Art Basel Must-Sees

Money can’t buy you love, but it can sure buy you a whole lot of art. That’s topmost on collectors’ minds this week as they congregate for the 41st annual Art Basel extravaganza in Switzerland. The main attraction (along with a slew of ancillary fairs) provides a non-stop marathon of parties, champagne, viewing and, of course, art shopping. Don’t expect this year’s installment to be slowed down by trivial things like the economic climate; the itinerary is looking as packed as ever. Highlights include tomorrow night’s VIP preview, which, if you can score a ticket, grants you first dibs on blue-chip pieces, like Warhol’s iconic Self-Portrait. But you’ll have to bid fast, as you’ll likely be up against celebrity collectors such as Jay-Z, Beyoncé and James Franco, along with less photogenic art-world denizens. This year also features Design Miami, which is making a cross-Atlantic trip to bring its slick wares and more affordable trinkets (we’re loving Do You Read Me?, a bookstore that features an extensive array of international publications). And of course, if it all proves too much, we recommend ducking out for a quiet lunch at Chez Donati, where astronomically priced entrees will seem like a bargain compared to your latest acquisition.

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