[dropcap]A[/dropcap]rt World Spring Break — an event more widely known as Art Basel in Miami Beach — is in full throttle, and it has brought with it the requisite cavalcade of champagne-soaked parties, at which elite art worlders drink, swap business cards, and occasionally, even go back to each other’s hotel rooms. It’s a wild week, during which it is easy to find yourself inches away from Paris Hilton (the girl is flawless IRL!) or bumming a light off Julian Schnabel (he’s a lot more down-to-earth than you’d think!). A few of the highlights from my week spent beachside:
Germano Celant and Isabelle Bscher. Courtesy of Patrick McMullan.
Paul & Dayssi Kanavos and Kim M. Heirston’s Dinner For Bosco Sodi at the Shelborne Windham Grand:
Bosco Sodi is not, as one of my friends posited, a fancy pasta dish, but rather a New York-based artist whose installation at the Shelborne Windham Grand was feted by art advisor Kim Heirston and hotel owners Paul and Dayssi Kanavos. Ms. Kanavos is something of a legend on the New York social circuit–an extensive New York magazine profile once heralded her as “the self-made socialite”–and I’m happy to report she’s as darling in person as she is in all the Patrick McMullan pics.
Brandon Davis, Gaia Matisse, Paris Hilton and Peter Brant Jr. Courtesy of Patrick McMullan.
Solange Knowles. Courtesy of Patrick McMullan.
Galerie Gmurzynska, Germano Celant, and Sylvester Stallone’s Cocktail Dinatoire:
Any event that takes place at the former mansion of Gianni Versace is bound to be lavish, and this cocktail party thrown to celebrate Galerie Gmurzynska’s Germano Celant-curated Art Basel booth hit the mark perfectly. The evening also celebrated Sylvester Stallone, the legendary actor and a painter represented by the gallery, and was attended by the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio (who I stood mere feet away from inside the event’s VIP room), but sadly not his newest well-dressed supermodel girlfriend Kelly Rohrbach.
Dayssi Olarte Kanavos. Courtesy of Patrick McMullan.
The Andy Warhol Museum Dinner at Mr. Chow
The Andy Warhol Museum hosted a dinner at Mr. Chow to celebrate the upcoming opening of Chow’s show “Voice For My Father.” While the Christmas music inexplicably blasting from the restaurant was a little strange given the heat and the palm trees, it was worth it to hear Julian Schnabel tell the noisy crowd to “shut the fuck up” during his speech.
China Chow and Julian Lennon at Andy Warhol Museum. Courtesy of Patrick McMullan.
Sylvester Stallone. Courtesy of Patrick McMullan.
Dom Perignon, Alex Dellal, Stavros Niarchos, and Vito Schnabel Party at The Wall
Arguably the most exclusive party of the year, this shindig took place at The Wall, the W Hotel’s nightclub, and involved passing through three separate outdoor check points prior to entry. Sadly, it was raining and I was without an umbrella. And no, in case you’re wondering, they do not keep blowdryers in their bathroom. But then, it’s hard to complain about an event where the high-end champagne flows free, and you get to watch Paris Hilton dancing alongside your favorite art dealer.
by Cait Munro
Photos: by Patrick McMullan
