Art Basel 2015: 5 Reasons Miami Fair Is One Of The Most Interesting Events Of The Year

You may or may not have heard of Art Basel, an organization that gives galleries an international platform to reach audiences. In addition to Basel, Switzerland and Hong Kong, China, Art Basel exhibitions have made its way to the U.S, calling Miami home since 2003. From its inception, Art Basel has gradually permeated the air of popular culture and mainstream media, making it as trendy as high fashion events and exclusive award shows.

Celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, Drake, Jay-Z and Beyonce have all made appearances at Art Basel Miami, inciting both controversy and curiosity, making the art fair an epicenter for creative expression and experimentation. If you're still asking yourself whether or not the Miami Beach Art Fair is held in the interest of art, exclusivity or dinner parties, then the answer is, ostensibly, all three.

Here are a just some of things you should know before the 14th annual South Beach art fair.

Art Basel Is Where Celebrities Make Big Statements

Whether it's in their outfit or in their uniquely executed performance, there is no shortage of pop artists going out of their socially appropriated box in the name of art and exhibitionism. Among the most notable was Miley Cyrus' 2014 visual installation with The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne. Cyrus was widely praised for her performance and belted classic rock songs to an invite-only crowd.

Andre3000 also made headlines with a poignant "I feel ya" jumpsuit exhibition as a new artist to the fair. According to the notes summarizing his intentions, Racked reported that it was "an invitation to think critically and consider rhetorical expression."

Art Basel Has History

If art is interesting or strange enough, it can spark a dialogue—for better or for worse. Performance artists like poet Karen Finley and photographer Andres Serrano—who uses bodily fluids as an integral medium in his work—are among those who set a provocative precedent for art in 2015.

Art Basel Miami Is Often Where Celebs Get Crazy

In addition to artistic contributions, much of Art Basel’s nightlife is saturated with alcohol, which most notably led to a brawl between Drake and Diddy and an alleged wild party with 20 models and Leonardo Dicaprio just last year.

Art Basel Is Full of Wonderfully Weird People

Art Basel Will Inspire You

If there's one thing to take away from Art Basel, it's that there's a little art in everyone and everything, if you're willing to look for it.