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McKenzie Sullivan

The Art Basel in Miami Beach is one of the most prestigious art shows in the world. More than 260 leading galleries from North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa take part, showcasing contemporary artworks by more than 2,000 artists. Every year a greater number of art collectors, artists, dealers, curators, critics and art enthusiasts from around the world participate in the Art Basel Miami Beach. The exhibiting galleries are among the world's most respected art dealers, offering exceptional pieces by both renowned artists and cutting-edge newcomers. Special exhibition sections feature young galleries, performance art, public art projects and video art.

One example of how the Art Basel show stimulates the art market is easily visible directly in Miami itself. Since Art Basel's debut in 2002 dozens of new galleries have opened in the city and many artists have relocated to Miami, lured by the relatively low rents as well as by Art Basel itself. The fair not only gives artists, collectors and gallery owners a rare opportunity to see world-class art but to hobnob with the leading players in the international art world. The show provides enormous opportunities for less prominent art collectors and smaller galleries to join in the world art stage without being relegated to the large auction houses. Not only does the show stimulate the art market by providing a significant outlet for art collectors to buy and sell but the Fair also stimulates the primary economy in the city. Jason Loeb, Chairman of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce says, "We understand the value of Art Basel because cultural impact has a direct economic impact.  Art Basel has taken Miami Beach from a resort and tourism destination to a destination for art and culture - which means big business for the City.  The 5-day event is bringing international visitors, with a huge number from Latin America, into the city filling hotels to capacity while shopping and eating at our world-renowned restaurants.  The estimated $500 million in impact is leading Miami Beach from recession to resurgence" (Gerrity).

Sorting through all the quality-driven exhibitors I was particularly drawn to Alexandra Birchen, an artist in the Art Positions' sector of the show, located in the Miami Beach Convention Center. It is a platform designed specifically for a single major project from one of Art Basel's participating artists. The platform allows curators, critics and collectors to discover remarkable new talents in a venue decide to promote and market the best of the best around the world. Bircken is represented and curated by the Kimmerich Gallery from New York City.

Birchen is an artist with a unique sculptural language – working with assemblages of rope, thread or nylon stretched, suspended or draped over wood, iron and steel.

Although New York City provides a booming location for the art market, as curators of Bircken's most recent work, Kimmerich Gallery also finds enormous benefit through its exposure to an international audience in Miami as well as from the prestige that a talent like Birchen brings to their profile in this particular venue.

Organic materials such as twigs, steel, rope, mortar, and leather are Alexandra Bircken's materials of choice. She uses predominantly earth-tone colors that draw attention to her sculptures' organic forms and holistic qualities. Birchen also creates installations featuring primitive materials like wood, knitted fragments and twigs. Her work has strong references to traditional craft practices and to the natural world, from which she sources her materials. The uniquely environmental aspect of her creations is instantly attractive to many collectors whose own holistic and trendy lifestyles are reflected in her works.

Click below for some interesting links to Alexandra Bircken's works and an interview with her discussing what inspires her to create and how she finds her materials.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyF7SXwaBZ4 

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/artpages/alexandra_bircken_unit4_fusion.htm

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Bibliography

"Art Positions." Art | Basel | Miami Beach. Web. 05 Jan. 2012.

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"Alexandra Bircken." KIMMERICH. Web. 05 Jan. 2012. 

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Gerrity, Michael. "Art Basel Miami Beach Becomes $500 Million Economic Stimulus Package for Local Economy." World Property Channel. 2 Dec. 2011. Web. 05 Jan. 2012.

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Maneker, Marion. "Art Basel Miami Beach: Good or Bad?" Art Market Monitor. 30 Nov. 2011. Web. 5 Jan. 2012.

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