To differentiate it from its global spin-offs, the Swiss version of Art Basel was rechristened Art Basel in Basel in 2013. Despite the repetitive nature of the title, the fair, on from 19 to 22 June, remains the pre-eminent art event of the year. This year’s edition promises to live up to its reputation with 291 galleries from 42 countries and territories, new sections and a public reception for the first Art Basel Awards, which celebrate trailblazers across the sector.
Outside of the fair, there’s a host of buzzy satellite events and museum shows that are worth a visit, including your last chance to see a major exhibition dedicated to the artist-architect Le Corbusier in Bern. Here, we pick the best of the bunch, take the temperature of the art market with the fair’s director and spill the best spots for a cocktail at the end of a long day in the halls of Messe Basel.
Q&A
Maike Cruse
Director, Art Basel in Basel
This is the second edition of Art Basel in Basel with Maike Cruse in charge. The German-born director previously worked as communications director at Art Basel between 2008 and 2011. Here, Cruse reveals what she’s looking forward to this year, takes a view on the art market and offers her favourite place to go dancing in Basel.
What are some of your highlights?
Nine galleries are participating for the first time in the gallery sector, which is always exciting. I’m particularly looking forward to Galerie Le Minotaure from Paris, which will focus on 20th-century geometric abstraction and works by László Moholy-Nagy, as well as The Third Gallery Aya from Osaka, which is presenting pioneering Japanese female photographers. The new sector, Premiere, will see galleries showcase works from the past five years – ultra-contemporary pieces from emerging voices. There, the Gypsum Gallery from Cairo will bring together two artists whose work is inspired by volcanic landscapes.
What else is new?
This is the first Art Basel Awards, which is an all-year initiative that celebrates boundary-pushing artists, curators, museum patrons and others who are driving the future of contemporary art. In Basel, we will celebrate our 36 medallists and bring them together for public talks and presentations.
How does Art Basel in Basel retain its top spot in the art calendar?
It’s the quality of the fair. We have a rigorous selection process and it’s the Art Basel fair with the broadest programme. This includes galleries presenting modern art but also we have sectors, like Unlimited [dedicated to monumental and immersive works], which are unique in the world of art fairs.
Your view on the art market today?
What we are seeing at the moment is cautious optimism. There has been a democratisation of the market: we are seeing new and younger buyers coming into it.
Where do you go out in the city?
My favourite is the Campari bar at the Kunsthalle restaurant. Head to Chez Donati for Italian food, Peng for dumplings or Chanthaburi for the best Asian food. And for dancing, nothing beats techno club Nordstern.
Breaking new ground
Art Basel has a strong track record of championing emerging galleries. This year there are 18 new galleries being thrown into the mix. Here, we pick three worth checking out.
1.
Gallery Artbeat
Tbilisi
Keeping things close to home, Gallery Artbeat offers a solo exhibition by Georgian artist Nika Kutateladze. His contemplative paintings – typically darkly pigmented, otherworldly portraits – take inspiration from his time spent in small rural communities in the mountains of Georgia. The immersive presentation will be staged in a reconstructed living room typically found in a Gurian village.
Find the gallery in the Statements section
2.
Polka Galerie
Paris
Italian photographers Luigi Ghirri and Franco Fontana will be brought together at the booth of Paris’s Polka Galerie. The Ghirri prints examine landscapes as an extension of the people who inhabit them in his trademark naturalistic manner. In contrast, his contemporary Fontana takes his cue from stylistic movements such as minimalism and abstract expressionism.
Find the gallery in the Feature section
3.
Galerie Eli Kerr
Montreal
The first gallery hailing from Montréal to exhibit at the fair in its 55-year history, Galerie Eli Kerr will show an intriguing installation by Lebanese video artist and writer Joyce Joumaa. Joumaa’s work explores Lebanon’s energy crisis through repurposed circuit-breaker boxes, which showcase photographs of quotidian urban scenes in Beirut and Tripoli.
Find the gallery in the Statements section
Museum shows to catch
There is plenty to enjoy under the roof of Messe Basel but if you need a break from the hubbub, these are the museum shows to see while you’re in town.
1.
‘Vija Celmins’
Fondation Beyeler, Basel
A calming contrast to the fair is always to be found at Basel’s Fondation Beyeler, which has idyllic surroundings. During Art Basel, it will present a comprehensive retrospective of Latvian-born artist Vija Celmins. The show will bring together works from the 1960s to the present day and includes sculpture, painting and drawing.
15 June to 21 September
2.
‘Midnight Zone’
Museum Tinguely, Basel
“Midnight Zone”, French-Swiss artist Julian Charrière’s solo show at Museum Tinguely, muses on how humans inhabit the world and how, in turn, the world inhabits us. Underwater ecologies are presented through photography, film and sculpture. All promise to envelop you in a kaleidoscope of blue and encourage reflection on our relationship with the natural world.
11 June to 2 November
3.
‘Le Corbusier. The Order of Things’
Zentrum Paul Klee, Bern
Just an hour’s train ride from Basel, the Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern has devoted a major exhibition to Le Corbusier. The show includes both iconic pieces and unseen works, and is a chance to revel in the sketches and original designs of this pioneer of modern architecture.
Until 22 June
Artist spotlight
Lonnie Holley
The work of American septuagenarian artist and musician Lonnie Holley has gained well-deserved traction in recent years. At this year’s fair, London-based gallery Edel Assanti will present a solo show of his colourful paintings and unusual sculptures made from salvaged materials. Holley’s artistic practice also includes film and music so it’s worth visiting his installations in the Unlimited sector to grasp the diversity of his work. His art reflects his extraordinary life, which includes being incarcerated at the Alabama Industrial Home for Negro Children in his youth.
“He is someone who has lived a life that few of us could possibly imagine,” says Charlie Fellowes, co-founder of Edel Assanti. “And he delves into these experiences to unpack them in a way which invites meaningful discourse on race, ancestral memory and our engagement with technology. That is something that we have to cherish.”
Q&A
Lee Cavaliere
Director,Volta Art Fair
Alternative art fair Volta is also known for promoting cutting-edge creativity. We speak to director Lee Cavaliere to find out more.
How does Volta compare to other fairs?
We don’t see ourselves as a satellite. This is our 20th year and it’s a testament to our agility and connectedness with the emerging and middle market.
How has the fair changed?
We’re now in a bigger venue and we have 70 galleries from 29 countries. It’s still a digestible size, which gives people time to meet the galleries and artists.
What is your favourite spot in Basel?
I love Basel because it’s walkable and you can easily discover things. Museum Bistro Rollerhof has seats on the square by Museum der Kulturen so you can sit, eat and watch the world go by.
Volta runs from 18 to 22 June; voltaartfairs.com
