Since the first official game played in a YMCA gymnasium in 1892, basketball has evolved from a sport of rough play and rowdy crowds to a cultural phenomenon. Fast forward to 2010 and it’s abundantly clear that this popular sport enjoys a broad reach into every aspect of contemporary life—beyond streetball, hoop dreams and the pro leagues and into the realm of magic and hi-art.
To honor the game, the NBA, the top professional basketball league in the world is sponsoring some of today’s hottest graffiti and street artists in an explosive exhibition during Art Basel Miami Beach this December. Urban culture has always had a love affair with the game of basketball and a select group of artists will be tapped to meticulously reinterpret the most powerful symbols of the game, the basketball and backboard. The result will be a unique impression of these two dynamic art forms.
Presented by Public Works Department and curated by Billi Kid and James & Karla Murray, the Art of Basketball will select a group of creative individuals that will develop literal works of art directly onto basketballs and backboards. These unique canvases will be donated by the NBA and will be given to each artist to produce works in all manner of context and variable skill. The considered contributors will represent some of the best artists making waves in the graffiti and street art community as well as the media at large.
Featuring Ahol Sniffs Glue, Atomik & Sand One, Billi Kid, Blanco, Celso, Cern, Chillski, Chris Stain, Cope2, Crome, Daniel Fila, Dash, David Cooper, Ewok One 5MH, Gaia, James and Karla Murray, Joe Iurato, J. Robles, Junk, Miguel Paredes, NohJColey, Peru Ana Ana Peru, Sero, Skewville, Shiro, Sofia Maldonado, The Dude Company, Ticky VS UWP, UR New York, Zame and 131 Projects.
Art Basel Miami, held between December lst, and 5th is the most important art fair and cultural happening held annually in the United States. The convergence upon Miami of international galleries, collectors, curators, and emerging artists, is the ideal setting for the Art of Basketball exhibition and special events.
Our tentative schedule of events:
Wednesday December lst
2:00 - 6:00 pm Press and Media Preview
Thursday December 2nd
10:00 am - 6:00 pm Exhibition Open to the Public
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Artist Reception
10:00 pm Post Opening Party at The Vagabond
Friday December 3rd
10:00 am - 6:00 pm Exhibition Open to the Public
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm NBA Cares Fundraiser Event – Invitation Only
Saturday December 4th
10:00 am - 6:00 pm Exhibition Open to the Public
10:00 am - 6:00 pm Battle of the Backboards: Live Graffiti Painting
Sunday December 5th
10:00 am - 3:00 pm Exhibition Open to the Public
To honor the game, the NBA, the top professional basketball league in the world is sponsoring some of today’s hottest graffiti and street artists in an explosive exhibition during Art Basel Miami Beach this December. Urban culture has always had a love affair with the game of basketball and a select group of artists will be tapped to meticulously reinterpret the most powerful symbols of the game, the basketball and backboard. The result will be a unique impression of these two dynamic art forms.
Presented by Public Works Department and curated by Billi Kid and James & Karla Murray, the Art of Basketball will select a group of creative individuals that will develop literal works of art directly onto basketballs and backboards. These unique canvases will be donated by the NBA and will be given to each artist to produce works in all manner of context and variable skill. The considered contributors will represent some of the best artists making waves in the graffiti and street art community as well as the media at large.
Featuring Ahol Sniffs Glue, Atomik & Sand One, Billi Kid, Blanco, Celso, Cern, Chillski, Chris Stain, Cope2, Crome, Daniel Fila, Dash, David Cooper, Ewok One 5MH, Gaia, James and Karla Murray, Joe Iurato, J. Robles, Junk, Miguel Paredes, NohJColey, Peru Ana Ana Peru, Sero, Skewville, Shiro, Sofia Maldonado, The Dude Company, Ticky VS UWP, UR New York, Zame and 131 Projects.
Art Basel Miami, held between December lst, and 5th is the most important art fair and cultural happening held annually in the United States. The convergence upon Miami of international galleries, collectors, curators, and emerging artists, is the ideal setting for the Art of Basketball exhibition and special events.
Our tentative schedule of events:
Wednesday December lst
2:00 - 6:00 pm Press and Media Preview
Thursday December 2nd
10:00 am - 6:00 pm Exhibition Open to the Public
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Artist Reception
10:00 pm Post Opening Party at The Vagabond
Friday December 3rd
10:00 am - 6:00 pm Exhibition Open to the Public
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm NBA Cares Fundraiser Event – Invitation Only
Saturday December 4th
10:00 am - 6:00 pm Exhibition Open to the Public
10:00 am - 6:00 pm Battle of the Backboards: Live Graffiti Painting
Sunday December 5th
10:00 am - 3:00 pm Exhibition Open to the Public
