Traditionally, South Beach has been the place to be for Art Basel Miami Beach. When it was founded in 2002, few parties or events spilled outside of the blocks surrounding the Convention Center.
That fact—much like the city itself—has changed over the last decade. A lot. Now Wynwood, the Design District and more neighborhoods all enjoy a slice of Basel. But one of the most exciting areas to be during Art Basel over the last couple years has been Mid-Beach—and that’s largely thanks to the programming over at the Faena Art District, the chunk of Miami Beach between 32nd Street and 36th Street that houses the Faena Hotel, Faena Theater, Faena Forum and Casa Faena.
Last year the Faena District had some of the city’s most interesting public art installations, including Peter Tunney’s Sinking of the Taj Mahal, the Museum of Ice Cream and a nighttime light show of more than a hundred synchronized flying drones. This year, they want to outdo themselves.
And they plan on doing that with the first ever Faena Festival. Taking place this Basel, the inaugural Faena Festival will be titled “This Is Not America,” a name inspired by Alfredo Jaar’s 1987 visual work, A Logo for America. That work—a piece critical of the United States’ ethnocentrism—will be playing throughout the festival on a boat armed with a jumbo LED screen, which will drive up and down the beach by the Faena District.
In addition, the Faena Festival will see an array of site-specific installations and performances spread throughout the area. Many will deal with the topic of America, and who gets to call it home. Participating artists include Derrick Adams, Cecilia Bengolea, Alfredo Jaar, Isabel Lewis, Luna Paiva, Tavares Strachan, and Wu Tsang and boychild.
Though specifics have yet to be announced, it’s safe to assume that this will be one of the highlights of Art Basel. So don’t leave town without stopping by.
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