Chaperone like it's 1999

In the wake of new years eve.

Living in the swamp means coping with storms - before, during n after. Hurricanes are compliments of mother nature, Basel the art fair is man-made, compliments of the industry. I welcome both with much ado apprehension and pickled relief when the dust is settled, until the next holy-daze season.

One recurring storm is most assuredly welcome, because it is mostly my doing.



Loitering allowed. No adults please.

Too old for the Mall - too young for the Clubs.
Here are a few vignettes from this years DASH Teen Dance - students big sick party.



Turn up the volume, turn off the lights.

Much can be said of the age-old dance of courtship and rights of passage.
Suffice to report that all is well in the hormonal department, the beaker spilleths over.



Doing the humpty-hump... sticky with unadulterated enthusiasm.

Society is completely disrespectful of the needs of this age group...
It is indeed an obligation, privilege and delight to provide these teens with the opportunity, place and tunes for them to be, well... themselves.



These kids have earned their indulgences.
A great time was had by all, and so it's back to school.

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Faux Bold Face Types

Everybody wants their picture with...
Eva and Adele remind me of the Scull Sisters.

For those who just can't get enough of Miami Basel Art, here is a quick mention of dear longtime friends and art aficionados Paul Laster and Rene Ricardo. The two have been an item since 80's and part of the wallpaper in the grand old living room of the high-brow art scene. They loved the BordelloBodega so much that they visited practically everyday during Basel for a cuban coffee shot and to remminese on the decades we share. I don't know how they do it... manage to look great, act charming and report on all the going on with laser-sharp focus on the who's who. I venture to say art keeps the freaks young. They know how to sniff-out the bold-face types.

Paul's camera work and commets can be had at Artkrush, MiamiArtMania and Flavorwire just to name a few.

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In the Belly of Big Basel

Being immersed in the fine art industry, it is easy to forget that just short walk from all the hullabaloo of Basel one can find ample example of those who are perfectly oblivious to the "life or death" seriousness, self-importance pomp and circumstance of ABMB.


Tomorrows public service non-art troops.

Junior ROTC practice their maneuvers across Dade Blvd. from ABMB at MB Senior High School. They may very well be proud of not knowing anything about art.


!% down payment on income property.

Newly constructed du-plex just a block from Design Miami in the mainland.
Probably costs less than the Bob Williams 8"x10" that sold for 350,000.


Ground Zero Design Miami

The Bordello Bodega was a big hit among the vips and casual art aficionados.
There were times when a crowd would gather outside wanting to get in to take advantage of the 1940's prices on libations, substantials candies and necessities.



Bordello Bodega without the people.
I cant tell you how many times i heard people say this was such a welcome treat, the best thing they had seen all week. The place had an aura of having always been there. Foreigners were delighted with the quirky ambiance and intriguing native visual appeal.


That's allota GoGo Empanadas.

Somehow we managed to raise wads of dough for DASH. But more so, we raised the consciousness of many a traveler eager to be not just amused by art but transformed if only for a moment to a place in their minds, the bordello bodega.

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Bordello Bodega

The Bordello Bodega

Celebrating 25 years in the Design District, Miami artist Oliver Sanchez will open his studio featuring the Bordello Bodega during the Design Miami and Art Basel Miami Beach events.

The BORDELLO BODEGA is a neighborhood convenience store with a hospitality club theme laced with a unique Latin Manhattan flavor. A ridiculous manifestation that attempts to convey the notion that what propels human endeavor is an unchanging burning desire for fundamental earthly pleasures.




WHO: Oliver Sanchez Studio
WHAT: The BORDELLO BODEGA
WHEN: December 1-7 2008
WHERE: 3821 NE 1 Court
WHY: Fund-raiser for Design and Architecture Senior High School

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