Moments by: Sarah Holland + EYES & EDGE TEAM

Images Courtesy of E&E, The Art Plug, & slickseed.

What happens when you pour the most electric contemporary art, immersive activations, dopest taste makers, and flying dirt bikes into a bowl? A psychedelic funfetti cake of an experience, palatable to even the "scenest" scene go-er and most aloofly atuned art head. THIS is the treat that Marcel Katz—aka The Art Plug—whipped up for us at Miami's Art Basel, Art Plug Power House event, in December 2019. And while we realize that was a while back, Spring break is cancelled and the world is sort of going to hell in a hand basket, so we're taking this week to relive some of the the tastiest experiences we've had in the past six months.

Marcel Katz is an art dealership, pop-up gallery, and veritable Art God among mortals. Established in 2017, the dealership itself features a roster of over 100 artists, with a thriving presence in both the physical and digital world of art sales and trading. But the brand is so much more than that. With subsidiary arms The Art Plug and Art Plug Powerhouse, Marcel Katz reaches into the realm of all things immersive—all things art; working with brands from Buzzfeed to Stoli to Atlantic Records. They're everywhere man. And we love it.

Most recently, Katz (with help from friends at Red Bull, TAG Heur, and more), orchestrated a second iteration of the still being talked about, Art Plug Power House event, during Art Basel Miami. Touted by Forbes as one of the most memorable events during the creative marathon known as Basel, the event featured a mash-up of over 60 artists and creatives. This blow your hair back ride, stretched over 2 days and mixed, well—a whole lot of awesome.

Meandering through the Citadel venue, our team playfully explored Katz' masterpiece, Art Plug Power House. Visual delights from an exceptional curation of 50+ artists, left us mouth agape and shamelessly snapping the entire time. Clear cast acrylic sculptures from contemporary art favorite Sam Tufnell, mind bending pop paintings by Lalo, pop art realism vibes from Nico, and a f***ing thought provoking installation from CB Hoyo.

A couple cocktails later and no worse for ware, we wandered outside to a totally different sensory explosion. Pure visuals coalesced with pounding adrenaline, as custom painted dirt bikes whizzed over our heads, and beats by Irie and Dude Skywalker rocked the centers of our souls. I mean seriously—dirt bikes? Who adds dirt bikes to an arts event? Marcel Katz, that’s who. And not just any riders—OG X Game and Nitro Circus pros Ronnie Renner, and Gregg Duffy, along with a whole army of other talented two-wheel bandits.

But while we could wax on indefinitely upon the trippy cake walk which was The Art Plug House, we actually had the opportunity for a few questions with Katz and his Plughouse fellows. [Read on]

Lefty Out There with Ronnie Renner - Robert Snow.JPG

EYES & EDGE: The Art House event was multifaceted and very experience driven. What inspired the variety of artistic expression—from engagement driven selfie opps, to swings, and even motocross? And how did you juggle the cohesion? (So much respect.)

Marcel Katz: Thanks so much! I appreciate your awareness of the components that we bring together.

You hit the nail on the head—I simply wanted to create something multidimensional. While I have a great respect for the traditional art fairs, (my gallery Marcel Katz Art had a solo exhibition at an international art fair during the same week this past December as well with photographer Kourosh Keynejad), it became clear to me that the creative world was moving in another direction and I needed to create something multidimensional. It became clear that people were seeking experience, not just looking at a painting on a wall.

A big part of what we do is creating accessibility and changing perception. For so many, these traditional fairs are seen as inaccessible and the art seems unattainable. I want to help people see art a bit differently. A motocross athlete doing tricks in the air is just as much "art" as a canvas painting. I've created a platform to bridge the gap between the mediums of art and creativity.

It is certainly not easy to juggle. There's a lot of moving parts and complexity that aren't seen from the outside looking in. Luckily, I have a strong, versatile team capable of bringing all these different things under one roof and one name.

E&E: Was this the first year of the event?

MK: This was the event's second year! Although there were plenty of new things involved in this one. In 2018, we created the first Power House event, converting an old impound lot in Allapattah into an experimental art fair. We had over 30 artists exhibit both in a gallery setting but also through installations, inspired by immersiveness and interactivity. We also brought in different brands for activations, as well as a musical showcase by Atlantic Records. And, naturally, we brought in a monster truck to crush all the old cars sitting in the lot.

This past year was bigger and better—over 60 artists from around the world, a performance art collaboration with Red Bull featuring the world's first rooftop freestyle motocross show, and a ton of other action. The event spanned 3 days and was enjoyed by thousands. A big thank you to my co-curator Hayes Wheelless from Red Bull who helped pull this off.

E&E: How did you select your artists?

MK: It's not particularly a formal selection process, much more natural. With the talent signed to our agency and the other artists we work with around the world, the pieces somewhat fell into place. In general, it's a combination of a few things: technical skills, work ethic, business-savviness, and mindset/personality.

Biggest hurdle in coordinating this event?

MK: This event, especially this year, was a logistical monster. With the amount of artists involved, there were a lot of moving pieces (quite literally with the artwork) that we had to keep very organized. The biggest hurdle overall was likely the permitting and insurance on our opening kickoff event. On top of the iconic Museum Garage in the Miami Design District, we installed a motocross course and organized a "performance art" event. We teamed world-class, award-winning motocross athletes with some of our signature artists to create custom bike design collaborations and invited 200 special people to witness history. Getting approval to do all that 7 stories high was not an easy task.

E&E: Favorite moment?

My favorite moment was probably watching that first bike fly off the takeoff ramp on the opening night. It was such an incredible weight off my shoulders, the first time in months I was able to exhale. It was an incredibly proud moment, watching months and months of hard work fall perfectly into place. It's still a bit surreal it even happened.

E&E: What are some fun insider details you can share as the creator?

MK: Ha, most of the insider details are probably more nerve-wracking than "fun"! It was a thrill to understand the complexity and challenge of the course on top of the Museum Garage. While the riders were some of the most capable athletes in the world for this stunt, it was still a risky move. There's no way to simulate flying on those ramps over 7 stories high except by just doing it. There were no safety nets, this really was laying it all on the line for the sake of art!

Somehow, Art Plug Power House took an adaptive cultural and arts experience, and put it on steroids. This event was on a totally new level. All we can keep saying is, “whoa—that was high impact“. Well, and maybe— “Woah—what the hell were in those drinks?” Although we are currently in a much different cultural climate with COIVD-19, it’s a prime time for creatives to introspectively create. We're left to ponder what future wonders we might expect from masterminds like Marcel Katz. What might be in store for us this next Art Basel? But in the meantime, sit back and enjoy this virtually delicious slice. We'll all be eating cake again soon—psychedelic sprinkles and all.

In the current climate, we’re all working together. Learn more HERE about this weekend’s online charity auction, ARTISTS FOR ITALY, being supported by The Art Plug House.