Art Basel Miami Beach 2021: Highlights and Lowlights

After a pandemic-induced hiatus, Art Basel Miami Beach returned for a 2021 edition marked by environmental art, diversity, and NFT proliferation. Refik Anadol's AI-generated 'Machine Hallucinations — Coral Dreams' was installed at the Faena Hotel, while Carlos Betancourt's inflatable iceberg 'What Lies Beneath: Tipping Point' floated in the hotel pool. Es Devlin created 'Five Echoes' for Chanel N°5's centenary, and Abraham Cruzvillegas installed 'Agua Viva' with over 1,000 plants outside The Bass. The fair featured increased representation of Black, Latinx, and Indigenous artists. The Flagler Street Festival, organized by Mana Public Arts and Urban Impact Lab, brought street art and projections to Downtown Miami. The Rubell Museum expanded its residency program to include Otis Kwame Kye Quaicoe and Kennedy Yanko, alongside Genesis Tramaine. Criticisms included Miami's high costs and chaotic atmosphere, the Meridians section losing its identity, a flood of low-quality NFTs, and widespread disregard for COVID-19 precautions.