Here’s what to expect from the fair’s 2023 edition.
Switzerland’s premier edition of Art Basel is returning to Messe Basel from June 15–18, with preview days taking place on June 13 and 14. With a total of 284 international galleries in attendance, supported by Global Lead Partner UBS, this year’s edition will see the fair’s debut of the Kabinett sector, joining other presentation platforms including Galleries, Feature, Statements, Edition Unlimited, and the public art program named Parcours—curated by Samuel Leuenberger, founder of non-profit art spaces SALTS and Country SALTS.
Jamel Shabazz, “Double Trouble, Manhattan, NYC,” 1981, Chromogenic print, 30 x 24 inches; courtesy of Galerie Bene Taschen.
“We look forward to bringing the international art world together this June for another premier edition of our show in Basel, which will once again stage ambitious curated sectors both within halls and throughout the city,’ said Vincenzo de Bellis, Director of Fairs and Exhibition Platforms. “We are particularly excited to introduce Kabinett to our Basel show for the first time, offering visitors the opportunity to dive deeper into an artist’s practice through focused solo and thematic presentations within galleries’ booths.”
Look out for galleries both new and returning.
Of nearly 300 presenting art spaces, 21 will be joining for the first time—including names like acb of Budapest, Cologne’s Galerie Bene Taschen, M77 Gallery from Milan, sans titre of Paris, SMAC Art Gallery from locations in South Africa, London’s Soft Opening, Jhaveri Contemporary of Mumbai, and the New York art spaces Thomas Erben Gallery and Martos Gallery. Meanwhile, returning names include Victoria Miro, Mendes Wood DM, Skarstedt, Jack Shainman Gallery, von Bartha, Goodman Gallery, Gagosian, Acquavella Galleries, and David Zwirner, among others.
Curated Projects
Outside the main Galleries floor, visitors will find curated shows looking at art-historical projects in the Feature sector, including highlights like Company Gallery’s presentation of Colette Lumiere’s 1977 performance sleep, restaged for the fair, and a survey of the artist Sonia Delaunay spanning 1915—1979 with Galerie Zlotoski. In Statements, 18 galleries are introducing solo presentations of emerging like Stella Zhong with Chapter NY, Tolia Astakhishvili presented by LC Queisser, and new work by Bonolo Kavula with SMAC Art Gallery.
Aliza Nisenbaum, “Marissa, Pedacito de Sol,” 2023, Oil on linen, 66 x 57 inches; © Aliza Nisenbaum, photo courtesy the Artist and Anton Kern Gallery, New York.
The Basel debut of Kabinett encompasses specially-curated installations within the galleries’ main presentation booths, while Unlimited will present large-scale installations transcending the typical fair booth format. And installed on the Messeplatz, as well as in surrounding public spaces is Parcours, including special works like a video from Laure Prouvost, Noa Eshkol’s wall carpets, and musings on spirituality by Jacolby Satterwhite.
Other Highlights
Also not to be missed are the Conversations and Film programs, which are both free to the public. Emily Butler’s curation of Conversations looks at care, connectivity, and collectivity through talks with the likes of artists, gallerists, and experts (including Lubaina Himid, Amrita Jhaveri, Nolan Oswald Dennis, Es Devlin, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Khanyisile Mbongwa, and Dr. Clare McAndrew) while the lineup of films takes on sci-fi and magical realism.
Diamond Stingily, “How Did He Die,” 2016, in collaboration with Galerie Isabella Bortolozzi, Berlin, courtesy of Cabinet Gallery.
David Byrd, “Butcher Shop,” 2009, Oil on canvas, 40 x 50 inches; © David Byrd, image courtesy of the artist and Anton Kern Gallery, New York.
