We're back...

Good morning, lovelies! We're back from sunny Miami, and it's snowing flurries today here in NYC -- talk about a rough transition! So it's going to be a bit trying for us today. Humpf. But while we get re-acclimated to the cold weather, we wanted to share a few photos from our trip, in case you'd like to see. Happy Monday xo!

Performance art, poolside, directed by very talented Israeli artist Orit Ben-Shitrit at Zoom Art Fair...


Brooklyn girls make it out to Art Basel...

Lisa Michelle and me doing some gallery hopping in the trendy Design District...

Art Basel. It was great to see everyone come out to support the arts...

One of our fave photographers, Ryan McGinley...

Elizabeth Peyton ♥...

Miami Art Guide 2010

Rainbow City by FriendsWithYou.


A visitor at the Rubell Family Collection via NYT.


"The Living Room," created by Robert Behar and Rosario Marquardt via Architonic.


Pink Snails via Miami Art Zine.

As we posted earlier this week, Claudia and I are heading down to Miami today for a fun, art-filled weekend. If you're anything like us, you may be feeling overwhelmed by all of the incredible parties, concerts and exhibits happening simultaneously. Where to even begin! To make sure we squeeze in every awesome event, we've created this little DOPT Guide to Art Basel Weekend. However, because so many other great guides have been created, such as this amazing one by Fábrika, our list is a little more about what we are personally excited about.

I am hoping we have enough stamina to make it through the weekend. So much to do and we can't wait!

Wednesday, December 1st
Kicking off the festivities with a free Metric concert at Collins Park's Oceanfront pavilion.
Collins Park, 10pm
201 21st St
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Thursday, December 2nd
FriendsWithYou presents Building Blocks
Opening Reception: Thursday, December 2nd, 6pm
3930 NE 2nd Avenue 2nd Floor
Miami Design District
oh-wow.com

Followed by OHWOW's It Ain't Fair 2010.
Opening reception Thursday, December 2, 2010 8pm.
Exhibition design by Rafael de Cárdenas
81 NE 40 ST / Miami / Florida / 33127

Followed by an after party at BAR
28 NE 14 ST. Downtown Miami

And if you still have time, there is a free (with RSVP) Twin Shadow, Phantogram and Flosstradamus show.

Friday, December 3rd
FriendsWithYou presents Rainbow City
December 3-5, 2010 10am - 10pm Daily
140 NE 39th St Miami Design District

Satiation by one of DOPT's very dear friend, Maria Builes.
We are definitely not missing this one! Follow Maria's Twitter for exact location day of.

Saturday, December 4th and Sunday, December 5th
Although not entirely art related, Claudia and I are spending Saturday and Sunday shopping at Miami's very best vintage and thrift stores. It's been several years since we have lived there, so we're excited to see what new ones have popped up. And we're even more excited about what we hope to be reasonable prices! Sometimes thrifting in New York isn't so thrifty...

But if you're looking for something Saturday evening, I hear this will be pretty fun. Basel Castle!

Helpful links
Official Art Basel details here.
Download the Art Basel app. Genius!
Miami New Times' guide to Basel events.
In my opinion, a great looking weekend guide, also with an app.
Anytime this weekend, visit ZOOM where one of our bff's, Persis, will be working at the Artis exhibit.

Great Bars and Stores (This list should be much longer, but again, it's been too long since we've lived there!)
Bardot
Poplife
Books and Books
Sweat Records

We hope this is helpful to you this weekend and if you're around, contact us! It would be great to see you. ♥

Art from Miami: Hernan Bas

The Merger, 2005, acrylic, gouache, watercolor and oil pastel on paper, 30 1/4 x 22 1/2 in. (76.8 x 57.1 cm), Rubell Family Collection, Miami


The Burden (I Shall Leave No Memoirs), 2006, acrylic and gouache on linen, 20 x 16 in. (50.8 x 40.6 cm), Rubell Family Collection, Miami

Next week, Claudia and I are heading back to Miami for Art Basel. We grew up between Miami and New York and even though we're all settled here now, including our parents, going back there always feels like going home. Miami is one of the prettiest places and if you look beyond its reputation as a superficial party city, you'll actually discover there is a lot of rich history to explore and in the past decade alone, has grown significantly in terms of art and culture.

One of my favorite artists to come out of Miami in the past several years has to be Hernan Bas. He is a relatively young artist whose work can be described as very romantic and melancholic. I remember the first time I ever saw his art was in 2002 at the Fredric Snitzer Gallery for his exhibit, First Comes the Blood, Then Come the Boys. I was drawn to his work because there was something mysterious and enigmatic to it, and of course as a young collegiate, I highly romanticized anything that seemed esoteric. Since 2002, I believe his style has grown to be even more complex and he has gained well deserved recognition. The last time I saw his work for example, was at the Brooklyn Museum last year. And although I don't think he will have any shows during Art Basel, seeing his work again now reminds me of how much talent is in Miami and it thrills me to know I will be back again next week!

Bas' next New York exhibit will be in 2011 at the Lehmann Maupin gallery.

Stay tuned for a more in-depth Art Basel Guide next week!