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Art Basel Miami Beach was an exhibit of creative consumerism.
DAY 1
It was only Tuesday day and many Art Basel Miami 1 Beach attendees were - already late to the game.
"All the most important things that show are bought and sold before the thing opens so the best stuff is already gone before anybody gets in to see it," said John Loring, design director emeritus of Tiffany & Co., perched poolside at One Hotel. He was there celebrating Paloma Picasso, and across the Biscayne Bay, another Picasso was being honored as well.
Diane Widmaier Picasso had curated "Desire" in collaboration with Larry Gagosian and Jeffrey Deitch and the trio were toasting the exhibit in the Design District. Nearby, a directory of boutiques - Loewe, Dior, MM6 Maison Margiela, Panerai - were hosting cocktails to celebrate their respective artist alliances.
"I showed on this block about four years ago, when the buildings were not even occupied yet," said Aaron De La Cruz, who had collaborated with MM6. "So to see it go from empty street to this has been a crazy change, you know?"
Indeed. The man responsible for aforementioned development - Craig Robins - was making his way from the "Desire" opening to a celebratory dinner across the street. Art Basel brings together a motley crew...