If you're ever in the Miami, Florida area around this time of year, I encourage you schedule your visit during Art Week to see some of the greatest pieces of the 20th and 21st centuries - it truly is an event for all art enthusiasts.
Last week, I attended the 20th edition of Art Basel, which is the sister event to Art Basel held each June in Basel, Switzerland. This year, Art Basel Miami showcased more than 280 prominent galleries taking part from 38 different countries, including North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. I also viewed pieces at the Rubell Museum, owned by longtime collectors and Miami residents, Don and Mera Rubell. In addition, I enjoyed fun dinners, parties, and time with good friends. It was a packed couple of days, but it's well-worth the trip every year.
Here are some photos.
I hope you saw this image on my Instagram @MarthaStewart48. I took it during our drive to the airport. It was such a gorgeous sight to see these hues of red and orange. It is due to a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering, when most of the light of shorter wavelengths – the blue, violet, and green – are scattered away multiple times, leaving only lights of longer wavelength – the red, orange, and yellow.
Once we arrived, we enjoyed lunch at Mandolin Aegean Bistro, owned by husband and wife team Ahmet Erkaya and Anastasia Koutsioukis. The restaurant opened in 2009 and has been serving delicious meals ever since.
There were so many delicious dishes on the menu – we ordered several to share. This is whole mediterranean sea bass grilled with extra-virgin Aegean olive oil, lemon, and oregano.
This is stuffed tomato and pepper with ground beef, rice, and feta cheese.
We also ordered the chicken with orzo pilaf and maroulosalata, which is a traditional Greek lettuce salad.
And this is the beef souvlaki with house cut fries. It was served with a grilled pita.
That first night, we kicked-off Miami Art Week at the Rubell Museum. The space includes 40 galleries, a performance space, an art research library, a bookstore, and a restaurant. (Photo by Deitch Pham LLC for Bank of America)
Here I am with my dear friend and banker, Jane Heller. (Photo by Deitch Pham LLC for Bank of America)
My friend and longtime publicist, Susan Magrino is here with Katy Knox, the President of Bank of America Private Bank. Katy hosted the event of cocktails and light bites held at the museum’s restaurant, Leku. (Photo by Deitch Pham LLC for Bank of America)
There was a delicious raw bar, which included these oysters – one of my favorite foods. (Photo by Deitch Pham LLC for Bank of America)
There was also an Iberico Jamon station. (Photo by Deitch Pham LLC for Bank of America)
And these are some of the canapés which were pased around – beet tartare. (Photo by Deitch Pham LLC for Bank of America)
We also toured some of the exhibits at the Rubell Museum. At the entrance was Yayoi Kusama’s Narcissus Garden, 1966. This installation includes 700 stainless-steel spheres. (Photo by Deitch Pham LLC for Bank of America)
This is by artist Keith Haring – Untitled, 1982, Acrylic on vinyl tarpaulin, measuring 180 by 180 inches. (Photo by Deitch Pham LLC for Bank of America)
This is the “Statue of Liberty” also by Keith Haring and LA II, 1980 made with felt-tip pen and Dayglo on fiberglass. (Photo by Deitch Pham LLC for Bank of America)
Here’s another of Keith Haring’s iconic works. This one is Untitled, 1981, Acrylic on vellum, measuring 42 by 54 inches. (Photo by Deitch Pham LLC for Bank of America)
Keith Haring also made these lithograph posters of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley, 1981. (Photo by Deitch Pham LLC for Bank of America)
This work is by Alexandre Diop. He uses discarded objects to create his pieces focusing on sociopolitical, cultural and gender issues. This is “L’Incroyable Traversée d’Abdoulaye Le Grand, Troisième de la Lignée” – The Incredible Crossing of Abdoulaye the Great, Third in Line to the Throne, 2022
mixed media on wood
triptych. (Photo by Deitch Pham LLC for Bank of America)
For dinner, I went to one of my favorite Miami stops – Joe’s Stone Crab restaurant. It is the place to go for this deep sea delicacy. Be sure to see more of my photos on my Instagram at @MarthaStewart48.
The next day we attended the exhibits at Art Basel. Art Basel is a for-profit, privately owned and managed, international art fair staged annually in Miami Beach, Florida; Basel, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. Art Basel works with the host city’s local institutions to help grow and develop its art programs. One of the highlights was María José Arjona’s performance installation “Chair.” It shows a human body floating from above, suspended in the air by cables sitting horizontally in a chair.
This is Jay Jopling, an English art dealer, gallerist, and the founder of the gallery, White Cube. Here he is standing in front of a really interesting and exquisite work of art – Untitled by David Hammons, 2014. It’s a Federal mirror covered in scrim. Reminds me of all the Federal mirrors I have in my home, except mine are never covered with anything.
Susan took this photo of me in front of artist Jeff Koons’ giant Bowl of Eggs from his acclaimed “Celebration’”series. It was on display as part of White Cube’s ‘Salon’ Collection. This piece has a $7.5 million price tag. I wonder if it sold.
This work is by another one of my favorite contemporary artists, Donald Judd. The late Donald Judd (1928-1994), was an American artist best known for his contributions to the Minimalist movement. He focused his art on color, form, industrial materials, and space. He believed that the placement of a piece of art was just as important as the art itself.
At Design Miami, we saw this interesting piece called Fantasy Meets When Moments Collide Fountain by Audrey Large The Netherlands, 2022.
Artist Mark Grattan created this lush bedroom scene in soft lavender tones against the hard edge chrome surfaces.
We all admired this installation from Jason Jacques Gallery featuring Moss Children by Kim Simonsson and a scaffolding set up by Urban Umbrella. The green epoxy-covered and flocked clay figures are positioned atop, beneath, besides, and around the scaffolding.
This piece won the Design Miami award for Best Contemporary Work. It is Max Lamb‘s Gold Cleft Chairs gilded in gold and silver.
Here is Susan with Silvia Cubina, Executive Director and Chief Curator at The Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach. (Photo by Deitch Pham LLC for Bank of America)
And here I am with Mrs. Trudy Cejas. On my last night in Miami, we attended a Bank of America reception at the home of US Ambassador Paul Cejas and his lovely wife Trudy. It was a busy two days, but we enjoyed every moment. Be sure to attend Art Week in Miami next year – you’ll love it. (Photo by Deitch Pham LLC for Bank of America)
The handsome Friesians and Fell pony here at my Bedford, New York farm are all ready for winter.
My horses spend most of their time outside in their paddocks - running, rolling, and grazing. Now that colder weather has arrived here in the Northeast, it’s important that they all have well-fitted turnout blankets to keep them warm and dry. My stable manager, Helen Peparo, and I use the Rhino® Hexstop Plus Turnout Rugs from Horseware Ireland, a company based in Dundalk that focuses on making breathable equine covers that don’t leak, rip, or slip. I've been using products from Horseware Ireland for years and am so please with how they fit and protect the horses from the cold.
These turnout blankets are very lightweight and are easy to fold and keep in front of each horse’s stall.
Before the cold weather sets in and while temperatures remain above 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the horses are fine without any blankets or rugs. What they enjoy most is being outdoors where they are free to exercise and graze.
Once overnight temperatures dip into the low 30s, I prefer to dress all the Friesians and my Fell pony in appropriate and warm turnout rugs. These Rhino® Hexstop Plus with Vari-Layer Turnout rugs are cut from the strongest and most durable turnout material on the market – ballistic nylon. And, they come in this nice gray color. Here’s Helen putting one of the rugs on Bond.
These rugs come in a variety of sizes and each of the horses in my stable is measured for precise fitting.
The Rhino® Hexstop Plus Turnout with Vari-Layer technology is also completely waterproof and very breathable and has an anti-static and anti-bacterial lining.
In the rear, the rug has a strap that, along with properly positioned darts, allow for a secure fit without the use of leg straps.
And these rugs come with wide back tail flaps for more protection.
Helen secures the rug underneath, where there are three cross surcingles. These adjustable straps keep the cover in place.
Here are all three straps secured, giving the horse ample underside coverage with a full range of motion.
The extra strong stitching all around the blanket gives it a nice finished look.
These blankets are outfitted with good leg room for smooth, easy walking. Here’s Bond showing off his new turnout rug.
In the front, every rug comes with nickel-plated bolt snap hooks – all the closures are durable and easy to use. The sure-fit neck design V-front closure gives the horse freedom of movement, especially when lowering its head to graze.
The blanket includes reflective strips in the front and back, so they’re easy to see in their paddocks during night checks.
And, these rugs come with an optional, easy-to-remove hood for neck coverage.
The velcro closures are extremely strong and keep the hood in place.
Helen tries it on for size. Rinze, the patriach of my stable, doesn’t seem to mind at all.
These rugs are so easy to drape over the horse and secure. It takes less than 15-minutes to get the equines ready to go out into their paddock.
The hood attaches from the front and the sides to prevent any slipping.
On this day, the horses didn’t need hoods. Although it is quite rainy, the blankets keep them all very dry and warm.
And here's a brief video showing how comfortable the horses are with their rugs - they can run and play in them without any restrictions.
It's that time of year again when one's calendar is filled with holiday parties. If you're hosting a gathering, be sure to check out my collections for great decorating ideas.
This year, I am excited to share lots of holiday decorations at Amazon, Target, Macy's, Wayfair, Sam's Club, and of course our own Martha.com. I offer trees, garlands, ornaments, wreaths, and a lot of holiday themed candles, serving pieces, festive plates, tablecloths, and napkins. I also have cheerful and fun bedding for all your out-of-town guests. There's still time to get lots of products for your home this holiday season.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
Earlier this week, I shared images of my Champagne Collection on Martha.com. This collection has several coordinating pieces that look wonderful in any home – a champagne wreath, garland, ornaments and this shimmering tree.
For something more traditional, my Martha Stewart Globe Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree with energy efficient globe lights and memory wire branches is so life-like. It can be put up in minutes. It’s available from my collection on Amazon.
My Jeweled Snowflake Ornaments from Martha.com glisten so beautifully on the tree. These come in sets of six in both silver and gold and are bedazzled with bead and rhinestone details, so every angle is shimmering and reflective.
If you like pops of red color on your holiday tree, get my Martha Stewart Holiday Pointy Ball Ornament Set available at Target. These ornaments are made of glass and include loop strings for easy hanging.
And don’t forget the topper. This is my Jeweled Snowflake Tree Topper in silver. It also comes in gold. Measuring approximately 12-inches by 17-inches, the glamorous glisten of the jewels can be seen and admired on many sizes of trees, or part of a tabletop arrangement.
Everyone loves holiday lights. This is my Martha Stewart LED Beaded Swag Garland Silver Light Strand from Amazon. This string of lights has a timer and measures 36-inches long. It also includes six clear energy efficient LED lights that provide a bright and ambient glow.
But if you’re looking for classic, here’s my Faux Pine Cone & Ornament 13-inch Wreath. Glittering ornaments and frosted pine cones are paired to create a highly textural wreath with festive charm inside and out.
At Wayfair, find my Plaid Square Throw Pillow. Designed and crafted in 100-percent cotton, this reindeer pillow with print and embroidered details will delight all who visit.
My Flameless Candles have become so popular – I love them too. Here are my Flameless Tree Candles in green with white finishes. These candles also come in white with gold finishes. Both styles are available on Martha.com.
And here are my candles used as a centerpiece. The plastic flames flicker and shine with a realistic warmth and brightness, and is easily operated with a remote, also included. Also on the table is my Hillington 12-Piece Dinnerware Set. It is comprised of four 10.8-inch dinner plates, four 9-inch dessert plates, and four 6.5-inch cereal bowls, each made from fine ceramic with a high-gloss finish. For flatware, check out my Brescia Set. Everything is on Martha.com.
My Holiday Collection at Macy’s always includes lots of decorative pieces in fun colors and styles. Choose from dinnerware, serving accessories, and table linens in red and green and gold-tone accents.
Also exclusively at Macy’s, my Dear Santa Holiday Kitchen Essentials. These fun and functional serving dishes can hold various treats or be given as gifts.
It’s all in the details. At Martha.com, I offer everything you need for your holiday table including these Candy Cane Place Cards. They come in sets of 12 and each one measures 4.4-inches by 9.8-inches.
And here is my Martha Stewart LED 30-inch Shooting Star available at Martha.com. I love these shooting stars and hang one on every building at my farm during the holidays. This one is on the side of my Carriage House and can be seen from across the pastures. It looks wonderful inside or out. One can never have too many decorations – please take a look at all my holiday collections this weekend – there’s something for everyone.
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