This eight edition will presents an impressive roster of 29 international galleries and 7 emerging galleries as part of the Design On/Site program.

The core of Design Miami is collectible design, where the most reputable international design galleries are presenting curated exhibitions of museum-quality furniture, lighting and objets d’art, attracting the highest level of private and public collectors of historical and contemporary design. The galleries invited to exhibit in Design Miami/ deal mainly in exceptional design objects from the advent of Modernism (circa 1900) to the present day, with select galleries specializing in outstanding 18th and 19th century antiques.

During Design Miami/, a special program Design On/Site Galleries will showcase small-scale yet high-level exhibitions presented by design galleries, guerilla dealers or independent curators. Providing a platform for contemporary design innovation, these exhibitions support the relationships between patrons and creatives that drive the production of collectible design.

The Designer of the Year Award, recognizing an internationally renowned designer or studio whose body of work demonstrates unmatched innovation and influence in public and private spheres as well as industrial and conceptual production, went to Acconci Studio who will produce a climbing/playing structure to be permanently installed in the Miami Design District by 2014.
In honor of the award-winner, the Miami Design District is hosting a temporary, site-specific installation of work by Acconci Studio: "Here/There, Now/Later", from December 5th to 9th 2012, Buena Vista Building, Miami Design District, 180 NE 39 Street #109 and #110.

On Saturday, December 8 from 2pm to 4 pm, BE OPEN Forum, in collaboration with Design Miami, presens a unique programme for designers, architects, artists, and scientists dedicated to cross-disciplinary research, whose work challenges the boundaries of their respective fields.

FABRICA, the design think tank directed by Sam Baron, will present Tutti Frutti, a new glass collection that celebrates Miami’s designer look, cosmopolitan atmosphere and vibrant lifestyle. The collection will make its world debut in United Colors of Benetton’s remodeled Miami store (670 Collins Avenue at 7th street) and at New York gallery owner Cristina Grajales’s booth inside the fair (n°24).









Some highlights in this year Design Miami edition include:

·   Nature Inspirations: Jason Jacques (presenting Art Nouveau glass and ceramic), Galerie BSL (nature inspired work by Noë Duchaufour-Lawrence and Taher Chemirik), Cristina Grajales Inc (Walking Bench by Pedro Barrail), Priveekollektie (light installations by Dominic Harris) and Galerie VIVID (new unique vases by Glithero).
 
·   American Design: Mark McDonald (homage to the Eames House), Moderne Gallery (work by California Modern masters Nakashim and Wharton Esherick), R 20th Century (work by Wendell Castle, godfather of the American studio furniture movement), Volume Gallery (a solo show by Snarkitecture).
 
·   Italian Design: Nilufar (presenting selected work by Michelangelo Pistoletto), Rossella Colombari (with pieces from the most important Italian designers of the twentieth century such as Gio’ Ponti, Carlo Mollino, Ico Parisi, Ettore Sottsass and Andrea Branzi), first-time participant Erastudio Apartment-Gallery (a solo show by Gaetano Pesce).  
 
·   Innovation in glass work: novel ways of expression and experimentation in the ancient medium glass at Pierre Marie Giraud (with work by Ritsue Mishima), Venice Projects (with Pieke Bergmans) and {{Victor Hunt]] (presenting a solo show of work by Sylvain Willenz).


OTHER EVENTS IN MIAMI:
- "Architecture for Dogs"
180 NE 39th St. Unit 112, Miami Design District - from December 5th to 9th 2012
(OPEN HOUSE FOR DOGS -December 7-9 from 3-5pm)
- HERMES EDITEUR: “Couleurs de L’ombre” by HIROSHI SUGIMOTO
Hermes temporary shop, 175 NE 40th Street, Miami Design District - from Dec. 7th to 9th 2012
- "Postcards of the Wiener Werkstätte"
The Wolfsonian FIU - untill March 31, 2013


Picture above in this page: Atelier Ted Noten, collection "7 Necessities" survival kits for women presented by Ornamentum Gallery