Art Basel 2023: Celebrating the Finest Artistic Talents Across Continents
Art Basel 2023: Celebrating the Finest Artistic Talents Across Continents
The history of Art Basel
Founded in 1970 by Swiss gallerists Ernst Beyeler, Trudl Bruckner, and Balz Hilt, this prestigious art fair emerged in Basel, Switzerland, drawing over 16,000 attendees it instantly established itself as a force to be reckoned with. In 2002 fueled by an unwavering belief in Miami’s potential as a multicultural hub, they launched the first sister fair, Art Basel Miami Beach, drawing over 30,000 attendees that had the good taste to combine their appreciation for art, sun and glittery parties.
Art Basel – highlights
Unlimited curated by Giovanni Carmine, director of the Kunst Halle Sankt Gallen
This year, 76 large-scale installations celebrating context and its power, were exhibited. From Monica Bonvicini’s psychosexual study of how space leads behaviour in ‘Never Again’ (2005), to Firelei Báez’s rethinking of the ruins of San-Souci Palace in northern Haiti.
Parcours curated by Samuel Leuenberger
With a brilliant mix of installations and site-specific projects, the theme ‘Word of Mouth’ reflected upon the current state of art-making as a means of expressing and translating social and political communication. One particular highlight for us was Laure Prouvost’s captivating new video work, ‘No More Front Tears’ (2022), exploring notions of migrations by humans, as well as animals and plants.
Conversations curated by Emily Butler
Conversations brought together some of the most inspiring cultural figures and thought leaders on the subjects of care, collectivity, and connectivity. During one of the panels, Gallerist Amrita Jhaveri, economists Dr. Clare McAndrew, and Sophie Perceval shared their insights and reflections on the slow rise in representation of women artists in The Art Basel and possible paths towards significant change.
Pilar Corrias Gallery, Booth R3
London gallery Pilar Corrias brought a playful and diverse range of works to its display and while they were all equally worth your time, the 1,500 bright orange Mylar balloons in the shape of speech bubbles floating on the ceiling, by artist Phillippe Parreno, stole the show.
Gallery Hyundai, Booth G13
While Lee Ufan is well known to art buffs for his paintings on canvases, fewer may be familiar with his more experimental side or work with ceramics. The ceramics in the exhibition, a series of large-scale plates and vases made by artist colleague Park Young-sook, reconfigure Ufan’s vertical marks and swirling lines, typical of his signature minimalist style.
We hope you enjoyed our cover, and look forward to Art Basel Miami in December as much as we do!