Our Art Basel Miami experience was a study in contrasts—equal parts creative euphoria and logistical frustration, with enough party-hopping to make even the most seasoned art week veteran exhausted.

Thursday night kicked off at the Carl Fisher Clubhouse, right next to the Miami Beach Convention Center, where A$AP Rocky unveiled his collaboration with Ray-Ban with his designs of the Classic Wayfarer and Mega Wayfarer sunglasses. The energy was exactly what you’d expect from a Rocky event—packed, buzzy, and setting the bar high for the weekend ahead. You knew you were in the right place when you walked into the event with Rihanna and Sofi Tukker making an appearances then later A$AP Rocky himself.

From there, we headed to the BLOND:ISH party, part of the Long Feng art car party at the Toe Jam Backlot. The amazing art car spectacle provided the perfect continuation of the night, blending music and visual art in that distinctly Art Basel way.

The evening wrapped with the Factory Town party with sets from Cloonee, Richie Hawtin, and Green Velvet—a powerhouse lineup that extended the festivities into the kind of blur that would set the tone for the days ahead.

Friday delivered on the promise of Art Basel. Starting at the David LaChapelle show, seeing his signature surreal, hypercolor imagery—a reminder of why people descend on Miami for this chaos in the first place.

The art gave way to exclusivity at the Nylon Magazine private party, followed by the Art With Me party. NYLON showed why it was the place with be with Diplo, Travis Scott among others checking out a surprise PA by Elle Goulding then Adriatique playing their hypnotic sound.  Those lucky enough to score an invite or be a NYLON member in addition to the open bar and festival-quality talent were able to score free cosmetics from e.l.f. 

After Adriatique finished we made our way to the Art with Me party in downtown Miami. We had been forewarned that the doors were opening late and the line to get in was moving slowly but we luckily did not experience that when we arrived. The party itself had an Grade-A lineup with Eric Prydz headining the main stage along with Camelphat while Luciano played both a dj set and introduced his new live show as well.

Saturday was when Miami’s infrastructure fought back. The plan to take the free water taxi hit an immediate wall—the line stretched impossibly long, forcing an Uber pivot (Miami traffic be it on the street or water is no joke!). But that was just the beginning. Upon arriving at Art Basel itself, the ticketing system had crashed, leaving the entire afternoon in digital limbo. No ticket, no entry.

Not one to be defeated, we hoofed it to the amazing Library of Us art installation on the beach near the Faena Hotel, finding solace in accessible public art.

The evening held promise with a house party in the Venetian Islands with Marco Corola, Luciano Scalioni and Talon, but the universe had other plans by arriving just as capacity was reached and the doors closed.

By 1:30 a.m., we made the rare Art Basel decision to call it quits, choosing sleep over another potential disappointment. Sometimes knowing when to fold is the most sophisticated choice you can make.

Art Basel Miami is less about perfect execution and more about rolling with the chaos—celebrating the wins, laughing at the absurdities, and knowing that even the disappointments make for better stories than a weekend spent anywhere else. We’ll be back next year hopefully with being able to book helicopter taxis!

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By: Greg Wasik
Title: Art Basel Miami: A Weekend of Highs and Hindrances
Sourced From: edmlife.com/art-basel-miami-a-weekend-of-highs-and-hindrances/
Published Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2025 01:01:18 +0000

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