Art Basel Miami Beach Launches Meridians Section for Large-Scale Works

Art Basel Miami Beach has announced Meridians, a new section dedicated to monumental works, installations, and performances, debuting at the 2019 edition from December 5–8. Curated by Magalí Arriola, Meridians will feature around 30 projects from selected galleries, housed in the newly renovated Grand Ballroom of the Miami Beach Convention Center. The 550-square-meter space is directly connected to the main exhibition floor, offering unprecedented opportunities for large-scale presentations. Arriola, an independent curator based in Mexico City, previously served as Lead Curator for Latin America at KADIST, curator at Museo Jumex (2011–2014), Chief Curator at Museo Tamayo Arte Contemporaneo (2009–2011), and is curator of the Mexico Pavilion at the 2019 Venice Biennale. Noah Horowitz, Director Americas for Art Basel, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, noting that the Grand Ballroom's size and proximity to the show floor enable ambitious projects beyond traditional booth limits. Meridians is conceived as a counterpart to Unlimited, the successful large-scale platform at Art Basel in Basel, which runs June 13–16, 2019. The new section addresses a gap for performance and oversized works at the Miami Beach fair, following recent renovations at the convention center.