New York City artist Blossom Verlinsky sent some shots she grabbed at the current and in-progress Art Basel Art Fair, Miami, and the Art Miami Fair in Florida. Blossom included her commentary on each piece she sent an image for, including mixed media, paintings, collage, photography, sculpture, installation, performance, and textiles– all diverse works by such artists as Kiki Smith, Alexander Calder, Masami Teraoka, Benjamin Edelstein, Li Hui, Adolph Gottlieb, Sigmar Polke, Sissi, Frank Stella, Olga De Amaral, Franck Loret, George Sherwood, Philip Taafe, Fred Tomaselli, Robert Diago, and a painting influenced by mentor Fernand Leger painted by William Klein in 1949.

Here is what Blossom sent yesterday:

The Art at The Art Basel Show was not as exciting as the crowds streaming through, more costumed than dressed(perhaps as the people they wanted to be). There was a great deal of frantic hunting and gathering – not much contemplating of the art itself – I was disappointed by the quality of the art (not the best examples of that particular artist). The Art Basel Show last year had more substance and was much better. Although, one always finds art that speaks to you, that grabs you.

The Art Miami Shows in Wynwood were much more interesting, personal and inventive. I am sending you several images that were of interest to me for various reasons – some artworks
that I had wanted to include were unfortunately un-photographable.

Blossom Verlinsky

Masami Teraoka,Geisha in Ofuro, Jacquard Tapestry 115″ x 78″  Zadok Gallery, Wynwood, Miami
Wonderful take on a traditional japanese subject – had an old world feel.

Li Hui, Void and Substance, An Installation, Zadok Gallery, Wynwood, Miami
A poetic, dazzling and dramatic construct – The crimson laser and LED lights pierce through the darkness of the 28′ height space. As you wander within the space you become part of the
luminescence – you become lost in it – disoriented.

Benjamin Edelstein, Panoramic Photo of Colorado Canyons printed on pearl paper 40″ x 90″
Rich colors and textures on a grand scale.

Kiki Smith   ‘Telepathy’.  Bronze.  95.1 x 56.3 x 4.25″   Galerie LELONG
An iconic figure, perhaps Aphrodite with her energies as amulets.  Beautifully textured surfaces of varied toned bronze.

Shintaro Miyake, Untitled, Tomio Koyama Gallery, Kyoto
Fanciful painting of comic creatures in time travel – taking off from time itself. Escapism.

Adolph Gottlieb
A shimmering red orb – a lovely painting.

Sigmar Polke, Two Heads, acrylic and lacquer on canvas, Michael Werner Gallery
Two heads floating in a landscape of colors and forms.

Sissi, Figure 12, FaMa Gallery, Verona, Italy
Snarls of rope, knotted, twisted and tangled – part of her performance pieces that she wears. A lovely arrangement of colored fibers.

Frank Stella ( Blossom’s note: I haven’t been able to locate my notes about this painting)
It caught my eye and was so happy in the midst of rather colorless art.

Alexander Calder, Le Chaval-Cailiou,  gouache on paper   29.25″x42.5″  Waterhouse & Dodd
Reminded me of his circus works – fantastic figures and animals.

Olga De Amaral, Arboles(Trees), linen, gesso, acrylic, gold leaf  90.55 x 66.93″ Nohra Haime Gallery
A beautiful piece.  An architectural tapestry of golden surfaces of light. Rich interplay of twisted weaves as though from a Pre-Columbian forest.

Franck Loret, Galerie Lelia Murdoch, Paris and Miami
A large filigree of delicate strands. A mystical wall hanging with reminders of architectural structures – bridges and parapets.

George Sherwood, Seismic Memory, stainless steel 62 x 62″  Cynthia Reeves Gallery
A wonderful interplay of metallic surfaces – shimmering and mesmerizing.

Philip Taafe, Untitled, Mixed media on panel.  39″x29″   Luhring Augustine Gallery
Lovely painting of textures and colors – reminds me of embroideries.

Fred Tomaselli, Penetrators, photo collage, acrylic, resin on wood panel.  James Cohan Gallery
A stunningly colorful painting – richly detailed. Struggle of good and evil in a cosmos.

Robert Diago, No 13 (de la series Entre Lineas), mixed media on canvas, 78.75 x 59″ Magnan Metz Gallery
Reminiscent of a tapestry – beautifully and richly textured surface. Draws you into the painting where you can linger.

William Klein, Gymnast, 1949.   30″x40″  Hackelbury Fine Art, London
An interesting painting with a direct thread from his mentor Leger.

Sent from my iPadArt–December 10, 2012, Blossom Verlinsky, Miami, Florida.

Also, here is a YouTube video of Basel Miami Beach 2012 –http://youtu.be/bR0GPF4n_Ws