Basel, September 30, 2021 - Design Miami/ Basel concluded its fifteenth edition last week with 26 galleries, 14 Curios and 5 Design at Large exhibitions. Preview day attendance on Monday 20 September almost matched pre-pandemic record numbers, showing renewed support for the return to in-person events after a short hiatus in 2020.

Jennifer Roberts, CEO of Design Miami/ said: “Last week we hosted a reunion of the world’s leading galleries, collectors, designers and architects after too long apart. The fair was as active and engaged as ever, with top of market sales, institutional acquisitions and much anticipation for the Miami, Shanghai and Doha fairs. We couldn’t be happier with the response and feel energized by the strength of the collectible design market”.

Francois Laffanour of LAFFANOUR-Galerie Downtown said: “After months of waiting, Design Miami Basel is a ray of light for galleries. Although American collectors were not as present as before, sales were good and established references including Perriand and Prouvé furniture was greatly appreciated by our clients. The ground floor installation with Fujimoto was perhaps the most beautiful and poetic thing that I have ever seen at Basel. This fair is evidently a great moment for our profession”.

Designer Mathieu Lehanneur said: “There are people and places that we miss when we stay away for too long, Design Miami/ is one of them. It was a great pleasure to see our friends and collectors again and to mark this special occasion I didn’t come alone, I brought the entire world with me! In Basel I unveiled a new collection that embodies and represents the worldwide population: "State of the World". For a new state of mind”.

Curated by Curatorial Director, Aric Chen, this year’s Design Miami/ Basel explored the thematic of Human Nature, exploring the evolving relationship between humans, nature--and human nature. Many of the galleries and partners responded to the theme, exploring relationships with new materials, technology and our connections with the people around us. A standout for visitors was Shy Synchrony by DRIFT, presented by Design Miami/ and Superblue in downstairs Hall 1.0 - the entrance to Design Miami/ Basel. This immersive, multi-sensory work was inspired by the movement of plants as they respond to the sun and the moon - a process known as ‘nyctinasty’ - and became a place of calm and reflection.

Presented in hybrid format for the first time, objects from the showfloor were available to view and shop online. Visitors could also experience a virtual 3D tour of the fair, powered by Matterport, as well as curated tours highlighting standout works from the galleries. Design Miami/ Basel 2021 also incorporated DM/BX, Design Miami’s newly launched online design destination featuring one-of-a-kind pieces, limited-edition designs and newly released works by celebrated and emerging designers. Design Miami/ Basel featured a dedicated booth with work by designers Laura Sattin and Diego Faivre that could be seen and shopped both online and in-person at the fair. NOTABLE SALES/

At Paris gallery Patrick Seguin, major pieces sold including as a pair of Visiteur armchairs (ca. 1952) by Jean Prouvé and a Flaque coffee table by Jean Royère (ca. 1959). Works by The Lalanne were also popular, at Galerie Mitterrand a range of pieces priced between €50,000 and €2 million sold during the fair. New York’s Thomsen Gallery sold a number of rare post-war Japanese bamboo baskets and ceramics by Sueharu Fukami. Following acclaimed international exhibitions of her work over the past 18-months, Charlotte Perriand’s work once again proved popular amongst collectors with LAFFANOUR-Galerie Downtown selling a number of pieces by the French designer to private collectors. Amongst contemporary works, best in show winner, Ammonoid Gamma by Misha Kahn sold at Friedman Benda.