See Monster

     Although a few years ago South Fork dealers were mostly scarce at Art Miami, this year the four galleries that particpated were some of the busiest booths at the fair. For the past two years, Art Miami has held a sister fair in Southampton in July and galleries here appear to like the company's formula for selling art in a cool tent under a blazing sun.

     Mark Borghi, whose Bridgehampton gallery sells modern and contemporary masters, primarily in the secondary market, said his sales were brisk.

    Fairs on the beach or across from the street made news this year. UNTITLED returned from its premiere last year with twice the size and space. East Hampton's Halsey Mckay gallery was there and Hilary Schaffner said the crowds were consistent as were sales. Many booths took their cue from the tropical sun and had a day-glo color palette.

     Those who did not make it to Art Basel Miami Beach's vernissage on Wedenesday night flocked to the fair on Thursday for its public opening. Long lines at the valet snaked down the street and inside was a constant hum of people, chatter, and the chimes and pings of smart phone communication.

     The fair had an impressive roster of speakers, including afternoon salons with speakers such as conceptual artist Joseph Kosuth with Josh Baer, a long time gallerist and dealer, and installation artist Olafur Eliasson with Klaus Biesenbach, a P.S.

   The UNTITLED fair in Miami Beach had a successful preview on Monday night with a few faces familiar to the South Fork making the scene and making news, according to a press release from the fair.

   The preview was hosted by Marina Abramovic, who is collaborating with Robert Wilson on “The Life and Death of Marina Abramovic” to be presented at the Park Avenue Armory beginning Dec. 12.

     Miami Project, the southern arm of artMRKT Productions, which has brought the artMRKT Hamptons fair to Bridgehampton in July for the past three years, is new in its second year in Miami’s midtown district and reported on Tuesday that it was doing well after its opening.

     Eric Firestone, whose eponymous gallery on Newtown Lane shows local and international artists, is the sole East End dealer with a booth at the fair and appeared to be doing well after the first night of sales.

     The fair said in a press release that the gallery sold two large photographs by Tse

   This is the week lucky artists and dealers fly or drive south to attend the fairs and events of what has become Miami's official art week. The centerpiece is the Art Basel Miami Beach fair in the cavernous convention center, which always features the top artists who live or work here, such as Barbara Kruger, Richard Prince, Eric Fischl, and Cindy Sherman.

   Yet most of the action featuring South Fork galleries and artists happens elsewhere in the satellite fairs and associated events that also take over Miami, turning the city into a one-week, nonstop art factory.