Brooklyn Artist Sparks Miami Frenzy as Lottery Held for VIPs

Demand for the works of the contemporary artist known as KAWS was so hot Wednesday that a gallery at Art Basel Miami Beach had to conduct a lottery -- a rarity for the largest modern and contemporary art fair.

Just minutes after the 11 a.m. opening for VIP collectors, a long line formed outside Pace Prints’ booth where a triptych by the Brooklyn-based artist -- “Last Time, Alone Again & Far Far Dawn” -- was offered at $65,000. The edition of 100 was available for sale. The gallery cut off the line at 11:15 a.m. and each of the prospective buyers wrote their names on a legal pad, filling more than four sheets.