MIAMI, FLORIDA.- This year, the special sector «Art Positions» is an integrated part of the International Art Show. 20 cutting-edge galleries will be showing in the shipping containers refurbished as exhibition rooms. The Selection Committee admitted 15 new galleries from applications from 13 countries. The selected galleries are from the USA, Spain, France, the Netherlands, England, Germany, Austria and Israel. «Art Positions» offers the participating galleries an interesting and more inexpensive platform where they can present their cutting-edge program. The aesthetics of the container village are redesigned this year. The hospitality area is larger, and there is an improved regulation of visitor flow. Art Basel Miami Beach takes place from 4 to 7 December 2003. 

The promotion of cutting-edge galleries and thus also of cutting-edge art is a longstanding tradition of Art Basel that is being intensified in Miami Beach. On the glorious beach by Collins Park, a few minutes’ walk from the art show in the Miami Beach Convention Center, Art Basel Miami Beach presents 20 cutting-edge galleries in shipping containers refurbished as exhibition rooms. «Art Positions» offers the galleries that are still unable to afford the high cost of participating in international art shows, an attractive and more inexpensive alternative for showing their cutting-edge program. 

The Selection Committee chose 15 new, innovative and promising cutting-edge galleries from 69 applications from 13 countries. They show a broad spectrum of international contemporary art and invite guests to discover new artists. Last year’s exhibitors Air de Paris (Paris), Catherine Bastide (Brussels), Maccarone (New York), Meyer Riegger Galerie (Karlsruhe) and Galerie Fons Welters (Amsterdam) are joined by: Spencer Brownstone Gallery, New York; Kevin Bruk Gallery, Miami; Espacio Mínimo, Madrid; Galerie Frank, Paris; Fusebox, Washington; Annet Gelink Gallery, Amsterdam; IBID Projects, Vilnius, London; Koch und Kesslau, Berlin; Galerie Johann König, Berlin; Pierogi, Brooklyn; Gabriela Senn Galerie, Vienna; Sies + Höke Galerie, Duesseldorf; Sommer Contemporary Art, Tel-Aviv; Henry Urbach Architecture, New York; Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects, Los Angeles. 

The refurbishing of standard shipping containers into mobile exhibition rooms was designed by the Basel architects Steinmann & Schmid, which made a name for itself internationally over the years for its intelligent and beautifully shaped buildings. The following prerequisites posed a tricky task to the architects: No changes could be made to the shipping containers. After Art Basel Miami Beach they are returned to their original purpose, i.e. transporting goods. On the other hand, the refurbished shipping containers had to meet the strict safety regulations of the building department and the fire marshal of Miami Beach. The present solution is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The containers are subdivided into «white cubes» using wooden partition walls. The lighting is provided by daylight, as well as from ceiling lamps that can be supplemented by special lamps individually when needed. At night, the containers can be locked up to prevent theft. Electrical connections and a fire extinguisher are standard equipment as well as a handrail on the side of the small ramp by which visitors enter the containers. Each container has a translucent plastic front side with a door. This element can be inscribed with the gallery’s name on the outside and used for shelving on the inside. Air conditioning keeps the temperature in the container at a pleasant level for the gallery owners and their visitors. As a further protection from climatic influences, a silver-colored protective sheet is hung over each container, which also adds to the aesthetically attractive and consistent appeal of the container village. For the second edition of Art Basel Miami Beach, the aesthetics of the container village are being redesigned by Steinmann & Schmid. Thus, the hospitality area is larger, and there is an improved regulation of visitor flow. 

Amidst the 20 shipping containers, the Art Café is being built directly on glorious South Beach, serving both as an information stand and bar, where the exhibitors and visitors of «Art Positions» can obtain refreshments. Every day between 6 and 8, this is where the art public gathers for Happy Hours with music and cocktails. The crew of the Crobar provides hot DJs, Diageo looks after the drinks, and the kiosk is operated by Lyon & Lyon. 

In addition to the «Art Positions» platform, there will be two further special sectors for young art – «Art Nova» and «Art Statements» – where exhibitors can show in the actual heart of the international art show, the Miami Beach Convention Center. «Art Nova» (see «Art Nova» press release) is being launched this year by Art Basel Miami Beach as a new platform giving emerging galleries a more inexpensive chance to show the latest works of their artists. In the «Art Statements» sector (see «Art Statements» press release), galleries are presenting young artists in one-person shows to a large international audience for the first time. Of course, almost all galleries in the «Art Galleries» sector are showing a broad spectrum of international contemporary art. In the «Art Video Lounge», a further satellite of this cultural event, there will be an extensive program of new video work. 

The Selection Committee consists of the following gallery owners: Jane Corkin (Jane Corkin Gallery, Toronto); Dr. Ursula Krinzinger (Galerie Krinzinger, Vienna); Lawrence Luhring (Luhring Augustine, New York); Mary-Anne Martin (Mary-Anne Fine Art, New York); Lucy Mitchell-Innes (Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York); Tim Neuger (neugerriemschneider, Berlin); Shaun Caley Regen (Regen Projects, Los Angeles); Angel Samblancat (Prats/Polígrafa, Barcelona); Frederic Snitzer (Frederic Snitzer Gallery, Miami); Luisa Strina (Galería Luisa Strina, Sao Paulo).