Art Basel: A city activated by art

This year the Art Basel in Basel fair brings together 286 galleries from around the world, and features an expanded citywide program with many special events marking a number of anniversaries for the fair and its sectors.

At the center of the expansion is a refreshed format for the Parcours sector of public art. Curated for the first time by Stefanie Hessler, Director of Swiss Institute (SI) in New York, the program features 20 site-specific installations unfolding at venues along Clarastrasse which connects the fairgrounds to the Rhine. UBS’s branch at Claraplatz will feature a series of new paintings by German artist Edith Deyerling, made with the artist’s unique craft of using UV paints, as part of the program.

At the opposing end of the trail, the former Hotel Merian will be activated through art with an around-the-clock program of talks and performances. A site-specific installation by UBS Art Collection artist Petrit Halilaj also adorns the building’s façade, with a constellation of dancing stars lighting up the city’s skyline, co-presented by Art Basel and UBS in celebration of our 30-year partnership.

The Unlimited sector, a dedicated space for large-scale installations, made possible by support from UBS since 2000, will showcase 70 monumental artworks that stretch beyond the typical white-walled booth.   

Curated by Giovanni Carmine, Director of Kunst Halle Sankt Gallen, many of the works will explore the narratives of contemporary society. A futuristic installation by Teresa Solar Abboud explores the transformation of organic entities in the context of industrialization, and Lutz Bacher’s life-sized chess board features 20th-century icons to craft a narrative of a gamified world today. 

In the UBS Art Studio, located in the entrance of Hall 1.0 at the fair, visitors can explore the craft of creation with our collaboration with the Swiss art foundry Kunstbetrieb AG Münchenstein. Follow the journey to create three new sculptures conceived by artist Vanessa Billy, created through the skilful craft of cast-bronzing, on display in the booth for the first time.

Looking for some expert insight? The Conversations program, free and open to all in the Auditorium, brings together thought leaders for 11 insightful conversations. Celebrating its 20^th year with a special edition curated for the first time by Kimberly Bradley, the talks will explore the pressing issue of how to build and shape contemporary culture’s future. As part of the program, Paul Donovan, Chief Economist of UBS Global Wealth Management, will join other legal experts to discuss "The art market: Navigating a sea of instability".

The UBS Art Collection will also hold an exciting artist talk in the Auditorium, bringing together artists Maja Bajević and Shinique Smith to explore the role of textiles in their artistic practices. Join the artists in conversation with writer, critic and curator Enuma Okoro from 11am CET on Thursday June 12, 2024. Mary Rozell, Global Head of the UBS Art Collection, recently spoke with Bajević at her studio in Paris: watch it here.

Out in time for the fair, discover “Adventures in Craft: The people and places shaping Basel”, a new guide by Monocle and UBS. Basel is full of stories of people who are dedicated to their craft and passionate about evolving it for the future. This guide offers unique insight into some of those who are shaping Basel today and the chance to explore and immerse yourself in their worlds.