Art Basel successfully concluded its 2024 edition on June 16, under the leadership of new show director Maike Cruse. This year’s event attracted an impressive 91,000 visitors, including VIPs and the general public, who were drawn to the diverse range of contemporary artworks on display. The show featured 285 galleries from 40 countries, including 22 first-time participants, and reported strong sales across all sectors of the market.
One of the standout features of Art Basel 2024 was the presentation of Agnes Denes’ “Honoring Wheatfield – A Confrontation (2024)” at Messeplatz. This installation, referencing Denes’ iconic 1980s land art work, will remain on display throughout the summer until its harvest. Additionally, the Parcours sector, reconceptualized by Stefanie Hessler, unfolded across Basel, connecting the fairgrounds to the Rhine and transforming urban spaces with site-specific installations and performances.
Art Basel expanded its public program significantly, with around-the-clock artistic events and performances at the Merian. This venue, located along the Rhine in Kleinbasel, hosted a series of evening programs curated by local and international artists, curators, and thought leaders. The lineup included contributions from notable figures such as Jenny Schlenzka and Aindrea Emelife.
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The show also marked the 30-year partnership between Art Basel and its Global Lead Partner, UBS. Christl Novakovic, Head of Wealth Management for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and Chair of the UBS Art Board, emphasized the joy of connecting with clients and the art community. UBS co-presented public installations across Basel, further integrating art into the city’s fabric. The partnership’s highlight was Petrit Halilaj‘s facade activation at the Merian, “When the sun goes away we paint the sky,” which will remain on display until January 2025.
Art Basel’s Unlimited sector, curated by Giovanni Carmine, featured 70 large-scale projects, including monumental installations, sculptures, and video projections. Highlights included Anna Uddenberg‘s “Premium Economy (2023-2024),” Henry Taylor‘s “Untitled (2022),” and Faith Ringgold‘s “The Wake and Resurrection of the Bicentennial Negro.” The Unlimited Night on June 13 allowed visitors to enjoy extended hours and special performances, with Francisco Sierra‘s artwork winning the Unlimited People’s Pick.
In addition to the main exhibitions, Art Basel introduced The Art Basel Shop, a new concept store featuring exclusive collectibles across art, design, fashion, and publishing. Curated by Sarah Andelman, the shop debuted “AB by Art Basel,” a range of apparel and accessories celebrating the fair’s visual history, and “The Artist Collection” by Christine Sun Kim. This initiative, along with the newly announced three-year global partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, shows Art Basel’s ambition to innovation and global outreach. As Art Basel looks to future shows in Paris, Miami Beach, and Hong Kong, the 2024 edition in Basel fulfilled its role as a premier event in the international art calendar.
