The Future of Art: Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 and the Tech Revolution
Miami Beach is recognized as a dynamic fairground for technology and innovation, making it an ideal host for the 2024 edition of Art Basel—the globally lauded art initiative at the forefront of contemporary art. Over its decades long history, Art Basel has led the way in spotlighting groundbreaking applications of science and technology in the crea-tion, exhibition, and appreciation of art.
The Art Basel App: an Enhanced Experience for Tech-Forward Visitors
Just in time for the 2024 Miami Beach edition, Art Basel introduces Art Basel Companion and Art Basel Lens, two groundbreaking features within the new Art Basel App. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, these tools harness the power of AI-driven computer vision technology, marking a historic first for Microsoft’s involvement in a global art fair. By combining advanced technology with the world of contemporary art, this partnership sets the stage for a more interactive and personalized visitor experience.
Those exploring Art Basel’s offerings can streamline their experience according to their prefer-ences by using the Art Basel Companion as a digital concierge and guide; prioritizing only the most interesting aspects of the show, based on their user input. Art Basel Lens gives visitors augmented real-time information on exhibited artwork, galleries, and artists, as well as the capability to share their favourites with their social networks. VIPs enjoy additional perks, includ-ing exclusive promotions and offers through the app, ensuring a truly customized and privi-leged journey.
A New Era of Giving: Art Basel’s Digital Philanthropy Platform
Since 2022, Access by Art Basel has transformed the sale of art into a vehicle for philanthropy through its innovative digital platform. Select artwork from Art Basel is made available for ex-clusive purchase on the platform, requiring buyers to add a minimum of 10% of the artwork’s value as a charitable donation. Patrons of Art Basel Miami can direct their contributions to The Miami Foundation or The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Buyers submit purchase requests, and once approved by the gallery, payments are processed online, with proceeds securely distributed between the gallery, charity and designated beneficiaries.
Access is built by Arcual—a blockchain and digital tech company that empowers artists, gallerists, and collectors by facilitating secure transactions, verifying artwork authenticity, and enabling royalty payments—all through cutting-edge tools designed specifically for the art industry.
When Art and Technology Converge
Art and technology have consistently evolved together, each shaping and redefining the other. This dynamic interplay is evident in many works showcased at Art Basel Miami 2024, where innovative artists explore cutting-edge concepts, such as harnessing data mining to fuel their creations.
A standout example is Heart of the Ocean by Grammy Award-winning artist and philanthropist Jewel. This striking seven-foot chrysalis sculpture, crafted from resin and illuminated by LED cables, embodies a seamless fusion of artistic imagination and scientific ingenuity, illustrating the transformative potential of interdisciplinary collaboration.
Through visionary collaborations with NASA, NOAA, Stanford, and UC Berkeley, Jewel’s creation integrates real-time oceanic data—tracking temperature changes, migratory patterns, and wave movements—into a living, evolving artwork. Accompanied by a 12-minute soundscape, the sculpture embodies the ocean’s regenerative spirit and humanity’s profound connection to the natural world. Heart of the Ocean is an invitation to reflect on the beauty and fragility of our oceans while inspiring collective stewardship.
Writer: Jennifer Laoun-Rubenstein
Photo: © Courtesy of Art Basel
