Now, more than ever, the good and the great of Hollywood and pop music are gathering a reputation as voracious art collectors. In the process they have turned Art Basel Miami Beach, the most celebrated art fair in the U.S., into a star-studded affair. Rapper Pharrell Williams has a vast art collection that includes pieces by Takashi Murakami and Damien Hirst, pictured above. During Art Basel Hirst and Williams attended a Vanity Fair party to celebrate artist Tracey Emin.
Art meets celebrity at Art Basel Miami Beach —
Now, more than ever, the good and the great of Hollywood and pop music are gathering a reputation as voracious art collectors. In the process they have turned Art Basel Miami Beach, the most celebrated art fair in the U.S., into a star-studded affair. Rapper Pharrell Williams has a vast art collection that includes pieces by Takashi Murakami and Damien Hirst, pictured above. During Art Basel Hirst and Williams attended a Vanity Fair party to celebrate artist Tracey Emin.
Photo by Mireya Acierto/Getty Images
An array of evening social events bring artists and celebrity collectors together. It's an opportunity to gossip about purchases made during the day, and a chance to learn more about an artist's works. Actors Kevin Spacey and Eva Longoria, both avid buyers of art, mingled with photographer Randall Slavin during Moments In Motion, an exclusive unveiling of never before seen photos at Art Basel.
Mixing business with pleasure —
An array of evening social events bring artists and celebrity collectors together. It's an opportunity to gossip about purchases made during the day, and a chance to learn more about an artist's works. Actors Kevin Spacey and Eva Longoria, both avid buyers of art, mingled with photographer Randall Slavin during Moments In Motion, an exclusive unveiling of never before seen photos at Art Basel.
Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images
Celebrities and other high-net-worths keep their art advisers busy. "I may be working with one client when my phone receives a text from another," says art adviser Todd Levin. "I will disengage for a moment with the first client and meet the second who requires immediate information on an art work they have just encountered."
Holding the hands of giants —
Celebrities and other high-net-worths keep their art advisers busy. "I may be working with one client when my phone receives a text from another," says art adviser Todd Levin. "I will disengage for a moment with the first client and meet the second who requires immediate information on an art work they have just encountered."
Mireya Acierto/Getty Images
VIPs may swarm Art Basel Miami Beach, but vendors are not concerned with what films you have starred in. As art adviser and collector Andrew Renton says: "It doesn't matter if you flew in on your private jet, you are still going to have to stand in line for a sausage like everyone else."
Wait your turn —
VIPs may swarm Art Basel Miami Beach, but vendors are not concerned with what films you have starred in. As art adviser and collector Andrew Renton says: "It doesn't matter if you flew in on your private jet, you are still going to have to stand in line for a sausage like everyone else."
MCH Messe Schweiz (Basel) AG
Art advisers investigate what's on offer ahead of the fair so that clients can draw up a wish list. "If an adviser does their due diligence, they will request and receive packing lists from galleries well in advance," says Levin. "An adviser will discuss with their clients any art works that may be of interest. Based on those discussions, they will isolate and purchase pieces in advance of the fair."
Ahead of the competition —
Art advisers investigate what's on offer ahead of the fair so that clients can draw up a wish list. "If an adviser does their due diligence, they will request and receive packing lists from galleries well in advance," says Levin. "An adviser will discuss with their clients any art works that may be of interest. Based on those discussions, they will isolate and purchase pieces in advance of the fair."
J Pat Carter/AP
This year brands including Swarovski and Dom Pérignon hosted events during Art Basel Miami Beach. On opening day, BMW hosted a gala in the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. Supermodel Karolina Kurkova and artist Jeff Koons unveiled the BMW Art Car, which features Koons's colorful design.
Hot wheels and big brands —
This year brands including Swarovski and Dom Pérignon hosted events during Art Basel Miami Beach. On opening day, BMW hosted a gala in the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. Supermodel Karolina Kurkova and artist Jeff Koons unveiled the BMW Art Car, which features Koons's colorful design.
Photo by Donald Bowers/Getty Images for BMW)
Cindy Crawford, 47, attended a photographic retrospective of her career during Art Basel Miami Beach. Here, she chats with anonymous Swedish artist Herr Nilsson about one of his paintings, which depicts Snow White.
The model and the monkey —
Cindy Crawford, 47, attended a photographic retrospective of her career during Art Basel Miami Beach. Here, she chats with anonymous Swedish artist Herr Nilsson about one of his paintings, which depicts Snow White.
Photo by Larry Marano/Getty Images for Art Miami
Every year charity art auctions take place around the main art fair. Collector Peter Brant and actor Val Kilmer attended an auction for Best Buddies, an organization that creates opportunites for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In recent years Kilmer, an avid collector, has purchased large sculptures while in Miami.
A helping hand —
Every year charity art auctions take place around the main art fair. Collector Peter Brant and actor Val Kilmer attended an auction for Best Buddies, an organization that creates opportunites for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In recent years Kilmer, an avid collector, has purchased large sculptures while in Miami.
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Best Buddies
Ahead of the VIP preview day, some art advisers plot a route for their clients to follow. The most important pieces can go within minutes. "You've got to really go for it in the first few hours," says adviser Andrew Renton. "You're definitely not stopping off for a two-hour lunch on day one. Maybe day two because you've spent all your money by then."
No time to waste —
Ahead of the VIP preview day, some art advisers plot a route for their clients to follow. The most important pieces can go within minutes. "You've got to really go for it in the first few hours," says adviser Andrew Renton. "You're definitely not stopping off for a two-hour lunch on day one. Maybe day two because you've spent all your money by then."
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
In the past Kanye West has arranged his tour dates to coincide with Art Basel Miami Beach. He's an enthusiastic collector, and is known to prize works by artists Takashi Murakami and George Condo. This year West spoke on a panel at Art Basel along with architect Jacques Herzog.
Kanye on art and design —
In the past Kanye West has arranged his tour dates to coincide with Art Basel Miami Beach. He's an enthusiastic collector, and is known to prize works by artists Takashi Murakami and George Condo. This year West spoke on a panel at Art Basel along with architect Jacques Herzog.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Image
A regular in Miami, Sean P "Diddy" Combs was spotted admiring works by Jeff Koons. In 2012 he reportedly purchased a $65,000 sculpture by Ivan Navarro.
Champagne in the gallery —
A regular in Miami, Sean P "Diddy" Combs was spotted admiring works by Jeff Koons. In 2012 he reportedly purchased a $65,000 sculpture by Ivan Navarro.
Photo by Venturelli/WireImage
In 2011 fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger acquired a Damien Hirst work entitled "Disintegration -- The Crown of Life" for $1.4 million. Here Hilfiger and his wife mingle with Russell Simmons at an Art Basel event hosted by Bombay Sapphire.
Fashionable buyer —
In 2011 fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger acquired a Damien Hirst work entitled "Disintegration -- The Crown of Life" for $1.4 million. Here Hilfiger and his wife mingle with Russell Simmons at an Art Basel event hosted by Bombay Sapphire.
Photo by Mireya Acierto/Getty Images
During the previous Art Basel Miami Beach, Chanel hosted a luxury barbecue at Soho House. Guests included Wendi Deng Murdoch, Peter Thiel, Dasha Zhukova and, pictured, Lenny Kravitz and Demi Moore.
Haute barbecue —
During the previous Art Basel Miami Beach, Chanel hosted a luxury barbecue at Soho House. Guests included Wendi Deng Murdoch, Peter Thiel, Dasha Zhukova and, pictured, Lenny Kravitz and Demi Moore.
Photo by Mireya Acierto/Getty Images
Last year domestic goddess Martha Stewart hobnobbed with art lovers at a dinner hosted by fashion guru Daphne Guinness during Art Basel.
Martha in Miami —
Last year domestic goddess Martha Stewart hobnobbed with art lovers at a dinner hosted by fashion guru Daphne Guinness during Art Basel.
Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images