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Already renowned for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant art scene, the city of Basel becomes a hub for art enthusiasts during the fair, with thought-provoking conversations, public art installations, cultural events across the city and more…

This year Art Basel brings together 289 galleries from 42 different countries and territories. Among them, 20 new galleries from Europe, Asia, and the Americas will be making their first appearance, adding to the event's diversity and excitement. The Unlimited sector will once again provide a stage for 67 grand-scale installations and performances that go beyond the conventional art fair booth. Additionally, Art Basel will introduce the Premiere sector, offering galleries a unique platform to display bold, cutting-edge works created in the last five years by up to three outstanding artists.

Activating the Messeplatz public space at the entrance to the fair, renowned artist Katharina Grosse will transform it into a vivid chromatic environment. Her large scale spray painting technique enables her to work quickly and intuitively, blending colors and shapes in a way that challenges traditional notions of painting and space. Grosse, who is represented in the �۶���Ƶ Art Collection, emphasizes the physicality of paint and the act of painting itself, inviting viewers to experience its results an immediate and visceral way.

The fair’s Parcours sector dedicated to freely accessible public art installations will return in 2025, curated by Stefanie Hessler. This edition will center on the theme of 'Second Nature', bringing together artists and works that explore the increasingly blurred boundaries between nature and artifice. Parcours locations will be dotted along Clarastrasse, towards the Rhine, including the former Hotel Merian, transforming the urban environment into a captivating journey of artistic discovery. One of the installations, in the vitrine of the �۶���Ƶ Geschäftstelle, at Clarastrasse 2, will feature new works by Agniezska Kurant. A fascinating sculpture, ‘Semiotic Life (2022/25)’ entangles a living Bonsai with its algorithmically predicted, optimized future form, prodding the tree to grow according to its foretold path. In its background, paintings mixing liquid glass with metal salts used in computer components give “life” to surprising non-organic chemical gardens.

As part of Art Basel’s Conversations series, �۶���Ƶ will also convene “Collecting for a purpose: corporations and cultural institutions,” a public talk with Dr. Anne Vieth, Head of Mercedes-Benz Art Collection, Cathérine Hug, Curator at Kunsthaus Zürich and Mary Rozell, Global Head of the �۶���Ƶ Art Collection. The talk takes place on Thursday, 19 June at 4 p.m. in the Art Basel Auditorium and is moderated by Matthew Newton, Art Advisory Specialist on the Family Office Solutions team at �۶���Ƶ. The panel will explore the challenges and opportunities in building and maintaining significant art collections, as well as their impact on brand identity and public engagement.

Here are a few other highlights for your itinerary:

Fondation Beyeler, in Riehen, a short walk from the "Fondation Beyeler" stop on tram 6. This museum is home to one of the most impressive collections of modern and contemporary art in Europe. Nestled in a beautiful park setting, the Fondation Beyeler offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of Art Basel. From June 15, the museum will present a comprehensive solo exhibition of the artist Vija Celmins , featuring masterful paintings, drawings, and sculptures. Celmins’ visual language is subtle yet powerful, focusing on everyday objects, natural landscapes and their rich surfaces, as well as scenes of disaster and war. The exhibition includes a loan of three artworks from the �۶���Ƶ Art Collection.

Kunstmuseum Basel, renowned for its exceptional collection of fine art, the Kunstmuseum provides a unique opportunity to view works from both emerging and established artists. During Art Basel, the museum will feature a retrospective exhibition of the revolutionary sculptor Medardo Rosso (1858-1928). A sculptor, photographer, and master of artistic staging, Rosso was a rival to Auguste Rodin and a role model for numerous artists. Despite his significant influence, Rosso remains relatively unknown today. This comprehensive exhibition at the Kunstmuseum Basel offers a rare chance to explore his oeuvre, enduring impact on subsequent generations of artists and radical legacy.

For book lovers, or more precisely, for lovers of artist books, the I Never Read, Art Book Fair Basel is a little must. Exhibitors focus on artworks in the form of book, art-related publications, rare and out of print finds and editions. Free to the public, the event creates a platform for dialog and interaction between publishers, contemporary artists and visitors and is committed to open and low threshold art mediation. The opening reception is on Wednesday evening, at Kaserne Basel, on Klybeckstrasse.

Whether you're an avid art collector, a curious enthusiast, or simply looking to experience Basel's cultural vibrancy, these events offer a diverse and enriching experience. Make sure to add them to your itinerary to fully enjoy the artistic flair that Basel has to offer during Art Basel.