This week KDHamptons introduces you to Natasha Schlesinger [above], an award-winning art historian, specializing in the history of fine and decorative arts, and founder of ArtMuse, which provides art aficionados and art novices of all ages with curated art experiences all over the globe. ArtMuse was launched in New York in 2001, and has since spread to Los Angeles, Paris, London, Rome and Florence, offering art tours in a wide range of museums, collections and galleries for adults, children and families. Who could be better to tag along with at the recent Art Basel in Miami than Natasha? Enjoy her NEW KDHamptons Art Basel Diary below:

 

 

 

by Markus Linnenbrink

 

 

 

KDHamptons: Please describe your Art Basel experience this year for our readers?

Natasha Schlesinger: This year I raced to Miami as a last minute decision to see clients and take them around the fairs. I guess I also could not stay away from the action and energy that brings together hundreds of galleries and artists and thousands of collectors, art aficionados or just those who want to partake in the festive atmosphere of the city that first week of December.  In three days it is logistically  impossible to actually see more than two dozen art fairs, museum exhibitions and pop-up happenings all over town.

 

 

 

by Urs Fischer

 

 

KDHamptons: With so many events happening, how do you plot out your schedule for the week?

Natasha: Here is a selection of what I was able to do and see…

There was of course the requisite visit to the main fair: Art Basel, which takes hours to navigate and explore.  Some of the highlights there include an immersive work by Urs Fischer called Little Rain at Sadie Coles composed of hundreds of yellow and green painted plaster rain drops suspended in mid air and giving an impression that one had just entered a surrealist painting. Another ethereal work was by Pae White. I hovered over a suspended metallic sculpture made up of hundreds of shiny and reflective elements like a low lying silver cloud,  at Kaufmann Repetto.  And probably the most impressive work of the fair for me was Teresita Fernandez’s Golden (Obsidian Double) presented as part of the Kabinet works by Lehman Maupin.

 

 

 

by Pae White

 

 

 

by Chul-hyun Ahn

 

 

I moved on to the satelite fairs including Nada, Pulse, Art Miami, Context and Untitled.  At Pulse, several galleries stood out for me. I love that Blair Voltz [below] of Voltz Clarke from New York was showing here for the first time and brought along two artists: Laura Masquera whose colorful abstract works perfectly reflect the sunny climate of Miami and the beautifully sculpted ceramic flowers by Bradley Sabin which would turn any environment into a garden.  Bryce Wolkowitz had an impressive booth there and showed several of my favorite artists including Jose Parla (whose exhibition just opened at the High Museum in Atlanta this week) and Jim Cambell, probably one of the most talented LED video artists around.

 

 

Natasha with art dealer and Sag Harbor resident, Blair Voltz

 

 

 

The Voltz Clarke booth

 

 

At Art Miami, I discovered a Korean born, light and space artist, one of whose works was purchased by a client.  Chul Hyun Ahn was highlighted by C. Grimaldis Gallery from Marylan.  I was also taken by the strong abstract compositions of Michael Zelehoski at Mike Weiss Gallery. And at three separate fairs I kept seeing works by one of my recent discoveries: Markus Linnenbrink.  Love his layered and drilled through multi-colored works.  Brilliant both in technique and appeal!  Several were shown by Max Estrella from Madrid at Untitled fair.

 

 

 

Mirror drawing by Chul-hyun Ahn

 

 

 

KDHamptons: Did you attend Art Basel with any artists?

Natasha: I was lucky to be invited as a guest of one of my favorite emerging artists: Jessica Lichtenstein who showed in Miami this year at Pulse with gallery Nine5.  Jessica’s
Word sculptures are worlds filled with frolicking playing girls that entice and beckon to join them. [Jessica’s work below]

 

 

 

Jessica Lichtenstein

 

 

 

KDHamptons: What do you love most about this show?

Natasha: I love that it brings such diversity of art styles and forms into one city all at one time. This is really the only place that has such a broad representation of art from the most affordable emerging artists to the most sought after iconic figures. It’s where one encounters art from Brazil, Korea or Nigeria, while of course enjoying the warm, and mostly sunny weather: a great reprieve from the cold of New York.

 

 

 

Sacred Heights by Desire Obtain Cherish

 

 

 

KDHamptons: Did you notice anything diff this year than others?

Natasha: The fairs keep multiplying and expanding, individually and as a whole. There are simply more people who want to participate and display and to be part of this happening. I have just seen an exponential growth of everything in Miami. It can get a bit overwhelming as there are so many competing shows and events going on simultaneously. One must always come up with a plan just to keep it under control.

 

 

 

by Markus Linnenbrink

 

 

KDHamptons: Did you discover a new favorite artist and why?

Natasha: I am obsessed with the works of Desire Obtain Cherish, who showed at Art Miami with Unix gallery. He is an LA artist who started his career appropriating bill boards and has evolved to produce these fabulous pieces that are gorgeous to look at it but biting in their intent. You can’t help but to be mesmerized by his genius in uniting color, materials and quality of execution with content that reflects upon our own cultural obsessions and sins. One of my favorites series is his pill portraits where he creates portraits of celebrated cultural figures, whose deaths were caused by drugs, out of pills. He showed one of Coco Channel at Art Miami. And another work I am completely in love with is called Sacred Heights and looks like a cardiogram though it’s actually black elongated stiletto heels in a row made out of actual leather. Brilliant!

 

 

 

by Michael Zelehoski

 

 

KDHamptons: What was the most exciting event of the week?

Natasha: I was privileged to be invited by the editor in chief of Art Basel magazine to the Women in Arts luncheon celebrating several significant women: Teresita Fernandez and Lynda Benglis among them were honored. It was amazing to see so many fascinating and influential women gathered under one roof, exchanging ideas and of course business cards.

 

 

by Jose Parla at Bryce Wolkowitz

 

 

 

by Desire Obtain Cherish

 

 

 

More about ArtMuse: Curated art experiences in any city can be coordinated through the ArtMuse headquarters in New York. ArtMuse works with the best and brightest art historians and art educators in New York, Los Angeles and abroad. The experiences range in artistic style, era and medium. They cover ancient and classical art to modern art, pop art to impressionism, surrealism to abstract expressionism, painting to sculpture, photography to drawings and everything in between. Private tours can be arranged for any museum, gallery, collection or specific exhibition. Tours are also offered in series that span an eight-month period and allow attendees to experience many different museums, galleries, and works and styles of art. ArtMuse art experiences also make great holiday gifts and can be purchased as single tours or a series of tours.

 

**For more information please go to: www.artmuseny.com ; 646-785-9759