Johnny Depp
With the arrival of June
comes thousands of des gens créatifs eager to experience the local Swiss and international art scene that Art Basel has to offer. The international art fair with offshoots in Hong Kong, Miami Beach and Paris has evolved to be the leading global platform connecting collectors, galleries, and artists. Its raging popularity has even launched neighbouring events Photo Basel and Design Miami. Basel (10 Jun - 16). Running from June 13th to 16th, it promises a thrilling programme of exhibitions, performances, films, talks, installations and unique artist-led experiences. Altogether, 285 of the world’s leading galleries, showcasing the highest quality of works across all media, including painting, sculpture, photography, and digital artworks. 22 first-time participants will join a robust lineup of European exhibitors and returning galleries from around the globe.
Photography by Jingyu Lin for Art Basel. Courtesy of Art Basel
Originally founded in 1970 by Basel gallerists Ernst Beyeler, Trudl Bruckner and Balz Hilt, the UBS-partnered fair is an annual event hosted across Messe Basel. Art Basel’s public art sector will meander through empty stores and operational shops, a hotel, a restaurant, a brewery, and other quotidian spaces on Basel’s Clarastrasse to the Middle Bridge. Curated for the first time by Stefanie Hessler, Director of Swiss Institute (SI) in New York, it centres on interpretations of circulation and transformation. Featuring a Chinese shadow play installation by Swedish artist Lap-See Lam, A portable garden by Austrian artist Lois Weinberger, and more presented by notable galleries like Sadie Coles HQ, Thaddaeus Ropac, and Massimodecarlo.
Galerie Le Minotaure, Cesar Domela. Courtesy of Art Basel
Meanwhile, the Messeplatz, the economic pulse of Kleinbasel, is hosting a major work by conceptual artist Agnes Denes. A transformative installation called Honouring Wheatfield - A Confrontation (2024), it redefines the dialogue between environment, land art, and the value of things. She is joined by 70 large-scale installations and performances staged in the show’s Unlimited sector, curated (for the fourth time) by Giovanni Carmine, Director of Kunst Halle Sankt Gallen. A myriad of distinguished and emerging artists, visitors can enjoy colossal sculptures, wall paintings, and expansive video projections such as Untitled (2022), an installation by American artist Henry Taylor, presented by Hauser & Wirth. For the first time ever, the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite artwork for the whole duration of the fair.
The
Art Basel's broad metropolis also includes sectors: Galleries, Feature, Statements, Edition. As well as the enthralling thematic Kabinett section, which returns for the second time with 22 projects presented by 23 galleries. The city's artistic revelry will continue into the evening and night with festive live performances and acts in the Parcours sector, and charming Wes Anderson-esque Merian hotel buoyed on the river Rhine.
For those seeking discussion on contemporary culture, the Conversations programme is celebrating its 20th anniversary by bringing together over 25 thought leaders across 11 panels. on ways to build and shape the art world’s future. Curated for the first time by Berlin-based art critic Kimberly Bradley, it focuses on ways to build and shape the art world’s future; featuring inspiring speakers such as Artnet News’ Editor-at-Large Ben Davis, and artist Mire Lee, Ahead of her Hyundai Commission at Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall. Finally, the film programme will spotlight an eclectic range of cinema projects. From avant-garde features to short films, its lineup explores topics such as ecology, intimacy, history, and politics.
Art Basel's longevity and success lies in its annual lineup of stellar curators, artists and innovators. As well as scoping a site for discussion and buying opportunities, it's become a crucible of creative expression and community.
Lévy Gorvy Dayan. Courtesy of Art Basel
More to see in Basel
Design Miami. Basel
JUN 10 – 16, 2024
Alu Casted Marble Composition Wallpiece, 2024 by Ben Storms for
Objects with Narratives at DESIGN MIAMI.BASEL 2024 (Image courtesy of Alexander Popelier)
Fauteuil Crocodile, 2015 by Claude Lalanne from Galerie Mitterrand at Design Miami Basel 2024 (Photographer - Rebecca Fanuele)
Photo Basel
June 11 – 16, 2024
Buchkunst Berlin, Thomas Hoepker, New York City Lovers Lane 1983. Courtesy of Photo Basel
Kopie Gallery. Courtesy of Photo Basel
Galerie Anita Beckers, Anton Corbijn, PJ Harvey London, 1994. Courtesy of Photo Basel
Ara Ko (KOR, 1989), In the Meadow, 2020. Window Fourteen, Geneva | Foyer. Courtesy of Photo Basel
