Art Basel, which opens to the public this week, is one of the biggest art-market moments of the year. But it is Unlimited, Art Basel’s distinctive platform for large-scale projects, that places a special emphasis on big. This year, the Messeplatz hosts 70 large-scale artworks ranging from a hanging sculpture made from a shipping container by Kennedy Yanko to a monumental 1988 painting by Keith Haring.
This year’s edition is curated by Giovanni Carmine, director of the Kunst Halle Sankt Gallen. Unlike last year’s outing, which reflected the market’s current obsession with painting by focusing largely on 2D work, this display manages to take a bit more advantage of the 3D space. Videos, installations, sculptures, and (yes) paintings are on view by the likes of Theaster Gates, Francis Alÿs, Jenny Holzer, Rebecca Horn, Martha Rosler, Marianna Simnett, Wolfgang Tillmans, and many more.
“Unlimited 2022 is decidedly intense, no less a reflection on the contradictory era in which we live,” Carmine said in a statement, “A powerful expression of this is the polymorphous chorus of artistic voices in this exhibition, singing in protest against isolation, loneliness, and indifference. The chants are becoming louder and ever-more discernible.”
See highlights of the fan-favorite section below.
Andrea Zittel, A-Z Personal Unifrms, 2nd Decade: Fall Winter 2003–Spring/Summer 2013. Courtesy Regen Projects
Liu Wei, Dimension (2021). Courtesy Whitechapel.
Louisa Gagliardi, Tate-a-Tate (2022). Courtesy Eva Presenhuber and Dawid Radziszewski, in collaboration with Rudolphe Janssen
Kennedy Yanko, By Means Other Than the Known Senses (2022). Courtesy Vielmetter Los Angeles
Folkert de Jong, The Shooting….1st of July (2006). Courtesy Sofie Van de Velde
Folkert de Jong, The Shooting….1st of July (2006). Courtesy Sofie Van de Velde
Martha Rosler, Body Beautiful, or Beauty Knows No Pain, ca. 1966–72. Courtesy Nagel Draxler.
Michelangelo Pistoletto, Porte Uffizi (2003). Courtesy of LGDR and Galleria Continua.
Theaster Gates, Hardware Store Painting (2020/2022). Courtesy Gray
Hanne Darboven, OST-West-Demokratie (1983). Photo by Dorian Batycka.
Huang Yong Ping, American Kitchen and Chinese Cockroaches (2019). Courtesy Kamel Mennour.
Rachel Whiteread, Untitled (Upstairs) (2001). Courtesy Gagosian.
Isabella Ducrot, Omaggio a Mishima (Homage to Mishima) (2016). Courtesy Gisela Capitain and Standard.
Isabella Ducrot, Omaggio a Mishima (Homage to Mishima) (2016). Courtest Gisela Capitain and Standard.
Antonio Molinero, Sans Titre (Vivasse) (2022). Courtesy Christophe Gaillard.
Thomas Price, Moments Contained (2022). Photo by Dorian Batycka.
Jim Shaw, Not Since Superman Died (2014). Courtesy Gagosian.
Cui Jie, People’s Square (2022). Photo by Dorian Batycka.
Andra Ursuta, Vandal Lust (2011/2022). Courtesy David Zwirner.
Raphaela Vogel, The (Missed) Education of Miss Vogel (2021). Courtesy BQ.
Juan Muñoz, Three Chinese (1999). Photo by Dorian Batycka.
Mounira Al Solh, Lackadaisical Sunset to Sunset (2022). Courtesy Sfeir Semler.
Keith Haring, Untitled, May 7 (1988). Photo by Dorian Batycka.
Jim Shaw, Not Since Superman Died (2014). Photo by Dorian Batycka.
Stano Filko, Environement S.FILKLINIC.DEATHS.F. (2006). Courtesy Layr.
Stano Filko, Environement S.FILKLINIC.DEATHS.F (2006). Courtesy Layr.