Every year, Art Basel transforms the ultra stylish, artsy, sun soaked beach city of Miami into an art-hub like none other. This year we also witnessed the popularity of ART NFTs (Non Fungible Tokens) taking over the Miami scene. We curated a list of some of the best events that took place during Art Basel 2021.
Abra Took Over Scope Miami Beach With An Exclusive Live Performance By Masego Featuring Devin Williams
Marta Pozzan
On Friday, December 3rd, ABRA cryptocurrency platform headlined the SCOPE Miami Art Exhibit with crypto and NFT focused panels followed by an energized Friday night party to comprise their “Celebration Of The Intersection of Art & The Blockchain” Activation Series. The 500+ person party, which featured a performance by MASEGO with special guest Devin Williams, was held at SCOPE’s New Contemporary NFT focused exhibit space, highlighted by the mister E installation. The event kicked off with sounds by Ricks, followed by dynamic female DJ duo Angel + Dren.
ABRA is a cryptocurrency wallet that allows users to buy, sell and hold 25 cryptocurrencies and 50 fiat currencies in one place. They operate an easy-to-use app that allows users to access interest-earning, buying, selling and trading in cryptocurrencies, in one single place. Their vision is an open, global financial system that is easily accessible to everyone. Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/abra_global/
Website: https://www.abra.com
Friday night’s ABRA party featured drinks by Grey Goose, High West Distillery and COASTAL Spritz premium canned wine spritzers, with partners NFT Now, SuperRare, ThankYouX, YellowHeart, Art House and The Future Party. Additional partners included Pioneer DJ, ADE, Cookie Pop OREO and Secret Walls.
Notable industry and influencer guests filled the room, such as Model Marta Pozzan and Giuseppe Giofrè, Lil Fresh Sam, Nastassja, Kodak Lewis, Kye West, Justin Crayton, Dash Williams, Darius Ricks, Sukie S, Yasmine Smith, Ming Bey, Xavier Banks, Nefatari Cooper, Stephanie Acosta, Giselle Liotta, Ali Lasky, Ale Wilson, Ben Wilson, Oshoke Umolo, Raj Ade, Ballers producer Joey Krutel, and many more attended the music, art and crypto focused celebration leading into the Friday night of Art Basel weekend, closing out the celebratory filled week.
The daytime crypto and NFT focused panels led by ABRA on Friday, December 3rd, included Money Talks w/ Abra CEO Bill Barhydt Ft. artist Mister E, Conversations with Jimi Zendrix, Creative Director at Secret Walls, and Nick Rose, CEO of Ethernity, and Adrian Baschuk, CNBC Crypto Trader, as well as NFT NOW Presents ThankYouX and SuperRare in Conversation, “Moderated by Matt Medved,” and Art House Presents The Physical Meets Digital Future of NFTS.
Mister E Installation @Scope Presented By Abra
Featured all week at SCOPE ART SHOW and highlighted during the event was the installation by Mister E, and was THE sought after activation at the exhibit space.
https://scope-art.com/show/miami-beach-2021/programming/#mister-e-installation-atrium
Contemporary artist mister e, known globally for his iconic colorful interpretation of the US $100 bill, “Benny Jr.” and the phrase “Money Isn’t Real” returned once again to the SCOPE ART FAIR for its 20th anniversary with another immersive installation that take patrons on a journey to another universe. “100” is more than just a number to mister e. “100 is authentic, 100 is whole, 100 is the truth, 100 is real.” 100 was the first installation to combine the physical and digital world, allowing the viewers to physically walk into an NFT. 100 will be mister e’s debut NFT release and was Made possible by ABRA.
Scope Art Show Vip Kick Off Preview Featuring Coastal Spritz
On Tuesday, November 30th, SCOPE ART SHOW MIAMI BEACH Returned to Ocean Drive for their 20th Edition Show featuring a VIP kick off party from 4-8pm highlighted by a COASTAL Spritz pop up bar. Media, influencers and key art industry guests attended the four hour afternoon celebration at the beachfront tent, sipping on the premium light wine brand flavors such as Pineapple Rosé, Watermelon Rosé, Classic Rosé and Sauvignon Blanc spritzers served in their signature mini inflatable flamingos. The brand is available all across Florida at Wawa stores, as well as nationwide. Www.coastalspritz.com.
Contemporary galleries and artists from all over the world showcased their beautiful art, with guests in attendance such as Foodgod, Steve Aoki, Marta Pozzan, Diana Madison, and Artist Robyn Blair. The 20th edition of SCOPE Miami Beach returned to the sands of Ocean Drive and 8th Street, from November 30th through December 5th, this year featuring 140 International Exhibitors from 25 countries and 60 cities. SCOPE Miami Beach welcomed over 60,000 visitors over the course of 6 days. Amidst an unprecedented outpouring of critical acclaim from press, curators, and collectors, SCOPE Miami Beach once again was poised to lead the charge for the emerging contemporary art market.
COASTAL Spritz is grown in the Columbia Valley of Washington State, Coastal is a pioneer of premium light wine. Coastal Spritz’s goal is to provide consumers with the highest quality wine spritz in a ready – to – drink option. Flavors include Pineapple Rosé, Watermelon Rosé, Classic Rosé, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc (6 flavors).
Visit www.coastalspritz.com | Instagram: @DrinkCoastalSpritz
Balmain World Aids Day Event @Scope Miami Beach
Wednesday Evening, December 1st, SCOPE welcomed a private event with BALMAIN. BALMAIN, in collaboration with (RED), hosted a party to celebrate a new work by land and street artist SAYPE in Miami to mark World AIDS Day.
Dj White Shadow Performs @Scope Miami Beach
Thursday Evening, December 2nd, SCOPE hosted an evening celebration featuring DJ WHITE SHADOW, Grammy Winning producer, known for his work with Lady Gaga, among others.
Arthur J Williams Jr. Vip Gallery Exhibit Pop-up
On Saturday, December 4th, Renowned Master Counterfeiter turned Artist Athur J Williams Jr. hosted a pop up exhibit during Art Basel in Wynwood showcasing his latest collection, “One Hundred Dollabyte.” The show featured his One Hundred Dollar bill inspired artwork, as well as a preview of his new NFT collections. Arthur has is popular DaVinci’s gallery located in LA’s Melrose district, with top art collectors and celebrities alike seeking out his pieces. https://davincisgallery.com
CORE Response Annual Art Basel Gala
Held December 1st, 2021 at Soho Beach House, Sean Penn hosted his annual gala to raise funds this year for CORE Latin America, in the wake of the Haiti natural disasters and support needed for their Covid-Relief Programs in Latin America. A live performance took place by one of the evening’s co-hosts Anitta wowed the room, and the event was also co-hosted by Dylan Penn, Leonardo DiCaprio, Francisco Costa, Alan Faena, Princess Eugenie, Vivi Nevo, Shareef Malnik & Gabrielle Anwar, and Soleil Moon Frye. Others in attendance included Lukas Haas, Danny A. Abeckaser, Dave Grutman and Isabela Grutman, Laurie Lynn Stark, and many more. The intimate gala was sponsored by American Airlines and produced by Josh Wood. www.coreresponse.org. CORE stands for Community Organized Relief Effort. A live art installation by Mister Kaves also took place.
From Burberry to Louis Vuitton and Chanel to Balmain, fashion rolled through Art Basel in a major way this year hosting star-filled parties and celebrations all week long in Miami. That, paired with the overpowering presence of Cryptocurrency and NFT entities, also donning this year Crypto Week, with NFT BZL creating a big presence on November 30th.
Additionally, Art Basel would not be complete without stacked music performances by top artists. Lizzo performed at the AMEX part at The Edition on Saturday, December 4th while Cardi B. threw it down at Strawberry Moon at Good Time Hotel. Steve Aoki with artist Alec Monopoly, Marshmello, Martin Garrix and more headlined LIV nightclub all week at Fountainbleu, with Meek Mill and Lil Tunechi closing out LIV on December 5th. Kid Cudi headlined the December 1st party at the Faena Dome, Tori Lanez and Migos performed at the Bitcoin Latinum Launch with Genesis NFT Minting on December 1st at Mr Jones, as well as at Migos live at ELEVEN the following night, and of course MASEGO at the ABRA party at SCOPE.
With the lifting of post-pandemic shut downs (despite all Covid-19 protocols being adhered to throughout the festival week), art enthusiasts, artists, entertainment industry, influencers, celebrities, models, fashion designers, music artists, collectors, the crypto and NFT world were ready to get back into the magic and hustle of a bustling Art Basel.
(Photo Courtesy of WORLD RED EYE)
