How the Yacht World Made a Splash at Art Basel Miami Beach
Move over New York designers and LA conceptual artists. Step aside fashionistas and Hollywood celebrities. The yachting world floated into Art Basel Miami Beach across multiple platforms this week.
The seminal artistic and design event—which was virtual last year because of Covid—has typically trended towards fashion and the fine arts, but this week saw automakers, aircraft designers and now, yacht builders, claiming spaces in galleries and exhibit halls to show off new designs, or simply be a patron of the arts.
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Sanlorenzo has been sponsoring different artists for the last four years, hosting displays of visual artists at Art Basel in Switzerland since 2017, as well as being the patron of art gatherings in Italy. This week, it became a presence at Art Basel Miami Beach. “Our owners are almost all art collectors,” said Sergio Buttiglieri, Sanlorenzo’s Style Director, giving one reason why the yacht brand decided to become visible in the art world. He also said the sponsorships was an attempt to open up the “closed environment” of the yachting industry, which often does not “appreciate the inclusion of other languages.”
Courtesy Tempest Energy Platform
On Wednesday, Sanlorenzo hosted a work by American artist McArthur Binion called “Cobalto,” which employed Italian blue inks, at the Collector’s Lounge in Miami.
Marco Segato, CEO of Sanlorenzo of the Americas, told Robb Report the yacht builder wanted to feature an American artist at the event. “His painting is also minimalist and conceptual, which is similar to what we do with many of our interior designs,” Segato said, adding that Sanlorenzo is including visual artists more often in its design work.
The builder also sponsored a panel discussion by Flash Art, a contemporary art magazine, during the event.
Courtesy Sanlorenzo Yachts
Tempest Energy Platform debuted its $500,000 jet ski and RIB package yesterday at TheArsenale. Lead designer J. David Weiss said the startup chose Art Basel Miami Beach because it has a “cosmopolitan and international presence.”
At first, showing the Maverick GT jet ski might seem odd at an event devoted to fine arts and fashion, rather than a conventional boat show. But the electric jet ski, which had its futuristic printed engine on display on the side, is so advanced in design and technology that Art Basel was the venue to make a news splash. It was designed as a toy for superyachts and rescue tool for surfers in giant waves.
The Maverick is at the “intersection of luxury, sustainability, and innovation,” said Weiss, which makes Art Basel a good launch point. “We’re eager to have those conversations as we share our vision with the world,” he said.
Courtesy Cigarette Racing
Cigarette Racing, which manufactures performance boats from its headquarters in Opa-Locka, near Miami, also hosted two events called “Boat to Basel.” Last night, artist Alec Monopoly custom-painted the hull of a Cigarette boat, while guest DJs Like Mike and Charly Jordan provided the music, at a hip venue called Maps Backlot.
The company is also sponsoring an auction today of seven NFTs, including a free Cigarette logo for participants. The auction will range from the logo to the top piece of NFT art, a virtual Cigarette 59-foot Tirranna offshore boat, complete with the sounds of six Mercury outboards. It is working with Tokenology.com, who organized the NFTs. A spokesperson said the NFT auction was part of Cigarette’s effort to “breathe new life into the brand,” moving from its a reputation as a performance boat builder to a more forward-looking company.
Most of the auction items will be accompanied by “extra entitlements,” said the spokesperson, to increase bidding. The winning bidder of the virtual Tirranna, for instance, will have a day on a real Tirranna sponsored by the boat builder, while other add-ons include Cigarette’s new line of clothing, which it will be promoting at the event.
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