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“Art Basel Miami Beach is a phenomenon,” says Anthony Barzilay Freund, the editor in chief of Art + Auction, annual visitor to ABMB, now in its seventh year. “With 240 galleries exhibiting and seventeen satellites setting up camp around the city, prioritizing can be a daunting task for even the most experienced fairgoers.” Indagare spoke to art insiders, including a Sotheby’s director, gallery owners and museum directors, about their insider tips and tricks.

What’s your strategy for viewing the fair?

“I like to focus on one section at a time. I start with established galleries whose programs I’m familiar with. At ABMB, they are located at both entrances and at the heart of the convention center. I then set out to discover works by lesser-known artists in the Art Nova (Halls A and D) and Super Nova (next to Hall A) sections.” —Muriel Quancard-Johnson, art consultant and owner of Opus Travels

“Start with the mother ship: if you see only ABMB, with its 240 blue-chip dealers and its supplemental programming, including Art Unlimited, Art Nova and Art Positions, you’ll have feasted on more wonderful art and learned more about current trends than in a week’s worth of trolling New York’s Chelsea. Try to wangle your way into the VIP preview on December 3 or the newly introduced additional VIP hour (11 a.m. to noon) on December 4 to get a head-start on the crowds.” —Anthony Barzilay Freund, Art + Auction editor-in-chief

“The first time at the fair, I let myself be drawn wherever I see artwork or clients. I don’t worry about seeing it all because that’s impossible. Then I use the fair map to see where the galleries are that I want to see. During the weekend, if I still have energy and time, I try to be disciplined and go up and down the aisles in a more organized fashion.” —Maria Bonta de la Pezuela, director of Latin American art at Sotheby’s

What are the galleries not to miss?

“I try to see the all the project spaces, as I am most interested in the new work, but I also frequent first-time galleries. At a fair, most gallery owners are present the first and second days, so if you want to meet them, it’s another reason to go early.” —Holly Block, executive director of the Bronx Museum

“I respect most of the galleries exhibiting at Art Basel Miami. Some are curating remarkable booths such as Eva Presenhuber Gallery, Massimo de Carlo Gallery, Deitch Project, The Modern Institute, Anton Kern. Some present outstanding artworks such as Pacewildenstein, Marian Goodman, Gagosian, Paula Cooper, Barbara Glastone, David Zwirner, Hauser and Wirth and Yvon Lambert. There are others that I personally fancy such as Air de Paris, Neugerriemschneider, Daniel Buchholz, Klosterfelde Gallery, Johan Koenig, Friedrich Petzel Gallery, Kurimanzutto, Annet Gelink Gallery, and among the youngest Peres Project, Harris Lieberman Gallery, GB Agency, Zero, Store, Standard. Not to be missed are also the local galleries. Emmanuel Perrotin has a large space in the Wynwood District and Gavlak Project, a West Palm Beach Gallery owned by Sarah Gavlak represents an appealing group of artists. Both galleries also participate in the fair.” —Muriel Quancard-Johnson

What special events are worth seeing?

“Take a look at the lectures and panels, as they are good opportunities to meet the people at the forefront of the art world. Also, Art Positions, the shipping containers on the beach that show emerging artists, is a great place to find new works.” —Maria Bonta de la Pezuela, director of Latin American art at Sotheby’s

Any advice for a first-time visitor?

“Unlike in Basel, in Miami it doesn’t matter if you get a VIP pass. Business happens throughout the fair and the parties are very commercial.” —Douglas Baxter, Pace Wildenstein gallery

“Make time to visit one of Miami’s remarkable private museums, like the Rubell Family Collection or the Margulies Warehouse, or one of the city’s established cultural institutions to get a taste of the city’s unique cultural flavor—and to savor artworks without a credit card in hand.” —Anthony Barzilay Freund

“Get a map of the city to get a sense of where downtown Miami, Wynnwood (which hosts a lot of art events) and the Design District are located. The Urban Art guide offers a good take on what’s happening beyond the fair.” —Terry Reilly, director of the Miami Art Museum

What is your favorite Art Basel MB memory of a past year?

“What comes to mind is the first year – the year that Art Basel Miami Beach wasn’t – which was 2001. It was meant to be its inaugural year but it was postponed to 2002 because of September 11 and the rise in insurance costs. Miami was all set to receive Art Basel, and to have the fair postponed was a bit disappointing. However, the fair organizers still continued with the parallel programming and the Miami collectors still opened their homes. There were parties and events celebrating the fact that Art Basel was coming to Miami the following year. What was so wonderful is that the positive energy and vibe of the fair was already felt by everybody, even without the fair actually taking place.” —Maria Bonta de la Pezuela

“A crashed shipping container by Puerto Rican artists Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla at Art Position. In this section of the fair artists are required to work inside a shipping container displayed on the beach. These containers are used to ship various equipment from Europe for the setting of the fair. Allora and Calzadilla whose work comments on globalization, rather than creating artworks to be exhibited inside the container, smashed the container. —Muriel Quancard-Johnson

What should you ask the dealers?

“Ask the dealers about the artist, his/her career, where he/she studied, where the work has been exhibited, if the artist is already in any important public or private collections. Ask as many questions about the work and the artist as you want. Ask if they’ll ship it for you. Ask if the work has ever been restored or has any condition issues. Ask to have your conservator take a look at it Ask for comparable auction records that will give you an idea of the artist’s market. Remember the galleries are there to sell, and though you may not be in the market for a painting this year, if you love the work you will never forget it….and it may just come back on the market later! Ask, ask, ask!” —Maria Bonta de la Pezuela

Where do you unwind outside the show?

“The ocean. I also like Lincoln Road, which has about two to three blocks of shops and restaurants. Two of my favorite restaurants are Balans, a casual sidewalk café, and right next door, Quattro, which is more formal. I recommend staying near ABMB so you can walk around. Two good hotels are the Delano and the Raleigh the latter has a pleasant garden dining area.” —Charles Cowles, Cowles Gallery

What are you most excited about this year?

“The museum exhibitions by two artists I enjoy, Anri Sala [at the Museum of Contemporary Art] and Chantal Ackerman [at the Miami Art Museum —Muriel Quancard-Johnson

Any other strategies to assure a smooth visit?

“Hire a car and driver so you don’t have to deal with parking and orientating yourself in the city.” —Terry Reilly

“Chose to visit no more than three satellites: one that features galleries whose programming you’ve followed from near or afar, one that focuses on collecting fields in which you’ve got a side interest (Design Miami or Photo Miami, for instance) and one that is simply garnering the best buzz on the street. You’ll hear it, don’t worry.” —Anthony Barzilay Freund

Art Basel Miami Beach runs from December 4-7.

~ REPORTED BY ELENA BOWES AND SIMONE GIRNER