At the moment, Miami is all about Art. People have come in from all over the world for Art Basel, a huge exhibition/trade show for all kinds of big-A Art. It's all anyone is talking about.

Well, all anyone is talking about in the media, anyway. It is a refreshing change from Miami news being all about corruption, hurricanes, and the UM administration being a bunch of toadies to the Athletics Department, I admit, but it rings a bit hollow. Outside of the media, no-one I know seems to be aware the Miami is now one of the centers of the Art world. Of course I do travel in rather Philistine circles, being a Philistine myself.

I should come clean: I know almost nothing about Art. I enjoy going to museums, I like reading about artists, and I spend altogether too much money getting prints framed, but I have no working knowledge of the esoteric world of Fine Art. When I see something, it either moves me or it doesn't; I can't even claim I know what I like beyond mentioning specific artists (Ivan Albright, Dave McKean, Rene Magritte, Frans Masereel), Henry Darger are a few).

So while it would be fascinating to do a little people-watching at the approximately 10,000 parties and galleries and shows this weekend, it would all feel a little too Dian Fossey. But there's always next year. My hope is that through reading Critical Miami and Miami Metblog coverage enough Art appreciation will rub off to make next year's event less daunting.