As the expected 40,000 art gallery owners, collectors, and enthusiasts descend on Miami Beach for Art Basel this week, with them come a slew of parties complete with big-name hosts and sponsors. Here's a look at what's taken place leading up to the fair's opening today.

Models participating in Jordan Doner's art installation in the design district
Photo: Courtesy of Jordan Donor

On Tuesday night, artist Jordan Doner debuted his interactive art installation \"Land\" at the 101/Exhibit space in the design district. Guests arrived through a hallway of billowing parachute silk upon which Haley Mellin projected videos from other participating artists such as Doug Aiken and Bruce Nauman.
Photo: Courtesy of Jordan Donor

Models wearing flesh-colored bodysuits created by avant garde New York label Three as Four and screened with Doner's photos of idealized nudes stood inside the installation.
Photo: Courtesy of Jordan Donor

Le Basque Productions created a branded lounge with furniture from Nuage Designs and florals by Jason Frix for Vanity Fair at its annual Art Basel party on Tuesday night at the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami.
Photo: BizBash

Two models wearing dresses branded with images of liquor sponsor Grolsch's beer bottles posed for pictures at it's table at Vanity Fair International's party at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Photo: BizBash

Miami magazine hosted its annual Art Basel party on Tuesday night at Area 31 inside the Epic Hotel. About 300 people attended the event, which featured photography from National Geographic's recent expeditions by marine ecologist Dr. Enric Sala.
Photo: Elizabeth Renfrow

Nearly 1,200 people attended Blue Print for Space by Primary Flight's opening night after-party last night at the Shore Club, where artist Cruz created a graffiti mural on a 30-foot wall set up poolside.
Photo: Courtesy of Primary Flight