Exhibitions
Art Basel Miami Beach 2025 opens amid uncertainty and bets on the renewal of the art market
The 23rd edition of Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB), considered the most prestigious contemporary art fair in the Americas and the third most influential in the world, opens its doors this Friday and runs until Sunday. For more than two decades, this event has transformed Miami into an essential epicenter of global art, and this year it arrives marked by the uncertainty affecting both the art market and the international cultural landscape.
Work by Stefan Winckelmann.
As an extension of the historic Basel art fair, ABMB has solidified Miami Beach as one of the most dynamic cultural hubs in the Western Hemisphere. Its pavilions bring together some of the world's most important galleries, showcasing works by established artists alongside emerging talents. The fair also serves as a trendsetter: prices, collector movements, and aesthetic choices find a prime platform here to become visible.
This edition features 283 galleries from 43 countries, including 48 newcomers, many of whom were invited following the withdrawal of renowned exhibitors. The main sector, Galleries, arrives in a complex context, marked by the closure of galleries large and small, and by the financial fragility of others that continue to operate with difficulty.
Work by Maurizio Cattelan.
The big question before the fair was whether the art market had finally emerged from the recession of the past three years. Recent signs have been mixed: November auctions in New York reached $2.2 billion, and European fairs in October showed encouraging results. However, the spectacular sale of Leonard Lauder's collection raises doubts about whether it represents an isolated case or the beginning of a broader recovery.
Despite this scenario, the start of the fair generated an atmosphere of optimism. Influential gallerist Larry Gagosi highlighted the energy of the first day: “We’ve started off very strong. I’m happy to see that the momentum from the November auction season in New York is carrying over to the art fairs,” he stated in a press release.
Art Basel Miami Beach, as it does every year, unveils an ambitious program. Its sections—Galleries, which brings together the main exhibitors; Nova, dedicated to recent works; Positions, focused on emerging artists; and Survey, centered on historical projects—reflect the breadth and diversity of contemporary art. These are complemented by talks, public interventions, and a range of activities that transform Miami into a major creative hub. Museums, institutions, and parallel fairs also become active during these days, contributing to the visibility of the local cultural scene.
Artwork by Cisco Merel.
In this context, the presence of Panamanian artist Cisco Merel stands out as one of the most significant offerings of the 2025 edition. Represented by the Zielinsky Gallery, Merel will present his solo exhibition, "The Panamanians of Miami Park," in the Positions section, a space dedicated to emerging artists with high-impact proposals. The exhibition will be open from December 5 to 7, 2025.
Born in Panama City in 1981 to a Chinese-Afro-Panamanian family, Merel has developed a visual language based on abstraction, through which he addresses themes related to architecture, social contrasts, collective memory, and folk art. His work stands out for its ability to combine formal precision and cultural sensitivity, building bridges between his local context and the dynamics of international contemporary art.
