Indeed, it is the tiny camera lens that, more than anything, has forever altered the forum for art, said Matthew Higgs, director of the White Columns gallery in New York, and an annual exhibitor at the New Art Dealers Alliance, a satellite fair that is a favorite among savvy insiders.

“Digital media, social media and the rise of the fairs changed the market narrative,’’ Mr. Higgs said. “The art world in the late 20th century was still conditioned or determined by a gallery as the primary place of encounter. In the fashion world, things are now live-screened contemporaneously and sold immediately and there is an idea that you don’t need to see these things in person.’’

Still, Mr. Higgs said, no experience beats experiencing art for yourself, in person, in analog space. And that belief was borne out by the buzzy atmosphere that prevailed in the main hall at the Miami Convention Center during Wednesday’s V.I.P. showing.

The big shark collectors — each guided by a personal remora, or art adviser — stalked works like an $8.5 million Calder mobile (Helly Nahmad Gallery), a $1 million oil on lead by Günther Förg (Galerie Max Hetzler) and a $5 million landscape by Georgia O’Keeffe (Menconi and Schoelkopf). One forlorn couple stood in front of a set of Julie Mehretu monotypes (White Cube) they had missed buying by seconds for the relatively bargain price of $40,000 apiece.

“Sure, there are those who come with a list,’’ said Angela Westwater, the seasoned gallery owner, referring to showy “wall power’’ works by the brand-name artists that are favored by hedge fund investors. “Mark Grotjahn is on the list obviously, and Christopher Wool and Rashid Johnson,’’ Ms. Westwater said of three artists whose work has recently set auction records and remains in hot demand.

“Bruce Nauman is not a trophy name,’’ Ms. Westwater added, referring to the multimedia artist that her gallery, Sperone Westwater, represents and whom many consider the greatest American artist alive. “There are imbalances there, shall we say? Maybe it’s your moment and maybe it’s not. If you’ve been doing this long enough, you learn that it always cycles around over time.’’