If context is everything in art, how does placing an art show in the middle of the sea change our experience of the work? That’s the obvious question posed by New York’s Half Gallery, which hosted the second iteration of one-day Miami Art week pop up Stiltsville Thursday.
If nothing else, it made for quite the adventure for the 130 collectors, artists, and art world hangers-on (including yours truly) that braved the two-hour sea journey to the Bay Chateau, one of six houses still standing in Stiltsville. With guests traveling throughout the morning, the weather alternated between clear, bright sun and a steely downpour with gusts of powerful wind, until the boat reached its far-out destination for a genial afternoon of art, swimming, and sun.
Stiltsville is a collection of houses built in Biscayne Bay, off the coast of Miami, in the 1930s. For decades, the houses, of which there were 27 at peak, were a major nightlife attraction, featuring restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and gambling houses. Illicit activity hidden from prying eyes was the allure. The surviving houses have become landmarks in Biscayne National Park.
“I think traveling via boat with a small group of other art lovers is more unique than bumping into someone at a fair,” Half Gallery’s director Erin Goldberger said in a statement.
That’s an understatement. Between the mildly treacherous sea journey, a healthy amount of cocktails, and the convivial air from the many friends and family of the artists and gallery present, it was a unique experience indeed.
See what the experience was like below:
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Guests headed out on boats throughout the morning, but the last boat — which I was on — was delayed due to a deluge.
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Bay Chateau, one of six remaining Stiltsville houses, lies about a mile south of Cape Florida. We had a bumpy ride with the wind.
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The catamaran was an easy place to make friends, thanks to the bartender serving up cocktails and the couple hours marooned at sea.
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By the time we reached the Bay Chateau, the wind was whipping up a rough sea. Smaller boats had to meet us to make the final stretch.
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But then it was time to hang out, view some art, and relax in a historic location. It was a rare opportunity to check out Stiltsville up close.
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Stiltsville was curated by Half-Gallery founder Bill Powers (seen here) and director Erin Goldberger, who were on hand to talk guests through the work.
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The pop-up was first time an event has been held at a Stiltsville house. Visiting without a permit is illegal.
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There were plenty of drinks around to sip while viewing the art, like this work, Midnight Gator Wranglin’ by Houston-based artist Loc Huynh.
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Other artists on view included (clockwise from top left): Asif Hoque, Hiejin Yoo, Daieny Chin, Yoora Lee, Young Lee.
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New York-based painter Daniel Heidkamp said he based his work Stiltsville (the painting on the left) on his experience of the sunset at last year’s edition of the pop-up.
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Some of the artists presented works on view at the fairs, like Monsieur Zohore whose Won’t Go Down, 1836-2022 (top left) was from a series shown at NADA.
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Many of the artists on view showed up to the pop-up to see the show. Here, New York-based artist Yuan Fang stands with her painting Fireworks 07.
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Most of the works were already sold by the time guests made their rounds. Pieces were sold to Top 200 Collectors Don and Mera Rubell and Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, reported Artnet News Sarah Cascone.