In less than two weeks, the 18th edition of DESIGN MIAMI.BASEL opens its doors, offering a world-class lineup of exhibitors specialized in the best of historical and contemporary collectible design.

Alongside an array of original Curio, Design at Large, and Special Project installations, this year's Basel fair will showcase 18 top-tier international galleries—three of which are making their DESIGN MIAMI debut this year.

As first-time exhibitors, Galerie Maxime Flatry, Galerie Eva Presenhuber, and Objects with Narratives are coming in strong, each presenting solo exhibitions of extraordinary talents from the Art Deco era, the postmodern era, and today.

Read on for an enticing preview of what you'll find in Basel next month, and discover the rare and wonderful collections our debut gallerists have curated for the show.

For its auspicious debut at DESIGN MIAMI.BASEL, Paris-based Galerie Maxime Flatry is presenting a collection of rare and important works by Jean-Michel Frank (1895–1941), shining a light on the indelible mark that the legendary French Art Deco designer imprinted on the world of decorative arts. Originating a distinctive style known as luxe pauvre, or poor luxury, Frank produced a rich catalogue of furniture designs that anticipated the formal simplicity of the modernist movement while building on France’s rich heritage of expert craftsmanship.

When asked about his choice to focus on Frank’s oeuvre at the Basel fair, gallerist Maxime Flatry tells us: “Basel has historically played a pivotal role in the international landscape of modern art. Considering this context, I reflected that no other major 20th-century designer had as many affinities and interactions with the artists of his time than Jean-Michel Frank. His circle of friends included such figures as Giacometti and Dalí. In fact, Frank famously encouraged these artists to delve into the field of decorative arts. His contribution to the convergences of design and fine art has had a lasting, significant impact.”

“The mythical allure of Jean-Michel Frank,” Flatry continues, “lies in his radical approach to form, which he expressed in the most precious and luxurious materials. This blend of opposites—this concept of ‘furnishing by unfurnishing’—has given Frank’s work a timeless character. This timelessness is what, in my opinion, most appeals to collectors today. Further, collectors are increasingly interested in creators who have a genuine philosophy underpinning their work. Who embodies this more than Frank?”

For its first foray in the Basel fair, Galerie Eva Presenhuber (Zürich/Vienna) is bringing together an important collection of furniture by Franz West (1947–2012). World renown for his irreverent and ironic approach to form and materials, the Austrian conceptual artist worked across a wide range of media and typologies—including furniture—frequently challenging conventions around the body, communication, and art itself. The gallery’s curated selection underscores how West approached design as both a sculptural and social experience

“I chose to present a solo booth by Franz West for our debut at DESIGN MIAMI,” Presenhuber tells us, “to pay tribute to my nearly 30-year collaboration with him and his groundbreaking contribution to contemporary art and design, even after his death in 2012. Beginning in the mid-1970s, West first rejected the passive bystander approach to experiencing art and began making, what he called, ‘Passstücke,’ which visitors were encouraged to pick up and carry around. Later, he began making furniture that served as both works of art and objects to be touched and used. I think this is a beautiful concept that deserves continued recognition.”

When asked to characterize West’s ongoing appeal today, Presenhuber notes, “Collectors love Franz West’s work, because it’s a unique blend of art and functionality. His beautifully manufactured furniture is not only visually striking but also invites interaction. These versatile objects enhance both the private home as well as the public space and make a wonderful addition to any collection.”

Objects with Narratives (Brussels) is debuting at DESIGN MIAMI.BASEL with Liquid Solids, a solo exhibition of newly commissioned works by Ben Storms. Like an alchemist, this rising-star, contemporary Belgian designer-craftsman employs a range of hands-on and digital processes to transmute rigid materials like copper, aluminum, and marble into fluidly organic functional sculptures.

“In my practice as a designer,” Storms explains, “I push materials to their boundaries, often questioning common notions. Does marble always have to look heavy? Can steel look soft? By creating shapes that verge on the impossible, I confuse the viewers, make them lose their balance briefly, and stimulate them to look at familiar materials with a fresh eye.”

For gallery cofounder Robbe Vandewyngaerde, Storms’ work provides an ideal way to introduce the DESIGN MIAMI.BASEL audience to Objects with Narratives’ program. “Leading by example,” Vandewyngaerde tells us, “Storms is a force in Belgium—one of the most recognizable artists here today. At the same time, his work embodies the identity of our gallery: boundary-defying objects driven by both narrative and craft.”

Vandewyngaerde adds: “Combining innovative and traditional processes, Storms’ controlled approach embraces moments of unpredictability, resulting in archetypal, sometimes even surreal shapes that bring out the richness of natural and man-made materials. His work strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and complexity and is suited to all interiors, from classic to contemporary.”