For those of us in the creative space, Art Basel is rapidly becoming the hottest annual event to attend. Hosted all across Miami Florida – most notably in the rapidly gentrifying Wynwood area – Art Basel sets the stage for super talented and underrated artists to finally have their work showcased. However, what isn’t on the main stage at Art Basel is the glaring disparities in the access to art. While I had the pleasure of existing in this makeshift creative utopia hopping from gallery to gallery, dining at open concept food halls, and partying hard at underground clubs, Art Basel has a dark side no one wants to acknowledge; poverty looms and exclusivity reigns.
Art has the amazing ability to transport the creator and consumer to realities not readily available in our normal lives. But what happens when we allow art to blind us to reality completely? The greatest example of this can be found in the heartbeat of Art Basel – Wynwood. Directly across the street from the Wynwood area is neighboring Overtown, who’s median income per household is only a little over $20,000 annually. Unknowingly, a friend and I walked through this neighborhood only to immediately recognize that we weren’t in “Kansas” anymore. Empty lots filled with abandoned furniture and piles of loose garbage served as the backdrop to black and brown faces who celebrated their Friday night like many of us – on their porches with card games, loud music, and small gatherings of friends. Hailing from Brooklyn, one would think that sketchy neighborhoods are things that I’d be accustomed to but this was different. This was one of South Florida’s oldest black neighborhoods ravaged by the crack epidemic and violence and in desperate need of assistance. Why weren’t they at the events across the street? Why did this festival stop at their doorstep instead of including this neighborhood in serious need of an economic boost? Did the influx of artsy tourists set an invisible “mean girl” tone that kept these residents away or did the self imposed social probation due to shame over socioeconomics rear its ugly head yet again? The questions are endless and I’m sure as this event grows, the answers will appear. But if you are still doubtful of the conditions that exist there, check out music by Overtown native Hound Da God – who uses his music to give his hometown the recognition he feels it deserves.
Art Basel is now over – pounds from great dining have been gained and my bank account is still trying to figure out who the hell I think I am. Despite the post trip bankruptcy, it was truly a great experience that I encourage everyone with the slightest bit of imagination to attend. Not only will you experience great artists in the making but you will also – hopefully – be inspired to create yourself. Should you decide to attend next year, make a commitment to remember the hosting neighborhood as you consume its art and share its space. If there is a gallery showing in that neighborhood, go. If there is a restaurant with great reviews within its corridor, patronize it. Do what I should have done and promise to do next time. It will help you dodge a question that bothers me to this day – which is worse, partying with the likes of Billionaire Boys Club across the street from Overtown or knowing that their residents watched me party from across the street. Heavy huh?
artbasel, culture, featured, miami
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