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Art Fairs

Your Essential Emoji Phrasebook for Art Basel 2016

By Alexandra Peers and Andrew M. Goldstein

June 14, 2016

Your Essential Emoji Phrasebook for Art Basel 2016

It’s should come as no surprise that art world players can communicate just as well with pictures as with words.

The time-pressed dealers, collectors, curators, and others gathered in Basel this week will be able to swap all the news, the gossip and even the sales of the fairs in a smart-phone pictorial shorthand, i.e., emojis. (Indeed, some artists seem to have their own emojis.)

Here’s how to speak the language, and some common phrases you may need, especially if Leo (DiCaprio, that is) got a hold on your Rob Pruitt—or you need to find the Tolga party, fast.

I just got off the overnight flight to Switzerland—I need a bath and a drink.

Look at those collectors run! They’re like kids on Christmas morning.

Should I get Hirst's pills, Hirst's dots, or Hirst's skulls?

How did THAT ass get a V.I.P. card!?

I can’t believe Larry and David brought Ruscha, Thiebaud, Murakami, AND Oldenburg to the fair!

I just sold a Danh Vo for an obscene amount of money.

Leonardo DiCaprio put a hold on my Pruitt, but now I can’t find him!

I predict prices for this emerging artist will go up, which makes this a very good investment.

Oh no! A Jordan Wolfson robot sculpture just exploded and now my booth is on fire!

Where is the Tolga party tonight?

This Albers will look great in my château.

Yeah! It’s Adele and Eva.

I just asked how much that Jasper Johns costs...

Don't worry, I can get us into the UBS Lounge.

I have to say, I don't love everything I'm seeing here.

Tell them it’s in Euros and see if they bite.

At the fair I wear flats by day, heels by night.

Don’t miss the Katharina Fritsch show at the Schalauger!

How am I going to get this massive marble sculpture home?

Thank God for art handlers.

Great fair! See you in Miami!

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Partners You'd Like to Follow

Enter or select all partners that interest you:

<FollowQuerySet [{'obj_id': 89, 'obj_name': 'M+B', 'follow_type': 'partner', 'num_follows': 1765}, {'obj_id': 1, 'obj_name': 'America: Now+Here', 'follow_type': 'partner', 'num_follows': 2164}, {'obj_id': 25, 'obj_name': 'Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts', 'follow_type': 'partner', 'num_follows': 2176}, {'obj_id': 16, 'obj_name': 'David Zwirner', 'follow_type': 'partner', 'num_follows': 7490}, {'obj_id': 408, 'obj_name': 'Pace Prints ', 'follow_type': 'partner', 'num_follows': 2675}, {'obj_id': 274, 'obj_name': 'Electric Works', 'follow_type': 'partner', 'num_follows': 1474}]>

M+B

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America: Now+Here

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Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

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David Zwirner

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Pace Prints

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Electric Works

4 of 4

Damien Hirst, Pardon, 2012

James Welling, H1, 2006

Josh Smith,LARGE IMAGE J.S. (Untitled, 2006), 2012

Sol LeWitt, Two Centimeter Wavy Bands In Colors, 1996

Coke Wisdom O'Neal, The Gospel of Wealth, 2013

Alex Katz, Coleman Pond II, 2007

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Above $100,000: $10,000

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If you are the winning bidder, you will be contacted 48 hours after of the close of the auction.

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Winning bidders will be contacted within 48 hours to arrange shipping and to provide final price including commission, shipping, and taxes and duties when applicable. Promotion codes cannot be applied to auction works.

* Price listed does not include buyer's premium (if applicable), sales tax, shipping, or handling fees.