photos_kate pryslak. words_alex goldklang.
December 5, 2011.
Can we just take a minute to glee with excitement because we absolutely ADORE this time of year? Miami owns Art Basel. It wakes up this city by revealing some of the coolest venues, most original events and some of the most beautiful Miami street style. As if we needed another reason to brag about going to school in Miami…
The gallery opening for fashion photographer John Jansheski happened Saturday night at Star Island Studio on NW 25 St., right in the middle of the Art Basel action. When Jansheski arrived, an instant UMiamiMode bond occurred as the first thing we saw was homage to “the U”—a paint-splattered University of Miami hat hanging at the entrance.
The warm reception for Jansheski’s home away from home led us into an outdoor lounge arranged to showcase one of the first collaborated pieces, a textured American flag. The lounge opened up to an all white gallery that separated the photographs by their styles, ranging from eccentric body painted images to quirky light and shadow works displayed with fluorescent lighting. However, it wasn’t until we stumbled upon Jansheski’s most famous work that we felt pretty special. His unconventional art display of Chris Martin from Coldplay thrilled us by bringing fashion, photography and a good belting high note together with eye popping colors and image distortions.
Incorporating words of wisdom into his showcase, Jansheski listed his perceptions of an artist onto a canvas to make one of the more literal pieces featured in the gallery. Some of our favorites: stay loose, eat the best food, go surfing and skydiving, drink wine and beer and smoke a joint.
As if the gallery didn’t give us enough beauty to ogle over, NYC based jewelry designer Shannon Shiang delivered the promise of exquisite Art Basel street style. In MIA for this high-profile event, Shiang is the owner of two different jewelry lines, Shiang New York, a line based off of sacred symbolism, and Skins and Stones, a tribal line. Embracing the community aspect so important to up-and-coming artists, Shiang came to the event to support Jansheski as a friend and fellow artist.
The jaw-dropping jump suit was designed by Adam Pollina, a Marvel Comics graphic artist turned fashion designer. The illustration featured on the jump suit tells the tale of his fashion company, Juun Saarah. Without question, Shannon was just as stare-worthy as the wall art around her, and dubbed as one of the best dressed of the evening.
When the gallery portion finished up, the celebration and festivities continued as the artistic, the creative and the unique wined and dined at what was rumored as the best party of the evening.
If you weren’t living through the eyes of art this weekend, fear not because downtown is always delivering a unique art experience, also known as Artwalk. Every second Saturday of the month, the galleries open their doors and put on a miniature Art Basel. To our UMiamiMode mafia—get your booties downtown and take advantage of this amazing Miami area before it’s too late and you’re kickin yourself. DO IT!
Don’t say we didn’t tell you twice.