MIAMI, FLA.- Announcing the launch of X Contemporary, a new art fair to debut during Art Basel Miami Beach 2015. Under the direction of Matthew Eck, X Contemporary will focus on presenting exhibitors with a strong program of work by emerging and mid-career artists. The inaugural edition of X Contemporary will take place December 1-6, 2015 with a vernissage for VIP guests and press on December 1st, from 5 to 10 p.m.

The symbol X represents a destination point and an area of intersection, an evocative title for a new breed of art fair that will emphasize a crossover between the visual and performing arts and invite unique music, fashion and brand collaborations. The X Contemporary pavilion will provide a dedicated exhibition space as well as a separate area to facilitate the performance and music aspects of X Contemporary, without interfering with fairgoers’ viewing experience. In addition to the fair’s open hours, there will be a nightly schedule of live events meant to create a destination spot at X Contemporary when fair business hours transition to nightlife.

The strategic launch in Midtown positions X Contemporary just blocks from Art Miami and Context, on the inland side of the Julia Tuttle Causeway, a prime thoroughfare location meant to increase foot traffic and ease for visitors making the connection between Miami Beach and Wynwood.

Eck is also developing an advisory board, to be announced shortly, that will guide the selection of exhibitors and program direction of the inaugural fair, as well as a concierge service dedicated to the customer service experience of its exhibitors. The former co-director of SELECT art fairs in Miami and New York, which closed its final edition in 2014 after going separate ways with business partner Brian Whiteley, Eck is confident that his latest endeavor in Miami will be mutually beneficial to exhibitors and attendees alike, stating:

I see this as a great moment to unite the aspects of creative culture that are increasingly relevant to contemporary art: fashion, performance, music and design. Art doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and X Contemporary aims to present this overlap through dynamic events and collaborations, and within a curated context that prominently features some of the most exciting new galleries and artists today.