Art Basel has revealed the exciting highlights of its 2022 edition in Basel. The renowned art fair will feature a wide range of engaging and thought-provoking artworks and installations, showcasing the diversity of the contemporary art scene.
One of the prominent sections is Unlimited, which offers a platform for large-scale projects. Curated by Giovanni Carmine, Director of the Kunst Halle Sankt Gallen, Unlimited will present 70 expansive installations, monumental sculptures, wall paintings, photographic series, and video projections. The artworks transcend the traditional art fair setup, providing a unique and immersive experience for visitors.
Among the highlights of Unlimited are Yael Bartana’s video work “Malka Germania,” Stano Filko’s immersive installation “Environment S.FILKLINIC.DEATHS.F,” and a mural installation by Theaster Gates titled “Hardware Store Painting.” Other notable artists featured in Unlimited include Anna Maria Maiolino, Thomas J Price, Mary Lovelace O’Neal, Gerhard Richter, Barthélémy Toguo, Kennedy Yanko, and Andrea Zittel.
Parcours, the public sector of Art Basel, will showcase 21 site-specific installations and performances across Basel’s city center. Curated by Samuel Leuenberger, founder of the non-profit exhibition spaces SALTS, Parcours explores the theme of “How to Grow in Times of Change.” The installations and performances will be presented in civic and private spaces, as well as new venues in the city center, offering an interactive and engaging experience for the public.
Some highlights of Parcours include Anna Hulačová’s sculptural installation “Edible, Beautiful, Untamed,” Alicja Kwade’s bronze sculptures titled “SIÈGE DU MONDE,” and Matthew Lutz-Kinoy’s paintings and site-specific installation. Puppies Puppies will present a sculptural installation and performance in the city center, and Tomás Saraceno will exhibit his sculpture “Silent Autumn (AB Aur b/M+M).” The Parcours Night event will provide an opportunity for visitors to experience live performances in unique locations throughout Basel’s city center.
In homage to the late American conceptual artist Lawrence Weiner, Basel’s Messeplatz will feature a participatory floor installation called “Out of Sight.” This installation, modeled on a hopscotch grid, aims to inspire visitors to visualize and physically engage in positive thinking using Weiner’s signature typographic texts.
The Film program, curated by Filipa Ramos, will showcase a selection of works by important artists working with moving images. The program includes surveys by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Sky Hopinka, and Tala Madani. Additionally, a feature-length documentary film on African-American art history titled “Black Art: In the Absence of Light” will be screened, marking its Swiss cinematic premiere.
Art Basel’s Conversations series, curated by Emily Butler, will provide a platform for discussions on various topics related to the global contemporary art scene. The program will feature 46 speakers across 12 panels, including artists, gallerists, collectors, curators, museum directors, and critics. Highlights of the Conversations program include conversations with artists Zineb Sedira and Latifa Echakhchin, collectors Füsun Eczacıbaşı and Marguerite Hoffman, and writer Manthia Diawara and artist Ellen Gallagher.
Art Basel, in partnership with UBS, will take place at Messe Basel from June 16 to 19, 2022. With its extensive range of artworks, installations, films, and conversations, the fair aims to provide an enriching and immersive experience for art enthusiasts and the public alike.
Pascal Grenacher, Editor in Chief