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By Zach Hazard



FROM THIS ISSUE

THE VICE GUIDE TO MIAMI ART FAIR...
Ryan is going to zip around on a scooter ...
THE VICE GUIDE TO MIAMI ART FAIR...
With advice from artists and curators on ...
THE VICE GUIDE TO MIAMI ART FAIR...
Danny McDonald says he isn't going to Mia...
THE VICE GUIDE TO MIAMI ART FAIR...
When Miami native Naomi Fisher isn't taki...





THE VICE GUIDE TO MIAMI ART FAIRS - DAVID BENJAMIN SHERRY





David Benjamin Sherry is, in my opinion, one of the most important new photographers we’ve seen in years. As far as I’m concerned, he’s a genius, but that’s just my opinion. However, if you don’t agree, if you don’t like David’s work, chances are you don’t like yourself. Why don’t you like yourself? You’re OK, just a little fat is all. Your breath’s not great either… and you talk funny… otherwise you’re fine. Give yourself a break.


Vice: You going to Art Basel this year?

David Benjamin Sherry:
I think I am. I might be DJing.

That’ll be cool! Have you been down there before?

Yeah, once.

What was the best thing about it?

Twenty Cocks.

What? What’s Twenty Cocks?

Tony Cox. He’s this pro skater turned artist, he’s one of my best friends.

What’s so good about Tony Cox?

Anytime he’s around it’s crazy times.

Like what?

Like drag shows in the middle of the night, beach parties, acid, mushrooms, the whole… bonfire of the masses, it’s always a beautiful thing. We always sneak away from the crowd and meet some weirdos.

Manorathadayakas, 2008, traditional color print (collage), courtesy of Andre Schlechtriem Contemporary.

What sort of art does Tony do?

Performance stuff. He’s the best thing I remember about Art Basel.

What was the worst thing?

Probably the art fair.

The actual fair?

Too many people. I mean, I’ll go to the Armory a lot cause I live in New York. I attend that, and I’ve been to Art Basel in Switzerland, which is actually beautiful. It’s a lot more… exquisite. There’s a huge amount of space and the work seems more important. Sometimes I think art fairs can be like “Malling.” It’s good if your work sells but as an artist I think it’s nicer to distance yourself from all that a little.

Right. What was the most memorable event from your last trip to Miami?

Well, it’s all about Tony Cox. I wish I could fully remember… it included gold body paint, people I’d never spoken to before and will never talk to again, a hotel room that was out of a movie set, this crazy penthouse thing… I’m not sure if the people in it were even there for the fair…

And you were covered in gold paint?

There was a lot of gold paint, a lot… and a couple of fires started… and… mushrooms, Tony Cox, and me. When I got home there were only a few things I could put together… I think we were naked a lot.

Covered in gold paint.

Yeah. Oh! Look, it’s Tony Cox calling right now!

That’s weird.

It is, isn’t it?


< PREV

Comments

Anonymous, on Dec 8, 2008 wrote:
yep, if you haven’t yet, google him. his stuff is amazing
Anonymous, on Dec 7, 2008 wrote:
yeah this guy is great. i don’t know why you haven’t had his work in the magazine till now
Anonymous, on Dec 6, 2008 wrote:
think i went to RISD with that guy
Anonymous, on Dec 5, 2008 wrote:
vice must be short on their mentions of psychedelic drugs quota. the past couple days have been littered with them.
Anonymous, on Dec 5, 2008 wrote:
art basel: the only weekend of the year when south beach is more pretentious than bedford avenue
Anonymous, on Dec 5, 2008 wrote:
no links? it’s friday and i’m lazy.
Anonymous, on Dec 5, 2008 wrote:
so the art basel is great except for the actual art fair, all the people there, and the locals? if you just go to party with your friends couldn’t you just stay in new york?
Anonymous, on Dec 5, 2008 wrote:
mushrooms and a beach are a match made in heaven. i was hesitant the first time but the sun is like a giant massager and if you get too hot, hop it. bring lots of beer. you will want it, trust me. if you have to pee, the world’s largest toilet is 50 ft in front of you. and this should be automatic at the beach but sunglasses are a MUST. tripping and having to squint all day is a buzzkill.

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