Why Art Basel?
The excitement of going to Art Basel begins when you first see information about the fair in art magazine headlines, newspapers, and on social media. People around you start making plans to attend.
I buy my ticket. I'm so excited to go! The countdown begins!
The long-awaited day has finally arrived! I am at the train station and as I go to the platform, I see a sea of people also going to the fair. The atmosphere is filled with excitement. Time flies! I arrive in Basel, where I am welcomed by a beautiful, warm day! As I take the train to the fair, I travel through the city. It is stunning and well worth the trip. I cross the river, where people are bathing in the cool water.
When the tram doors open, I am in Art Basel. Its impressive steel ring gleams, and the art is palpable even before you see the color in the fountain. Since it's still early, I start with a visit to the Swiss Art and Design Pavilion. The works of the finalists and winners of the Swiss Art and Design Competition are on display here. This is a great place to see the latest trends in Swiss art and architecture. The included disciplines are photography, product design, and fashion design.
Presented since 1899, the Swiss Art Award is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards. The Swiss Design Award complements the artistic competition, providing a broader overview of contemporary art in Switzerland. The Swiss Federal Office of Culture organizes this event and is often present alongside the Art Basel fair. (1)
By the end of the tour, I realize that the time has come— it's time to enter the main space of Art Basel!
I decide to start in Hall 2, where the art galleries are located. This year, 289 of the most prestigious galleries from 42 countries and territories are presenting modern and contemporary art. As I cross the threshold, I have the impression I've entered Alibaba's cave. The magic works, and I feel as if I'm in another world. This year's visit begins on the top floor, where I can explore every nook and cranny, otherwise I would skip them. Then, I take a lunch break before continuing on the first floor, where I can admire each work of art in detail. After finishing the visit of the Hall 2, I take a coffee break before finishing the tour at the Unlimited exhibition in Hall 1. This year, Giovanni Carmine, director of the St. Gallen Art Gallery, curated 67 projects.
Now, let's start our visit to the art galleries.
As I walk around, I overhear people talking. One person is very excitedly telling a colleague that an important collector contacted him on Instagram and promised to visit them the next day. In other galleries, you hear gallery owners telling clients the price of a work. Clients inquiring about particular works of art or artists.
As I walk around, I overhear people talking. One person is very excitedly telling a colleague that an important collector contacted him on Instagram and promised to visit them the next day. In other galleries, you hear gallery owners telling clients the price of a work. Clients inquiring about particular works of art or artists.
As I stroll around, admiring some work of art, the gallery owners kindly approach me to explain that this piece is about gargoyles who kidnapped a man, and that you can see the terror on the prisoner's face.
A fair is a thermometer for our times, and art is humanity's soul. Works of art have the power to speak to you and reveal profound insights about the world around us and the era we inhabit. All you need to do is pay attention.
There is plenty of color, joy, and hope. I stop to admire, but there is so much to see that I will only focus on a few pieces. I am struck by the variety of materials and how they are combined; words and movement are involved too.
As I walk through the corridors, I suddenly feel as if I was being stared at. I turn my head and see a small statue in the corner. It is small but intense, depicting two animals walking, one with big straight ears looking at me as if to say hello. What was going on there?
There is no doubt that the gallerists challenge you with their presentation of works of art. Each booth is a world waiting to be discovered. You definitely cannot pass without feeling something special in each space, which makes it an experience like no other.
Suddenly, I stumble into the booth of an art gallery and start seeing amazing pieces that challenge me, surrounded by lots of people and conversations, and everyone is really impressed how joyfulness and sad realities cohabit, while the gallerists are busy trying to attend to all the people asking questions; of course we are in the famous Gagosian Gallery. Vulnerability of human culture and the natural world is the theme of the exhibition, which features works by different artists using various media. The exhibition is presented by Francesco Bonami, the curator.
I think these moments are unique, and you can only experience them at a fair like Art Basel. This adrenaline rush can only be found at a fair like this. When the works of a specific artist create a buzz, it is very important because it can have repercussions on the secondary market, raising the artist's and the gallery's value. Art fairs are exciting, lively places where creativity and business come together. They attract artists, collectors, galleries and institutions from all over the world.(2)
Marinella Senatore, We Rise by Lifting Others, 2023, presented by Mazzoleni. Unlimited Exhibition
Time for a coffee break! My head is buzzing with colours, images, ideas and emotions. I need a break. After a cappuccino, I'll be ready to continue with Unlimited exhibition.
I cross the entrance and find a bright, colourful structure. It looks like a circus tent, but it also reminds me of a can can scene with its music. Either way, it's an interesting and joyful piece. In this space, I experience a range of emotions. The artists talk about what we are experiencing now. The world is full of uncertainty, war and fear, and people need hope. It's hard to combine all these elements, but they manage to do it.
When I see this huge piece, a strange feeling of anguish comes over me. I read the label and completely agree with the piece's title: 'Dance Macabre'.
Other pieces give me a more optimistic feeling. One area contains war artefacts and bizarre scientific instruments, while other pieces evoke the 1960s and 1970s through their colour schemes.
The spaciousness of the gallery allows visitors to enjoy the exhibition at their own pace, taking time to reflect. It is important to reflect on peace and war. I find this aspect of the exhibition very philosophic.
After visiting a museum, I often feel like I could cry because the beauty I have admired is so intense that I cannot contain my emotions. On the contrary, I left Art Basel feeling a strong energy, feeling the humanity of mankind and feeling hope of the future of us humans. Just as some people can only destroy, others can reinvent and create new worlds.
Leaving Art Basel makes me wonder: why are art fairs relevant, especially Art Basel? The answer is that bringing so much talent and art together in one place is nearly impossible, but a fair makes it happen. Fairs take art out of its sacred niche and allow us to experience it up close, making it more accessible. They allow us to experience the beauty humanity has to offer to the world, and Art Basel has the magic to make this a reality. Also, Art Basel produces market devices that create the knowledge ecology necessary for gallerists to evaluate works of art and place the right value on artists to position them in the global art market.
Art Basel is a hub that facilitates the creation of worldwide connections for the gallerists, artists andcollectors. And the perfect place for the “creation of a particular buzz”.(3)
(1) https://swissartawards.ch(2) Fair Art, How Art Fairs Influence the Secondary Art Market, fairart.com, https://fairart.com/editorial/guide/how-fairs-influence-the-secondary-art-market/126(3) Tina Haisch, & Max-Peter Menzel, Temporary Markets: Market devices and processes of valuation at three Basel art fairs. Article in Environement and Planning A. April 2023. p. 239