Spotlight on Art Basel 2013

Art Basel, the summer’s art destination, will take place in Switzerland from June 13 to 16, 2013.

Untitled (2x2 seriography set) by Manfred Mohr

Manfred Mohr, Untitled (2×2 seriography set), 1968, bitforms gallery, New York, NY

Art Basel, the art world’s summer destination since 1970, will take place in Halls 1 and 2 of Messe Basel, in MesseplatzBaselSwitzerland, fromJune 13 to 16, 2013. The fair’s 44th edition boasts over 300 participating galleries, who will show works by over 4,000 Contemporary, Modern, and emerging artists. The tens of thousands of visitors from around the world who flock to the picturesque Swiss city will not only be able to enjoy impressive works in every imaginable medium, but will also be able to experience the diverse artistic offerings of Basel.

Made For You by Barbara Kruger

Barbara Kruger, Made For You, 2013, Sprüth Magers Berlin London, Berlin, Germany

The largest sector of the fair will showcase 230 of the world’s leading galleries displaying high-caliber Modern and Contemporary pieces. Participating galleries include Jörg Maass Kunsthandel (Berlin, Germany), who will display a survey of German Expressionists, and Lehmann Maupin (New York, NY), who will exhibit a selection of Contemporary pieces from gallery artists.

Kinderzimmer / Nursery by Thomas Demand

Thomas Demand, Kinderzimmer / Nursery, 2011, PKM Gallery, London, UK

The Feature sector of the show will spotlight a smaller number of galleries exhibiting solo artist presentations or specially curated booths that focus on specific thematic elements. For example, bitforms’ (New York, NY) booth will present a survey of works by Manfred Mohr (German, b.1938), one of the forerunners of digital art.
Emblem (Figure of Three) by Jenni Tischer

Jenni Tischer, Emblem (Figure of Three), 2013, Krobath, Vienna, Austria

If you are looking for artists on the cutting-edge of the emerging art scene, be sure to check out the Statements sector, which will feature solo projects by young artists. Each year, two artists from Statements are the recipients of the Baloise Art Prize. The winning artists will have pieces acquired by the Baloise Group, which will then be donated to important European art institutions.
Peinado II by Los Carpinteros

Los Carpinteros, Peinado II, 2013, Galerie Peter Kilchmann, Zurich, Switzerland

Collectors interested in prints and multiples should stop by the Edition sector to see booths that will feature presentations of editioned works by galleries specializing in multiples.

A more interactive art experience can be had at either the Unlimited or Parcours sectors. The Unlimited sector, curated by Gianni Jetzer, will feature pieces by artists such as Sean Scully (American/Irish, b.1945),Antony Gormley (British, b.1950), and Carl Andre (American, b.1935) that are too large to be presented in a traditional art fair booth. The Parcours sector, curated by Florence Derieux, will expand the walls of the fair into the city, and will include site-specific works and performances throughout Basel’s Klingental neighborhood. Parcours will be open to the public for the duration of the fair.

Throughout the week, Art Basel will also feature a program of films, booths boasting selections from a variety of international art publications, and both morning and afternoon lecture series covering a wide breadth of art topics.

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