DESIGN MIAMI.BASEL concludes successful 18th edition of flagship Swiss fair
Basel, 17 June 2024 - DESIGN MIAMI.BASEL has concluded its 18th edition at Basel’s Messeplatz, following a successful run across 10-16 June, 2024. This year’s Swiss fair offered rare and unique displays of collectible design from over 25 exhibitors, including 10 debut names across the fair’s gallery, Curio, Design at Large, special projects and satellite programming. Exhibitors recorded particularly strong sales, with gallerists reporting on the strength of the intimate fair format and the international collector base present in Basel.
Jen Roberts (CEO, Design Miami) said: “Fair week in Basel is a key moment for the industry, and last week was no exception. This year’s unique program of significant historical and fresh contemporary works brought energy and a new perspective to our 18th edition in Basel. The result was a strong sales performance from both our established galleries and our impactful list of debut names showing at this year’s fair. There was a deep sense of optimism about the direction of our industry and we look forward to what’s next at our second Paris edition this October.”
KEY SALES.
The fair was met with a positive reception from new and returning visitors across the creative industries and beyond.
The week kicked off with positive early sales. Galerie Meubles et Lumières, winner of the fair’s Best Gallery Presentation award, reported the sale of two hero pieces within its booth very quickly upon opening: the Anemone sofa by Jean-Pierre Laporte, a circular set of seating in a flower bud formation, and the large-scale, structural chandelier, Cassiopée by Max Sauze. Commenting on the success of the gallery’s presentation at the Basel fair, Guilhem Faget, Manager of Galerie Meubles et Lumières said: “It's a great fair for dealers, with knowledgeable clients always eager to explore new pieces and designers. The event's timing alongside Art Basel makes it a key moment”.
First-time exhibitors reported on successful debut exhibitions in Basel. Among the highlights, Pulp Galerie offered a Curio exhibiting key works by Gaetano Pesce - with notable sales including 1980s iconic seating, including Pesce’s instantly recognizable Pratt Chair n°7 (1984), winner of the fair’s Best Historical Design Object award, and Greene Street chair (1987). The Basel fair is defined by its commitment to presenting world-leading, iconic historic design. This was reflected in the gallery’s debut Curio, with Paul Ménacer-Poussin & Paul-Louis Betto, Co-Founders of Pulp Galerie, saying: “Doing a tribute to Pesce was an honor for us, we were really proud to present museum quality pieces by the maestro”.
Another impactful debut presentation came from downtown+, with a Curio offering a combination of contemporary and historic Japanese design. Speaking to her experience as a first time exhibitor, Luna Laffanour, founder of downtown+ said: “We are thrilled with our first participation in DESIGN MIAMI.BASEL. We made lots of interesting new encounters and the fair's format allowed us to take the time to talk with our collectors.” Contemporary debut gallery Objects with Narratives made a noteworthy debut with a solo exhibition of experimental works by Ben Storms, with pieces specially commissioned especially for the fair. Robbe Vandewyngaerde, co-founder of Objects with Narratives, said of the gallery’s debut exhibition at Basel: “DESIGN MIAMI.BASEL offers an intimate and calm setting to meet dedicated and selective collectors from around the world. Together with the sales made on site and ongoing orders, we are on track to make this one of the most successful exhibitions we have participated at”.
Established Design Miami exhibitors also reported on a particularly successful set of sales at this year’s fair. Monaco-based Lebreton noted that the fair offered one of the best sales performances achieved over around a decade of exhibiting, while Marc Benda, co-founder of Friedman Benda, commented on the international presence of collectors, saying: “We were thrilled to see interest and support across the gallery’s program from existing and new clients, both private and institutional from four continents.”
Galerie Mitterrand reported on another successful Basel fair, with a menagerie of key pieces from François-Xavier Lalanne including Petit Bouquetin des Alpes (2000), a patinated bronze Ibex; Palombe I (2006), a patinated zinc and aluminum sculpture of a bird perched atop a pillar; and Nouveaux moutons (Agneau), (1997), a small lamb sculpture formed from epoxystone and bronze. Meanwhile, Japanese craft also proved popular among collectors, with Pierre Marie Giraud selling notable pieces by Takuro Kuwata, Kohei Ukai and Yoshiro Kimura.
Strong sales were also reported by returning exhibitor Ketabi Bourdet Design, observing a strong market for Phillippe Starck pieces, selling key works by the French industrial architect and designer including the Miss Z mannequin (1991), Tom Double mirror (1985) and Roi Egon floor lamp (1985), among others. Another key selling piece from the gallery’s group exhibition was an Elizabeth Garouste console. Created last year, the wrought iron console has a hand painted finish, offering a decorative quality in contrast to the industrial Starck works.
PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS.
Best in Show Awards
This year’s Best of Show award winners were selected by a jury of specialists: Simon Andrews (Advisor), Jeremy Morrison (Advisor) and Lee Mindel (Architect).
- Best Gallery Presentation: Galerie Meubles et Lumières, an installation of 1960s avant-garde French designs set within a dramatic black scenography
- Best Curio Presentation: debut exhibitor Craft x Tech, an exhibition of works by international creators inspired by the craft districts of Japan's Tohoku region
- Best Historical Design Object: Pratt Chair n°7 by Gaetano Pesce at Pulp Galerie, a resin chair that defines the late designer’s playful experimentation
- Best Contemporary Design Object: FIRE OPENS STONE (2022) by Samuel Ross at Friedman Benda, a limited edition bench formed from rough stone and concrete elements borrowed from the visual language of public architecture and play spaces
Remembering Gaetano Pesce
This year’s fair shone a spotlight on the expansive and experimental oeuvre of the late Gaetano Pesce (1939-2024), a celebrated exhibitor and long-time friend of Design Miami. Visitors were greeted in the fair’s entrance hall by a collaborative presentation of Pesce works by Friedman Benda (New York/Los Angeles), Pulp Galerie (Paris) and downtown+ (Paris), including I Feltri' (1987), a majestically playful armchair presented by downtown+, Nobody’s bookcase (2005), a multicolored resin piece with an irregular form and decorous semi-translucency, presented by Pulp Galerie, who also contributed Oh Italy (Spaghetti) lamp (1984), a rare, humorous and highly distinctive object. Commenting on the significance of the tribute, Grela Orihuela (Senior VP of Fairs, Design Miami) said: “We were honored to present notable works by the late Gaetano Pesce, a dear friend of Design Miami, whose relentless commitment to innovation and deep appreciation of materiality will continue to inform the next generation of designers.”
Friedman Benda, Pulp Galerie, and downtown+ honor late design icon, Gaetano Pesce at DESIGN MIAMI.BASEL 2024 (Image credit: Ivan Erofeev for Design Miami)
Friedman Benda, Pulp Galerie, and downtown+ honor late design icon, Gaetano Pesce at DESIGN MIAMI.BASEL 2024 (Image credit: Ivan Erofeev for Design Miami)Design at Large
The Design at Large program returned this year, enlivening the fair with large-scale works that offer moments of ambitious sculpture and conceptual and industrial innovation. Highlights included:
FUTURE FAIRS.
DESIGN MIAMI.PARIS, October 15-20, 2024
Following the successful debut of DESIGN MIAMI.PARIS in October 2023, the French edition will return to L'hôtel de Maisons for its second edition this October. The fair will once again create a dialogue between rare and exceptional contemporary and historic collectible design, within the landscape of the established, international cultural capital. Further details to be announced shortly.
DESIGN MIAMI, December 3-8, 2024
This December will see Design Miami return to its home turf for the flagship Miami Beach edition. The fair will celebrate the best of design culture through immersive exhibitions, special projects and collaborations, creating an international platform to celebrate the best in contemporary and historic collectible design.
NOTES TO EDITORS
DESIGN MIAMI.BASEL Galleries
Angela Weber Möbel (Zurich)
Friedman Benda (New York/Los Angeles)
Galerie Downtown-LAFFANOUR (Paris)
Galerie Eric Philippe (Paris)
Galerie Eva Presenhuber (Zurich)
Galerie Gastou (Paris)
Galerie kreo (Paris)
Galerie Meubles et Lumières (Paris)
Galerie Mitterrand (Paris)
Galerie Patrick Seguin (Paris)
Galerie SCENE OUVERTE (Paris)
Ketabi Bourdet Design (Paris)
Lebreton (Monaco)
MAXIME FLATRY (Paris)
Objects with Narratives (Brussels)
Pierre Marie Giraud (Brussels)
Thomas Fritsch-ARTRIUM (Paris)
Thomsen Gallery (New York)
DESIGN MIAMI.BASEL Curios
193 Gallery (Paris)
Craft x Tech (Tokyo)
downtown+ (Paris)
Karry Berreby (Paris)
Mameluca (Lisbon)
Nick Thomm (Melbourne/Los Angeles)
Nolwa Studio (Hyderabad)
Pulp Galerie (Paris)
Spazio Nobile (Brussels)
DESIGN MIAMI.BASEL Design at Large
Ketabi Bourdet x (Pdowntown+ (Paris)
Marie Piselli (Paris)
Galerie SCENE OUVERTE (Paris)
SPECIAL PROJECT
Friedman Benda (New York/LA), Pulp Galerie (Paris), and downtown+ (Paris) honor late design icon, Gaetano Pesce
SATELLITE PROJECT
Do you read me?! And Kodoji Press x CAPSULE lounge (Berlin)
About Design Miami
Design Miami connects the world through extraordinary collectible design, with live fairs that bring together galleries, designers, brands, experts, collectors, and enthusiasts. Each edition of Design Miami features museum-quality 20th and 21st century furniture, lighting, and objets d’art from the world’s top, expertly vetted galleries, in addition to showcasing immersive design collaborations with celebrated brands. Design Miami’s flagship fairs take place alongside Art Basel in Miami, Florida, each December, in Basel, Switzerland, each June, in Paris, France, each October in conjunction with Paris+ par Art Basel, and now, in Los Angeles in May. Design Miami is also accessible 365-days a year through designmiami.com, a content-rich digital marketplace featuring works from leading galleries and original editorial and video content on Forum Magazine.
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