determined solely by Show Director Ilana Vardy and will be announced shortly.

2ND ANNUAL CARIBBEAN PROJECT

Art Miami 2006 explored contemporary art of the Caribbean, devoting exhibition space and inviting experts in the field to speak on a panel about the state of current art practices throughout the region. Based on its success, the fair will continue to endorse this program by featuring new countries each year and offering visibility to artists who typically do not have access to mainstream exhibitions. The 2007 edition titled “Caribbean Crosscurrents,” curated by Tina Spiro of Miami’s Chelsea Galleria, features artists from Curaçao, Haiti, Jamaica and Puerto Rico.

FIU PROJECT

“Inter-Sections, Nature and the City” is a multimedia exhibition showcasing the works of Florida International University’s (“FIU”) emerging and established student and alumni artists. Co-curated by Carol Damian, author and Professor of Art & Art History and Mirta Kozolchyk of the Dean’s Advisory Board at FIU, the show exemplifies the exchange of ideas across cultural and artistic disciplines. This project, which includes photography, sculpture, installation pieces, drawing and mixed media, truly puts to question the medium as the message. The pieces are created from such contrasting standpoints that they inspire a vibrant dialogue of ideas that address identity, gender, age, body and landmarks.

LECTURE SERIES

Art Miami’s educational component is one of the predominant features that have allowed the fair to stay connected to its visitors through an exchange of information in an intimate setting. The lecture series is designed to empower the art amateur or professional with the knowledge to better understand Art Miami’s special showcases, exhibitions and contemporary and modern art. Topics reflect areas of interest inside the fair as well as the contemporary art market in general.

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