COMPOSE YOURSELF | 16 December 2019

Signe Pierce’s performance at Art Basel Miami has been singled out as an “epic highlight” of the entertainment programme.


Art Basel 2019: The Parties We Can’t Stop Re-Living

By Brit Wherry

Bio-Haque with Grimes, Sophie and Nina Kraviz at RC Cola. An open-air warehouse in Wynwood was the destination of Friday night’s mission. After teasing her ‘one night only’ Bio-Haque show the past few weeks, we were beyond excited to see what Grimes had dreamt up, especially amidst the backdrop of Art Basel. 

The old warehouse had been taken over by three badass female visionaries, and for one night we were all entranced in their singular power.

To start the evening was SOPHIE, a producer that defies genre on so many levels that her catalogue is hard to keep up with. Bringing ‘reality’ artist Signe Pierce onstage to debut her first musical performance, the epic highlight was their collaboration on an unfinished track called ‘Fuck Reality’.

A look at her neon-centric world on Instagram will introduce you to everything Signe Pierce is about. 

We couldn’t help but think how wonderfully Signe’s art would’ve complimented the space; Styled for a night in Miami, Signe in her neon noir matching bathing suit and scrunchy with the longest blonde ponytail, launched into the new track by asking the crowd “Do you wanna be alive?” and with that, started the precedent for the entire evening. 

Is it any wonder that Signe Pierce was the perfect component to the Bio-Haque formula? Although we were expecting more of a grittier performance, we stayed for some of Grimes DJ set, who played her latest single “We Appreciate Power”.

Cake Factory with Soulection Showcase: Ah, Wynwood. Home to the vibrant, color-blasted walls that take up residency for weeks leading up to Basel. If you can peel your eyes away from the surrounding art buffet, you’ll find some incredible parties happening just for the occasion. My must-see show? The Soulection showcase, which took place at Cake Factory on December 6th. 

Since its start in 2011, Soulection has grown from simply being a radio show to becoming its own movement of sound and culture. The shows’ introduction speaks for itself: Future Beats, Eclectic Soul, Forgotten Gems & Timeless Sounds.

Independent artists associated with the label produce many genres, but they all have the Soulection vibe – a natural, almost nostalgic feel. That’s how great curation works; it’s hard to explain. Listen to the latest Radio Show here to see what I mean.

For our listening pleasure we had Soulection founder Joe Kay, Andre Power, esta, Sahar Habibi and Andres Uribe. Plus, many of our favorite creators were behind most of Cake Factory’s decor itself, such as Berk Visual, Third Eye Assembly, Balloonski and Junkyard. With pieces on display as well as painting several walls across Wynwood, Berk was one artist I was stoked to connect with. The man stays busy in his home of LA, always seeking out new projects and curating showcases. Our interview will be dropping soon, so stay tuned to Berk Visual’s profile in the meantime.

With such an inclusive and laid-back vibe, it’s easy to fit in and stay a while at a Soulection showcase, even during a wild party like Art Basel.

Superchief Gallery at Mana Contemporary: After making the move from downtown Miami to Wynwood this year, the new location felt just like home. Before entering the gallery there were walls being worked on out front by a few artists; my favorite mural was by Saturno and featured a giant crocodile draped in jewels. I also got to check out a pop-up by another artist I admire, Ron English, whose work I was able to see in person for the first time.

Inside of Superchief, the energy was thriving with every square foot packed with beats, conversation and of course, some crazy ass art. From large scale installations and Mad-Max style vehicles to gruesome sculptures and lowbrow comic book violence, this gallery has something to attract every type of creative.

Seeking something grimy? Superchief provides. 

Some highlights of the show included works by Kristen Liu-Wong, Alex Pardee, Parker Day, JJ Villiard, Parker Jackson and Lauren YS. 

Superchief stays at the top of their game by showcasing the most eccentric artists of the underground. With massive warehouse galleries in New York and LA, it’s clear to see how many others feel the same.

Satellite Art Show: the Breakfast Club of Art Basel: Congratulations are in order for one of Miami Art week’s hidden gems; December 5th has been proclaimed “Satellite Art Show Day”. Here, the weirdies of Basel celebrate among their own in the best art show that kept us coming back all weekend, (also the SXSW 2019 showcase *kisses fingers*).

Last year we were invited to this traveling art show by a tinder swipe, and now we’re traveling to see it. Notorious for its larger-than-life inflatables, immersive installations, holographic landscapes and live performance art, Satellite is the destination show to find new experiences and have diverse interactions. With so many exhibitors in one space, it’s hard to leave this expertly curated collective.

We chatted briefly with graphic artist Liza Philosof, Israeli-born artist in town for her first Basel. Her colorful designs stole our attention upon entry, as it was the main focus as leading to the indoor exhibits

“I see my paintings as a visual extension of my emotional journey in life. A reflection of the struggles and challenges we all have. Climbing a mountain or crossing an ocean are just metaphors of deep tectonic movement happening in our souls. Nature has endless layers, as we have. In paintings, I try to embrace observing nature with an interpretation of what our inner world looks like. I feel that one of my secret missions is to continue to see life in color.” – Liza Philosof

BECOMING by Colleen Terrell Comer .. Upon approach, the larger than body, inflatable vinyl yellow in hand with the blue eye extended a greeting, almost as a welcoming into the art piece itself. The other side was an array of multi-colored rubber gloves cascaded from palm to tips in this artists rendition on the correlation between “cultural assumptions and gender expectations for women” while noting the different hats, or gloves in Colleen’s case.

Taking a step inside you feel teleported into a neon futuristic jungle hideaway. Emily Klass’ mixed media project; Hold on Forever, is the product of a months long communication between artist and her father, an interior horticulturist.

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