Tina Kim Illuminates the 6 Best of Basel in June

The illustrious Tina Kim founded her namesake gallery in 2001 in New York, and ever since then has been a guiding light in the international art landscape, elevating diverse artists, independently curated presentations, and sweeping historical exhibitions. Providing a beaming platform for Korean Dansaekhwa artists, Kim spearheaded a pivotal show at the 56th Venice Biennale in 2015, and has driven forward the collection of captivating work by Korean artists at the world’s premier art institutions, including MoMA, Guggenheim, Art Institute of Chicago, LACMA, Tate, and M+. With a pure spirit of exploration and forging meaningful connections, Kim imparts to Whitewall her dynamic itinerary, the gallery’s inaugural Art Basel booth, and energizing annual rituals. 

WHITEWALL: What are you looking forward to in Basel in June during the fairs?

TINA KIM: My itinerary during fairs season actually begins the weekend prior with a trip to Zurich. I often look forward to attending the openings and visiting the museums there before going to Basel. Once I arrive, I start with the Liste Art Fair in the morning. It’s nice to meet young, emerging gallerists. Afterwards, I attend the opening of Art Basel Unlimited to see everyone and catch up with old friends. In addition to the fairs, I’m especially looking forward to Regula Humm’s solo exhibition “The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos” at der TANK in the Institute Art Gender Nature, Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW.

WW: What do you have your eye on at the fairs?

TK: The large installations are particularly impressive. The atmosphere is incredibly lively, and it’s exciting to see the other presentations at Art Basel. This is my gallery’s first time exhibiting in Basel with our own dedicated booth. I’m thrilled to make our debut this year with an international group of women artists who weave and infuse unconventional materials into their practices to urgently respond to marginalization and catastrophe on a global and personal scale. We are presenting works by Mire Lee, Pacita Abad, Suki Seokyeong Kang, Maia Ruth Lee, Minouk Lim, Jennifer Tee, and the newest artist to join our roster, Lee ShinJa.

WW: What are the exhibitions on your must-see list?

TK: I always visit Fondation Beyeler and Kunstmuseum Basel when I’m in town. Kunstmuseum Basel is showing “Ingenious Women: Women Artists and their Companions,” and I’m fond of strolling through their permanent collection galleries as well. Fondation Beyeler has a group exhibition called “Dance with Daemons” that takes over the whole museum and its surrounding park with contemporary art. It was refreshing to see the space transformed by experimental presentations. 

“The atmosphere is incredibly lively, and it’s exciting to see the other presentations at Art Basel,” — Tina Kim

WW: Where are you go-to places to grab a bite or drink after the fairs/opening?

TK: My favorite restaurant in Basel is Teufelhof, but I also enjoy having lunch at the cafe in Fondation Beyeler. My go-to order is the white asparagus with ham. After the fair, I like to embark on a short trip to Black Forest in Germany. I’ve made it an annual ritual to go for a traditional German meal and stay at Spielweg, a lovely family-run hotel.

Tina Kim’s June in Basel Favorites:

1.  Explore the 29th Edition of Liste Art Fair

A pioneering art fair that showcases young generations of galleries into the art scene, Liste Art Fair Basel 2024 opens its doors from June 11–June 16. Also accessible online, the fair extends its new gallery presentations into a global network. The fair marks Liste’s 29th year in action since its founding in 1996. 

2. Visit Regula Humm’s “The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos” at der TANK

The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos 1 shows four important textile works and a selection of mostly recent paintings and drawings by the artist Regula Humm (born 1929 in Wädenswil) in an exhibition display by the artist Kathrin Siegrist (lives in Basel). The Five Questions (2002), one of the most emblematic series by Regula Humm, is a survey of the nature of energy: the energy of the earth and the human effort to possess it, to “win” it; spiritual energy; cosmic energy; artificially generated energies and the climate.  — Source

3. Journey through Tina Kim Gallery’s Booth Showcasing Women Artists at Art Basel

Born in Uljin, Korea in 1930, Lee ShinJa’s career first began in 1954, a period marked by several challenges for the artist. Korea was still early in its recovery after the war, craft art was not yet recognized as a serious art form, and female artists were struggling to gain recognition amid gender inequality. Her practice is characterized by a departure from craft traditions, driving innovations in embroidery, dyeing, weaving, and tapestry. This spirit of experimentation led Lee to use unusual materials like burlap sacks and the yarn of used sweaters; techniques like the pulling, twisting, and unraveling of thread add texture to her work. — Source

4. Embark on Kunstmuseum Basel’s “Ingenious Women: Women Artists and their Companions” 

A joint endeavor initiated by the Bucerius Kunst Forum Hamburg and the Kunstmuseum Basel, the exhibition showcases works by eighteen women artists, contextualizing them for the first time with those of their fathers, brothers, husbands and teachers: This series of focused juxtapositions, creative and thematic parallels and divergences are presented in truly fascinating form. Against the background of societal and familial milieu, Ingenious Women brings together portraits, history paintings, still lifes, drawings and graphic arts dating from the Renaissance, Baroque and Classicist epochs. — Source

5. Experience the Joy of Dining at Teufelhof

The house with hotel, theater, restaurant atelier, restaurant Bel Etage, bar & coffee, brewery and a wine shop is located in the middle of the old town of Basel, in two merged, historic townhouses from the 18th century. Century. As a popular meeting place, the house combines history and tradition with an artistic, modern and thus urban ambience. — Source

6. Adventure to the Nearby Black Forest in Germany and Stay at Spielweg

Already in the sixth generation, Kristin and Viktoria Fuchs provide a breath of fresh air and wild stories and discoveries in the Romantik Hotel and Restaurant Spielweg. The guests experience a bright team that sets new impulses every day. Hotel rooms and suites for every taste. Cooking skills that testify to a young ambitious signature. Countless spaces and places that want to be discovered. Hikes, as only insiders recommend. No season that has no special features to offer here. Pool at the Wildbach, cooking classes, children’s paradise, fireplace, indoor pool, wellness, sauna, sun terrace, kitchen party … — Source