More Than Luxury Living: How Faena Hotel Became a Cultural Crossroads for Art Basel Miami Beach 2025
The “Library of Us” installation stands against the Faena Hotel, symbolizing the intersection of art, community, and luxury living at Miami Beach.
image credit: Studio Salama
Each December, Art Basel brings together the global art world, influencers, and creatives alike to showcase, network, and explore all the opportunities Miami has to offer. Though this tradition remains, Miami’s luxury hotels have elevated their role in the Basel experience by undergoing the process of evolving from accommodation to creative ecosystems.
What once was recognized as a room or simply physical space has now transformed into a cultural crossroads for guests and the creative community. Hotels currently choosing to embrace this shift have created an alternative space for individuals to connect, bridging together the world of community, culture, and luxury living.
All eyes were on The Faena Hotel this year, as the luxury brand fully embodies this multicultural shift. Known for their dedication to bringing luxury to life, The Faena Hotel made the conscious decision to work alongside British artist Es Devlin, who created Library of Us. Devlin’s 50-foot rotating library is designed for the viewer to see the eyes of others without the critical lens constructed by society. As Devlin notes, “The work invites viewers to consider the lenses through which we observe one another, what we choose to see, and what we overlook.”
Through the use of over 2,500 books, Devlin’s installation displays the power of culture and knowledge, all interconnected through the art of literature. Physically, the artwork portrays the power within community and human connection, offering creative space for likeminded individuals to connect or simply admire the message behind the matter.
Faena’s direction through the years validates the remarkable accomplishments the luxury brand has co-created through collaboration and innovation, ultimately setting the stage for what the luxury world can expect for the future. On a larger scale, as the world begins to recognize these physical shifts emerging within communities and corporations, the question is revealed on how society will choose to embrace this inevitable change.
A detailed look at the volumes inside Library of Us, with countless narratives and stories found from across the globe.
image credit: Studio Salama
