Art Basel‘s 2023 edition of its flagship fair in Basel concluded with resounding success, featuring exceptional presentations by 284 galleries from 36 countries and territories and a series of notable sales that unfolded throughout the week. Notably, 21 galleries made their inaugural appearance, while 12 galleries unveiled their comprehensive programs in the fair’s main sector.
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Curated by the esteemed Giovanni Carmine, Director of the Kunst Halle Sankt Gallen, the Unlimited sector stole the spotlight. Showcasing 76 awe-inspiring large-scale installations and performances, it transformed the fair into a vibrant tapestry of artistic marvels. The much-anticipated Unlimited Night on Thursday, June 15, treated attendees to extraordinary performances by Olaf Nicolai and Augustas Serapinas, extending the enchantment into the late hours.
Our flagship show has a rich history of creating a platform for the art world to convene and discover the most contemporary practices together with extraordinary historical positions, and this year was no exception. Gallery presentations were of outstanding quality and resonated strongly with the institutions and private collectors in attendance, leading to thoughtful conversations and significant sales. We are concluding the week on a high note and look forward to welcoming back the international art world to our show in June 2024.
– said Vincenzo de Bellis, Director, Fairs and Exhibition Platforms, Art Basel.
The presence of prominent private collectors from around the world, alongside representatives from over 240 esteemed institutions, underscored the fair’s global significance. Renowned institutions such as Centre Pompidou, Paris; Dia Art Foundation, New York; Guggenheim Abu Dhabi; He Art Museum, Foshan; Istanbul Modern; Kunsthaus Zurich; Kunstverein in Hamburg; Leopold Museum, Vienna; Los Angeles County Museum of Art; MACBA – Museum Of Contemporary Art Barcelona; MALBA – Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires; MAXXI, Rome; MoMA PS1, New York; Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal; Städel Museum, Frankfurt; Sursock Museum, Beirut; Palais de Tokyo, Paris; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam; Royal Commission of AlUla; San Francisco Museum of Art; Serpentine Galleries, London; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam; Tate, London; Today Art Museum, Beijing; and the Whitney Museum of Art, New York, added prestige to the event.
Messeplatz underwent a captivating transformation thanks to the visionary installation by Latifa Echakhch, a Moroccan artist based in Switzerland. The interdisciplinary artwork showcased multiple stages at different stages of construction, serving as vibrant venues for a mesmerizing lineup of live concerts and performances featuring Leila Bordreuil, Rhys Chatham, Robert Longo, Naama Tsabar, and other talented artists. This remarkable presentation was curated by Samuel Leuenberger, the esteemed Curator for Parcours at Art Basel, in collaboration with Luc Meier, Director of La Becque Artist Residency, adding an extra layer of artistic synergy and collaboration to the immersive experience.
Under the expert curation of Samuel Leuenberger, renowned for establishing the esteemed non-profit exhibition spaces SALTS in Birsfelden and Country SALTS in Bennwil, this year’s edition of Parcours exceeded all expectations. Enlivening the cityscape with creativity, a remarkable total of 24 site-specific public art projects and captivating performances were brought to life, making it the most expansive Parcours to date.
Highlighting the program, Parcours Night on Saturday, June 17, treated the public to a vibrant celebration in the bustling Münsterplatz area. The night was ablaze with festivities and awe-inspiring live performances by a lineup of extraordinary artists including Alex Baczynski-Jenkins, Noa Eshkol Chamber Dance Group, Julie Monot, Georgia Sagri, and Jacolby Satterwhite. This unforgettable evening served as a testament to the power of art in transforming public spaces into dynamic realms of expression and connection.
Art Basel’s public programming encompassed a diverse range of enriching experiences, including the thought-provoking Conversations program, curated by Emily Butler. This year, the program delved into the compelling themes of care, collectivity, and connectivity, sparking engaging dialogues among participants and attendees.
In addition, the fair’s Film program offered a captivating selection of cinema projects by extraordinary artists. Curated by Filipa Ramos, the esteemed founding curator of the online video platform Vdrome and lecturer at the Arts Institute of the FHNW in Basel, in collaboration with independent curator Marian Masone from New York, the Film program presented a series of screenings that captivated audiences with their artistic vision and storytelling prowess. Together, these programs provided a platform for exploration and reflection, expanding the horizons of artistic expression and fostering meaningful connections within the art community.
Art Basel 2023 unquestionably exceeded expectations, leaving an enduring impact on the art community and reaffirming its status as a pinnacle of artistic excellence.
Words by Vuk Cuk.
Photography Branka Jankovic for DSCENE.
