Art Basel Miami Beach is renowned as a pivotal event in the global art world, and its *Meridians* sector is set to redefine audience expectations this December. For 2024, the spotlight is on curator Yasmil Raymond, who steps into her first art fair curatorship with an invigorating vision rooted in storytelling, transformation, and human connection. Bringing her wealth of experience from positions at MoMA, the Walker Art Center, and as current rector of the Städelschule in Frankfurt, Raymond approaches Meridians with the intent to break traditional boundaries. Her design—a fluid, *agora*-inspired space devoid of rigid walls—creates an open arena for artistic ambition to meet collective engagement.
The result is a sector devoted to themes of metamorphosis, movement, and empowerment, where monumental works transcend scale to spark dialogue and introspection. Meridians 2024 isn’t merely about viewing art; it’s about experiencing art in a way that feels both intimate and transformative.
Anchored in the idea of transformation, this year’s curatorial selections highlight works that seamlessly weave personal narratives with broader socio-cultural and environmental commentary. Among these is **Lee ShinJa’s “Dawn”**, presented by Tina Kim Gallery. The 93-year-old South Korean artist wields fiber as her medium, using delicate yarn to create pieces as intricate as brushstrokes. Melding memories of war with resilience, her tapestries are not just art—they’re historical testimonies. A pioneering figure in the Fiber Arts Department at Duksung Women’s University in Seoul, Lee’s inclusion reflects Raymond’s commitment to celebrating artists at their peak.
In contrast, **Yuichi Hirako’s “Seeding”** utilizes carved wood to explore the impact of climate-induced migrations. The sculpture portrays a family encircled by cherished belongings, capturing both the innocence of childlike forms and the gravitas of global instability. It’s a poignant reflection of shared anxieties in an era marked by upheaval.
Meridians has always encouraged innovation, and the 2024 edition amplifies this ethos through groundbreaking material usage. Greek artist **Antonis Donef** presents a sprawling 12-meter-long collage made from salvaged books and encyclopedias—a painstaking, six-year endeavor that transforms forgotten texts into intricate ink drawings. His large-format “miniature” is a labyrinth of layered stories, languages, and histories, embodying what Donef calls a “dialogue with time.”
Meanwhile, Peruvian artist **Roberto Huarcaya** turns to nature’s volatility in **“Amazogramas.”** Using the Amazon rainforest itself as his studio, Huarcaya captures the monumental trees through photograms exposed to lightning flashes during storms. His innovative technique captures the untamed essence of the rainforest while embodying the artist’s drive to push photographic boundaries. “The Amazon refused to be captured by traditional photography,” Huarcaya explained, “so I had to innovate.”
The Meridians sector is distinctly attuned to reclaiming narratives and empowering voices often sidelined in history. **Rachel Feinstein’s “Metal Storm”**, presented by Gagosian, reinvents the witch, a figure long associated with fear and persecution, into a symbol of feminine resilience. Drawing inspiration from Hans Baldung Grien’s 16th-century etchings, Feinstein crafts commanding sculptures that celebrate the strength and vitality of women, transforming past stigmas into triumphant icons.
Similarly, the Argentine duo **Chiachio & Giannone** use textiles to celebrate queer visibility and inclusivity. In **“La Famille dans la Joyeuse Verdure”**, they fuse embroidery with storytelling, depicting an idyllic family surrounded by verdant landscapes. By placing queer family dynamics in universal, timeless settings, their work stands as a joyful testament to love and acceptance.
At its core, the 2024 Meridians sector is a reimagination—not just of monumental art, but of how viewers engage with it. **Alice Aycock’s “Goya”**, for instance, merges human ambition with the chaos of natural forces, its tornado-like structure inviting reflection on the turbulence that underpins progress. Raymond’s open layout facilitates not only easier access to such awe-inspiring pieces but also fosters connections among visitors, enabling shared moments of discovery.
For Raymond, art is not merely a product but a platform for dialogue. “Art should inspire transformation and collective reflection,” she explains, and every aspect of her curatorial debut embodies this ethos. By allowing stories, histories, and emotions to interweave across boundaries of scale and medium, Meridians 2024 sends a powerful message: art should not only astonish—it should resonate, provoke, and connect.
As the curtains rise on this year’s Art Basel Miami Beach, Meridians doesn’t just break the mold; it redefines the framework altogether. Visitors will leave with much more than awe—they’ll carry with them a renewed sense of art’s ability to bridge worlds, challenge norms, and spark meaningful conversations. Monumental in every sense of the word, this is a sector that proves transformation is not just a theme but the lifeblood of contemporary art.
