Photo courtesy of Art Basel
Art Basel, the one that actually takes place in Basel, opens tomorrow showcasing art from over 284 galleries and 33 countries. The art world has already invaded the city for the annual event, running June 18 to 21. There will be plenty of epic photos as the week goes on, but here are some worthy highlights before the big opening to the public.
Art Basel, the one that actually takes place in Basel, opens tomorrow showcasing art from over 284 galleries and 33 countries. The art world has already invaded the city for the annual event, running June 18 to 21. There will be plenty of epic photos as the week goes on, but here are some worthy highlights before the big opening to the public.
For a taste of the unusual, one can head over to Unlimited, the fair’s area dedicated to projects that transcend the limitations of a classical art-show stands.
Words to Sea, by Diango Hernández, is a ‘translation’ of six quotations extracted from Fidel Castro’s 1961 speech, Words to Intellectuals. It has been made using a font created by Hernández called Waves, in which all the characters look the same. What the viewer sees looks like a repetition of the waves of the sea. Very interesting to read the story behind this, in his words, in http://diangohernandez.com/words-to-sea-diango-hernandez-at-art-basel-unlimited/
Gelbmodellierung is the largest work Franz Erhard Walther has ever made in the Wallformation series. It has not been seen for 26 years, having last been shown at the Vienna Secession in 1989. Image: Franz Erhard Walther, Wallformation Gelbmodellierung, 1980/81. Photo: Courtesy of Peter Freeman Inc and the artist
A live performance you won’t want to miss is this piece titled, ‘Egocentric System’, by Julius Von Bismarck. You will find the artist reading at a desk or lying in a bed, but in this “rotating paraboloid”. But we’re not too sure how much he’ll hold out…Photo: Instagram Art Basel
Another fun installation. David Shrigley’s Life Model (2012), which features this funny looking sculpture, nude and urinating into a bucket. All set in a life class drawing room, where visitors participate creating works hung on the wall.
Victor Burgin, Office at Night (1986), Art Basel Unlimited 2015. Photo: Courtesy Art Basel
Anyone visiting the fair will encounter Ai Weiwei’s “Stacked”, a tower of metal made with 760 connected bikes. Photo: Courtesy of Art Basel
A visit to this gallery is strongly suggested. Image: Francois Morellet, A arte Invernizzi gallery. Courtesy of the artist and the gallery.
In addition to Basel, other art museums and galleries in the city are showcasing special exhibitions. Museum Tinguely for instance is conmemoratind the artist Eva Aeppli, who passed away this May, with a permanent exhibition of works and photos. Aeppli, who grew up in Basel, created works from the 1950s, characterised by great intensity, and her exploration of the depths of the human psyche.
Art Basel, Switzerland, takes place from the 18th to 21st of June in Messeplatz, Basel. For more information visit www.artbasel.co.
