What is Art Basel, the contemporary art event?

WHAT IS THE CONCEPT OF ART BASEL?

Art Basel is an annual international event of modern and contemporary art organized in Basel, Switzerland, Miami, USA, Hong Kong, China and since 2022 in Paris. It features exhibitions of current contemporary works created by artists from around the world.

Over the course of a few days, rich in encounters and events, we have the opportunity to familiarize ourselves with contemporary artistic creation in all its forms. A wide range of works, selected for their quality and diversity, from the avant-garde of the early 20th century to the most recent creations, are on display. The objective is also to encourage the weaving of links and the emergence of partnerships between the different actors of the world of culture on an international scale. Everyone can come to Art Basel to marvel, broaden their horizons and make discoveries. But it is also the meeting place for many buyers, artists, collectors, gallery owners and other art exhibitors.

All forms of art are represented at the fair: painting, sculpture, installation, video, multiples, prints, photography and performance art. Exhibitions are organized by sectors, each dedicated to a particular type of gallery, artwork or artist. For an artist, being exhibited at Art Basel is a consecration, a moment of glory and above all the recognition of his or her work by the milieu and a fortiori in the art market.

ART BASEL AND CONTEMPORARY ART FAIRS

The Basel-based communications giant organizes Art Basel every year, a leading international event for the visibility of current art. Art Basel (Basel meaning "Basel" in German) already extends beyond Switzerland's borders. In addition to Basel, its home town, Art Basel is held every year in Miami and Hong Kong. The aim is to present contemporary art and to encourage encounters.

Art Basel, Switzerland

Art Basel was founded in 1970 by Basel gallerists Ernst Beyeler, Trudl Bruckner and Balz Hil. In its inaugural year, the Basel fair attracted more than 16,000 visitors who viewed works presented by 90 galleries from ten countries. Thirty art publishers also participated. In 1975, five years after its inception, the Basel Fair had nearly 300 exhibitors. Participating galleries came from 21 countries, attracting 37,000 visitors. Under the direction of Marc Spiegler, the 2019 Basel Fair attracted 93,000 visitors over six days. It featured 290 galleries from 35 countries, exhibiting the work of over 4,000 artists.

A total of 19 galleries exhibited in Basel for the first time. Alongside private collectors from Europe, America and Asia, representatives and groups from over 400 museums and institutions were present. In 2020, the 50th edition of the Basel fair was first postponed to September, then cancelled after many dealers cited travel and security concerns in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2021, Art Basel announced its return in person from September 24-26. 273 exhibitors participated, including more than 20 for the first time.

Art Basel , Miami Beach, Florida

Art Basel Miami Beach was first presented in 2002 under the direction of Sam Keller. Under the leadership of Noah Horowitz, Art Basel's director for the Americas, the 2019 show, held in Miami Beach, Florida, featured 269 galleries from 29 countries. Over the course of five days, the fair attracted 81,000 visitors, with 20 galleries exhibiting in Miami Beach for the first time. The 2020 edition, which was scheduled to take place in December, was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. It took place from December 2 to 5, 2021.

Art Basel, Hong Kong

In 2008, MCH Group, Angus Montgomery Arts and event organizer Tim Etchells launched Art HK, sparking investor interest in Hong Kong. MCH bought it out in 2013 to create Art Basel Hong Kong, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The 2019 Hong Kong exhibition, directed by Adeline Ooi, attracted a record 88,000 visitors, including directors, curators, trustees and patrons from more than 130 major international museums and institutions. There were 242 galleries from 35 countries and territories on display. The 2020 edition of the fair was cancelled due to the spread of the coronavirus.

The 2021 edition of the Hong Kong fair was held from May 19 to 23 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre with 104 galleries from around the world.

Art Basel, Paris

In mainland France, Art Basel has taken the place of FIAC in 2022. Indeed, the heavyweight MCH has won the bid to organize the fair for the next seven years, with an investment capacity equal to that of an international fair. While some French gallery owners are concerned about the consequences of such a switch in terms of participation costs and diversity, the RMN-Grand Palais is reassuring. The institution says it will keep a watchful eye and ensure compliance with criteria that guarantee the plurality of works presented and participants. Financial power would thus be the guarantee of a renewed dynamism.

ART BASEL INITIATIVES

Art Basel's initiatives focus on the art world at large. Art Basel has three main initiatives: Art Basel Cities, BMW Art Journey, Crowdfunding and The Art Market.

Art Basel Cities is a project between Art Basel and cities around the world to create cultural events and programming throughout the year Art Basel, local arts stakeholders in the city and city officials will sit down together and develop a program in line with the city's medium- and long-term cultural development goals This initiative was launched at the 2016 edition of Art Basel in Hong Kong. Cities interested in the collaboration must apply via an online questionnaire. The first partner city is Buenos Aires.

The BMW Art Journey Award is a scholarship that supports emerging creatives and allows them to make an artistic journey of their own definition. In 2015, it was created by BMW and Art Basel to reward promising artists from the Discoveries sector in Hong Kong and the Positions sector in Miami Beach. The chosen artist can select the destination and travel almost anywhere in the world to explore new ideas, discover new themes and create new work. A winner is selected twice a year from a list of three finalists at Art Basel in Hong Kong and Miami Beach.

The Crowdfunding Initiative is a partnership between Kickstarter and Art Basel to provide visibility and generate support for projects from nonprofit organizations around the world. Projects include artist residencies, educational programs, public installations and other innovative art projects. They are selected by an independent jury of three experts in the nonprofit art world.

The Art Market is an annual analysis of the global art market. It covers all aspects of the international market and highlights the most important developments of the previous year. The first report was published in 2017.

ART HISTORY BASEL

In the 1970s, Basel gallerists Ernst Beyeler, Trudl Bruckner and Balz Hilt created an international art fair that proved to be a success from the start. More than 16,000 visitors attended the inaugural fair to see 90 galleries and 30 publishers from 10 countries.

During the 1980s, to celebrate 150 years of photography, 16 galleries of the International Association of Photography Art Dealers present photographs spanning the history of the medium. Five thematic exhibitions of art photography followed, making Art Basel one of the art world's leading platforms for the promotion of the medium.

The 1990s take over the world of film. The Art Film section - devoted to films by and about artists - makes its debut at the Stadtkino in Basel. At the beginning of the 21st century, the Art Unlimited platform is introduced, transcending the concept of the classic exhibition stand with an open environment that welcomes all types of ambitious contemporary media. Art Basel makes its debut in Miami Beach. The first edition features 160 galleries from 23 countries and attracts 30,000 visitors. Art Basel launches Art Basel Conversations. Discussions with prominent members of the art world provide first-hand information on various aspects of collecting and exhibiting art. Panelists include art collectors, museum directors, biennial curators, artists, art critics and architects.

A decade ago, Art Basel presented its inaugural exhibition in Hong Kong and attracted more than 60,000 visitors. In September 2014, Art Basel launched its crowdfunding initiative in partnership with Kickstarter to support nonprofit visual arts organizations. During Art Basel in Hong Kong 2015, Art Basel and BMW present the first iteration of the BMW Art Journey, a joint initiative to recognize and support emerging artists worldwide.

Recently, The Art Basel Cities initiative is announced at the 2016 Art Basel in Hong Kong in March. The objective of the initiative is to develop tailored cultural offerings with a partner city. In September of the same year, Buenos Aires is announced as the first partner city. Art Basel and UBS commission a new annual art market report from Dr. Clare McAndrew. The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report covers key macro trends and offers fundamental insights into the art market. The report was published in 2017.