Nahema Mehta is the co-founder and CEO of Absolut Art, which collaborates with local artists to produce limited-edition artworks that are signed, framed, and delivered to your door.  Nahema is a seasoned pro in the art world. She scours the world finding and handpicking artists for her company, so she knows a thing or two about the best spots and locations around the world.

 

With Art Basel Miami less than a month away, we knew we had to pick her brain about Miami’s must-sees, dining spots and favorite locations for that full Miami experience.

 

Art Zealous: Favorite hotel?

Nahema Mehta: Faena Hotel

 

AZ: When you only have 20 minutes between fairs during Basel, you go to….

NM: To unwind, Tierra Santa Healing House at Faena Hotel is always a welcome indulgence. Fair warning, this is more than 20 minutes 😉

 

AZ: Walk us through a typical day for you down in Miami during Basel.

NM: Fairs, exhibits, dinners, repeat.

 

photo // courtesy of AbsolutArt

 

AZ: Will Absolut Art have a presence down in Miami this year?

NM: Yes! Absolut Art will exhibit at NADA from December 6–9, 2018 at Ice Palace Studios.

 

AZ: Favorite fairs to check out while you’re in town?

NM: To scout for any upcoming talents I’ll be stopping by Pulse and Prizm.

 

AZ: Must-see galleries and collections?

NM: Classics like the Pérez Art Museum and the collections of De La Cruz Collection and Rubell are all showcasing strong exhibits that I’m quite excited for. In addition, The Bass is presenting a must-see exhibit with works from Paola Pivi, Aaron Curry and The Haas Brothers.

 

AZ: Describe your perfect Art Basel outfit.

NM: Statement colour jumpsuits like this one and comfortable pointed-toe flats like these that I’ve been wearing daily.

 

AZ: We’re likely to find you at these restaurants in Miami…

NM: For dinner, I love private dinners at people’s homes which are always a breath of fresh air, but in terms of restaurants I would say Casa Tua for truffle and wild mushroom fettuccine – tried and true, made complete by a drink in the lounge upstairs. Lunch is all about multitasking for me and Soho Beach House fits the bill: I can have a lunch meeting at Cecconi’s, regroup with my team on the beach, and play email catch-up in the library. If I’m in the Design District and want to escape the scene, OTL is tasty and unassuming – it’s from the same people behind NYC’s The Smile.

 

photo // courtesy of AbsolutArt

 

AZ: Best spot to have a drink after a long day?

NM: Juvia’s Herzog & de Meuron-designed rooftop serves up cocktails against Miami’s heady art deco skyline, Watr at The 1 Rooftop is a choice spot for sunset drinks, and nightcaps are best enjoyed at Saxony Bar. That said, sometimes you just need a caffeine jolt to keep you going and for that the cafecito cubano at The Dutch or a shot of Panther Coffee’s East Coast blend both deliver.

 

AZ: Advice for a first-timer?

NM: To fully escape the busy day, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is quite lovely—a rainforest peppered with art installations minus the Art Basel madness.


top image // Nahema Mehta, photographed by Robert Chamorro