Photographed by Taylor JewellThis week, the art world descends on Miami for the annual Art Basel Miami Beach fair. To help us navigate the scene, we spoke with Laura de Gunzburg, who’s a triple-threat art insider: not only is she the Chair of the Dia Contemporaries, but the New York-based de Gunzburg is also Director of Membership for The Cultivist and Contributing Editor for Cultured Magazine. Here, wearing Tory’s embellished long sleeve coat, stretch wool pencil skirt and Rosette mini saddle bag, she gives us the scoop on where to go and what to see — and how to stay zen in the midst of it all.
I love Art Basel Miami Beach because…
Although most art fairs just attract those from the art world, ABMB brings together a diverse mix from all industries. There is something about working in Miami during a week when all your friends plan to be there too.
This year, I am looking forward to…
Anselm Kiefer’s expansive exhibition at The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse, Daniel Arsham and Isaac Julian’s respective exhibitions at Jewel Box at the YoungArts Campus and Nari Ward’s mid-career survey at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (this will be his largest exhibition to date!).
For the first-time ABMB attendee, I advise…
Two things: Don’t wear heels during the day at the fair — not worth it and you can look a bit out of place — and don’t schedule yourself back-to-back between the Design District and Miami Beach; during Basel the traffic can be pretty bad.
When I go, I always take my…
My Cultivist card to get me ahead of the queues at the museums, my Mophie charger because my phone is always running out of batteries from the hundreds of pictures I am snapping and my YogaToes to relax after a day of running around! They really are amazing and make your legs so relaxed.
Other can’t-miss events in Miami that week…
Bosco Sodi’s 18k gold gilded volcanic rock sculpture at the Shelborne; Larry Gagosian and Jeffrey Deitch’s collaborative exhibition at the Moore Building, Unrealism, focusing on figurative painting, and JR’s new film ELLIS, presented by Galerie Perrotin, which will be on view at the Melin Building. Stop by C. Madeleine’s because they always have the best vintage finds and The Webster because Laure has the best eye and her curation is unlike anything you will find anywhere else
When I need to escape the crowds…
I love the spa at The Standard; it is super zen.
My go-to restaurant…
Mandolin at Soho House Tiki Bar.
And hotel…
The newly open 1Hotel, the rooms are huge and the rooftop has amazing views.
Favorite place for a cocktail…
Casa Tua upstairs — low key yet fun. Or The Raleigh lobby bar — always fun and you run into people chilling late.
My packing and wardrobe essentials…
My Tory Burch embellished saddlebag — it is a great size and goes with almost everything. My Aquazzura Christie flats — they are perfect with just about anything. And a denim button down — it is so functional and so easy to dress up or down.
While I’m there, I stay on top of the art scene news by reading…
Cultured Magazine has amazing “fresh” content with always a great angle and the WhiteWaller app is great to help you navigate around everything going on in Miami during ABMB.